New Video Production Techniques for Virtual Studios

摘要

The Science & Technical Research Laboratories (STRL) has been studying the virtual studio concept with the aim of attaining new powers of visual expression for studio program productions. This study has entailed construction of new kinds of virtual studio systems, including an image-based virtual studio, the Axi-vision camera, and an "invisible light" system, together with creating new techniques, such as virtual set generation based on actual images and three-dimensional composition of and interaction between performers and virtual set images. The fruits of STRL's research have already contributed to making a wide range of program productions, including the HDTV program "Beautiful Japan Special" broadcast in January 2003 and the regular TV live program "By Your Side for 50 Years" broadcast in February 2003. The present virtual studio system is capable of generating real-time natural-looking composite images and high-quality video, even for live program productions. This paper will report on virtual studio research trends and give an overview of STRL's research and development, as well as present actual program production cases.