MIRAGE addresses all issues of television (TV) virtual production for use in broadcast, multimedia, interactivity and telepresencing concerning the following: development of virtual production tools and techniques at affordable cost; demonstration of hardware and software systems for use by traditional programme makers; integration of production techniques, definition of working practices and addressing standardization.
Virtual Production has produced two virtual studio systems in different price ranges. The first of these is MIRAGE VSS which uses laser disc for recording, storage and playout of real video or computer generated sequences for the highest broadcast quality. It uses the projects own motion camera with software support for a hundred different camera positions containing pan, tilt and zoom information with up to twenty eight user defined moves between them. It has been used to make a science series for Anglia Television, 3-dimensional video sequences and a virtual news bulletin all about MIRAGE. The second system, MIRAGE SOFTV, is a very low cost system based on Pentium personal computers (PC) and hard disc storage. Cameras are not under full motion control and pre-rendered backgrounds corresponding to different viewing angles are played out before a shot is taken to air. Company logos and commercial slogans can be played out in real-time and a video wall can be played into the picture. The system, with four cameras and fluorescent lighting in a blue studio, has been installed in a Mobile Virtual Studio. Development continues on a new high performance digital motion control system. Virtual Edit Suite is a system for the creation, control and editing of virtual programming at all stages of production and the first prototype has now been demonstrated. Stereo Images produced a 3-dimensional (stereoscopic) TV programme, Eye to Eye, with studio presentation, interview and drama and an exciting rally car location insert.