Digital Domain, a long time VFX company for the Hollywood community, has announced an end-to-end set of solutions for the creation, production and distribution of virtual reality (VR) experiences. This appears to be focused on live streaming of VR content.
Digital Domain has rounded out its VR offering with new hardware, software and cloud services, including a highly portable new spherical camera, advanced live streaming capabilities, new integrations with post-production suites and a cloud-based VR distribution platform. They think they are the only company spanning this full end-to-end range for VR.
New for NAB is a highly portable spherical camera that is optimized for live streaming 360 broadcasts and situational awareness applications. Called Kronos, it provides 4K, 60 fps video through a single cable for both power and data, allowing rapid setup and remote configuration. The camera offers 12-bit image processing, integrated 360 audio, sports gyro-stabilization, and is weather resistant
Digital Domain’s VR camera is part of its ‘end to end’ VR system
In VR production, the company offers sophisticated techniques for mixing graphics from various sources without distortion in the 360 sphere and streaming real-time spatial 3D audio. There are advanced director’s tools such as multi-camera streams and “virtual cameraman” capabilities for engaging storytelling and simplifying integration with traditional linear television. Users additionally can leverage Digital Domain’s visual effects capabilities to enrich the VR experience.
Digital Domain also unveiled a new system for managing the delivery of live and recorded VR content. Features include support for single upload and delivery to multiple destinations—mobile, web and head-mounted displays (HMDs); Platform-agnostic distribution (iOS, Android, Samsung Gear VR, PSVR, Google Daydream, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and more) Content curation, geo-fencing, adaptive delivery, interactivity hotspots and embedded ads; plus SDKs and APIs for rolling-out 360 content or embedding it into existing mobile apps and websites. – CC
