As LED-based XR is becoming increasingly used, Brainstorm has developed new features that allow for easier, faster and more integrated creation of immersive XR content specifically designed to be displayed on large LED videowalls. With these features, Brainstorm’s clients will see their XR content creation significantly accelerated when creating in-context AR in LED walls, XR Set extensions, or even backgrounds for film and drama production. Suite 5 has a dedicated interface for creating XR installations, which allows for modelling any kind of video wall, including curved, shaped and corner installations, and map the desired 3D content in such model. This facilitates the creation of virtual AR content to be directly displayed and seen by the camera with the correct perspective at all times. Also, by taking advantage of the Layers and Stacking features of InfinitySet, different renders, even with different resolutions and aspect ratios, can be mapped in a canvas of any size and aspect.

In addition, the unique integration of InfinitySet and eStudio with Unreal Engine is now even tighter, allowing for the inclusion of fully editable Brainstorm scenes and templates within an Unreal project, and vice-versa. This is especially useful when creating AR projects within Unreal, which benefit from Brainstorm’s advanced data-driven graphics and broadcast workflows compatibility. This is coupled with the acclaimed UnrealControl feature which supports editing the Unreal Projects directly within InfinitySet’s familiar interface with total ease and control of blueprints, objects and parameters. Suite 5 also features a new, redesigned internal chroma keyer that includes a new mode that embeds the Unreal Engine chroma keyer directly into InfinitySet. Brainstorm Suite 5 is fully compatible with Unreal Engine 4.27 and will be with UE 5.

“Brainstorm has been deeply involved with Augmented Reality and Virtual Production for decades now, and Suite 5 is the result of applying our expertise to the new display methods that broadcasters and filmmakers are introducing into their workflows” says Hector Viguer, Brainstorm’s COO and Engineering Director. “The advanced features of Suite 5 will allow any user to comply with any kind of VR/AR/XR requirement, regardless of how complex it is, and leaving them free to choose the production workflow they feel is best for their production, whether LED walls or chroma keying. We want to be agnostic so we can provide a solution for any requirement.”

Some other features are included, like improved HDR workflows, and better integration with robotic heads from manufacturers such as Panasonic or Sony. Also, Edison, the company’s virtual studio in a box product designed for live events and presentations, will also benefit from some of the above plus its own features as a result of its upgrade to V5.

Brainstorm Suite 5 will be available on March 1st, and will also be demonstrated at NAB 2022 at the Brainstorm booth N2608.

UNITEL decided to carry out a technological migration in favour of Brainstorm in 2019, which culminated in the electoral process of the same year. In the 2020 Elections, InfinitySet and Aston have been key to the generation of the graphics based on real-time data and their representation in the form of augmented reality shown in interaction with the channel anchors.

“Brainstorm’s technology, with InfinitySet and Aston, allows us to inform and deliver the data in an accurate, didactic and entertaining way with virtual elements, augmented reality and on-air graphics in real time with data of the result of the surveys and the official counts of the day of the election. Once again, UNITEL is a leader in the development of election graphics with the help of Brainstorm technology. We are proud to have been able to present the information in an attractive and understandable way to our audience,” says Andrés Guerra Vergara, Director of Production and Programming at UNITEL.

According to Sergio Amuchastegui, Brainstorm’s Sales Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, “UNITEL’s process in Bolivia began in March 2019 when, after more than 10 years of using a technology that is now out of the market, the Interdisciplinary group made up of UNITEL producers, engineers and, of course, administrators, decided to give Brainstorm their trust for their stations in Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba. This pandemic has not taken us away from our clients, but on the contrary, it has brought us closer every day and we continue with projects of this level that we will soon discolse”.

Despite the pandemic caused by the COVID-19, Brainstorm had the opportunity to provide online support to UNITEL’s excellent team to ensure that the latest technologies presented by the Spanish brand were used to their full potential, thus providing the best possibilities for this electoral coverage.