Virtual production is a revolutionary concept that can revolutionize the way we create content and tell stories. It allows us to produce content in a virtual environment, using real-time assets and digital landscapes. This means that we can create high-quality, engaging visuals without having to worry about scheduling or budgets.

As exciting as virtual production may sound, it requires specialized hardware. Without it, you won't be able to take advantage of the unique features and benefits of virtual production. So whether you’re an experienced filmmaker or just starting out in content creation, here are some things you need to know about the necessary hardware for virtual production.

What Hardware Is Necessary for Virtual Production?

When it comes to virtual production, you need to make sure that you have the right hardware in place. These components include an LED panel, processor, camera tracking system, PC tower, camera and media service.

Let's take a closer look at each of these elements:

• LED Panel: This is the actual screen that will display the performance of your actors in real time. It is one of the biggest parts in virtual production which has its own features and components.
• Processor: The processor helps to create the visuals that are seen on the LED panel. It is responsible for translating the data from the camera into a format that is usable by the panel.
• Camera Tracking System: This system allows the game engine to understand where your actors are in 3D space as they move around on set and provides input for their performance within the scene.
• PC Tower: This is where all of your editing can take place. You need several computers in a cluster with enough processing power in order to run the screens and handle all of the graphics and video rendering required for virtual production.
• Camera: The camera captures all of your footage and passes it through to the processor so that it can be displayed on the LED panel. The camera really completes the whole feedback loop of being able to put a graphic on the screen.
• Media Service: Media service refers to the services that support the creation and integration of virtual elements into live-action footage. This includes services such as pre-visualization, motion capture, real-time rendering, compositing, and visual effects.

Having these pieces of hardware are essential for creating professional looking virtual productions. With this setup, you will be able to create stunning virtual scenes with realistic lighting, effects, and visuals that are sure to wow any audience!

How to Choose LED Panels for Your Virtual Production?

Not every time and everywhere will you need an extremely high configuration panel considering economic issues and other relative factors. For the sake of diverse purposes, the very first step would be to look through your script and decide which feature is the most important to your work. For instance, if you want to build a sunrise set, then you will need panels that can reach a high brightness, so you can get the ideal light effect from the ceiling and the environment. And if color accuracy really matters to your makeup shooting for example, then a panel with at least a P3 color space would be your best bet as it can reproduce the most vivid and accurate color. As for a great scale LED volume that the wall is much farther from your cameras, pursuing the ultimate narrow pixel pitch may not be necessary...

There are so many different LED panels that you can choose from, it all depends on what type of virtual production you are doing or what your script set needs the most. Here are a few key factors that current producers are more concerned about when selecting an LED panel:

• Refresh Rate
• Bit Depth
• Scan Ratio
• Driver IC
• Power Consumption
• Contrast Ratio
• Color Reproduction
• ...

Once you have established what qualities fit best with your project's needs, then you can begin researching products that offer those specs or features. This will ensure that you have the hardware necessary to create a dynamic and successful virtual production.

Features Do Cameras Need to Have

Virtual production is becoming increasingly popular and developing quickly, meaning it's more important than ever to ensure your cameras are up to the task. When we think about what features your camera must have, you may bring up many of them, such as high SPD, frame rate, shutter speed control and etc. Actually, almost every professional camera gives you that ability and all you need is to know how to manipulate it.

In virtual production process, it is necessary to keep everything in sync. Because if your LED refresh rate is not in sync with your camera for instance, you're going to get some rolling lines which would greatly influent the graphic quality. Additionally mention is that there are two main categories of camera shutter – global shutter and rolling shutter. Ideally, you are using a global shutter camera. Otherwise, when rolling shutter just goes over it, you may get an artifact and linear effect if you're not syncing your shutter speed.

As a result, having Genlock is super important for your camera in virtual production though there are some tools available to re-times the effective refresh rates. Genlock really ties your entire system together from GPU to the camera to LED no matter what brands they are from, enabling you to have a reliable workflow on set.

Things About Camera Tracking You Should Know

Camera tracking and 3D rendering are essential requirements when it comes to virtual production. To make the most of the technology, it is important to be aware of some of the fundamentals associated with camera tracking.

From the perspective of tracking methods, camera tracking can be divided into two categories - outside-in tracking and inside-out tracking. The outside-in tracking is an optical-based system that looks like placing a bunch of ‘security cameras’ around the designated capture area and they're looking in to figure out where the position of the cameras. The inside-out tracking system is an absolute-based system, referring to tracking the movement of a person or object by placing sensors on the person or object, and motion capture is achieved by using sensors to "look outside" to survey the environment and calculate changes in position.

Different system has different pros and cons. As related technology is becoming more and more mature, practically, deciding which one to choose really depends on the specific project requirements rather than a general rule.

Summary

All in all, virtual production capabilities are growing quickly and becoming more and more accessible with the right hardware. If you're looking to try out this exciting new process, make sure you have the right tools in place. With the right hardware, you can join the revolution and bring your creative vision to life. So, get your gear ready and start experimenting with virtual production today!