Information & Display Systems has created a high definition 3D graphics package with Brainstorm Multimedia’s eStudio 3D render engine for IBM to use at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, writes David Fox.
The tailor-made TV graphics service for the BBC and international TV to provide on-screen information has been created by IDS in the eStudio real-time graphics software, to be used with both the HD and stereo 3D productions.
The design is specifically for tennis, and was created with the aid of Unreel, Brainstorm’s North American partner, based on a joint review with IBM of the latest BBC Graphics design. It subsequently produced a Wimbledon Graphics Reference Guide that was used to build the Brainstorm graphics package. Pictured is an image of Roger Federer with bio IDS graphics.
In January, IDS conducted parallel testing at the Australian Open, and a full technology test was conducted by the All England Lawn Tennis Club in April. The graphics package incorporates the full 3D design and animations used by the BBC but is adjusted to reflect the look, feel and colours of Wimbledon.
IDS is working with IBM to provide not just the broadcast graphics but also the systems, software and staff to produce the graphics from multiple courts, live, throughout the fortnight.
The Brainstorm eStudio engine is controlled by IDS TV interface and control applications. The systems are configured as ‘dual pipe or channel’ systems with two real-time outputs going live to air. The graphics have a good deal of movement and rotation and also utilise flares, reflection maps, etc., all of which were created natively in Brainstorm and do not use any movie files, or components built in other packages,” explained IDS President Rallis Pappas.
“Our aim is to always provide the fastest real-time broadcast-quality graphics to generate reflections, complex textures, and shadows and we can only achieve this with Brainstorm’s eStudio engine,” added Unreel CEO, Paul Lacombe.
eStudio drives Brainstorm’s complete product range, and its graphics engine is claimed to be the fastest currently available, thanks to being highly optimised for multithreaded programmes running on computer systems with multiple CPUs. It is claimed to be the only graphics system that enables design and real-time playout of virtual studios as well as an unlimited range of on-air graphics.
