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.

Despite delaying the decision in the hope that NAB  2021 would be the opportunity to again meet with customers, partners, providers, and the market in general, the current situation is so uncertain in terms of travel bans, social distancing, and other health and safety measures, that Brainstorm has reluctantly decided to withdraw from the exhibition. For Brainstorm the well-being of its staff, visitors and others involved in the Show is of paramount importance, for which the decision, although extremely difficult, was made with everyone’s health and safety uppermost in mind.

Brainstorm appreciates the enormous efforts that the NAB committee has made to ensure a safe show, however we must face the fact that the situation in the wider world is outside of their control.

According to Ricardo Montesa, CEO and founder of Brainstorm, “It is with great regret that we announce this decision not to attend NAB 2021, but the safety of our staff, customers and partners is the driving force behind it, despite the new features and announcements we had in mind for the Show. Since 1995 we have been exhibiting with great success, and as members of NAB we are very much looking forward to exhibiting at NAB 2022.”

Brainstorm is already beginning to work on its participation at NAB 2022, in the hope that it will represent the return of the shows as we know them.

The Brainstorm Virtual Week will showcase a number of public and private sessions starting Monday, April 20^th, through to Friday, April 24^th, with dozens of online webinars in different time zones. Brainstorm wants to ensure that anyone in the world has access to information about new products and features at their most convenient time and date. The webinars will be focused on InfinitySet’s photorealistic virtual sets and augmented reality including Unreal Engine, broadcast virtual set workflows using InfinitySet as a hub for a number of technologies, and Aston as the most versatile 2D/3D motion graphics creation, CG and playout system, with special interest in graphics workflow environments.

According to David Alexander, Brainstorm’s Commercial Director, “we want to ensure that our customers, users and the market worldwide can receive immediate, comprehensive and updated information on our new announcements, and, most importantly, accessible on demand. Now that many countries have restrictions in social contact and working conditions, so people can’t attend the usual events in person, Brainstorm wants to maintain the communications open and the conversations flowing”.

The Brainstorm Virtual Week will allow attendees to see the products in action and hold conversations not only with Brainstorm sales representatives, but also with demo and Production Services staff. Registration is available at www.brainstorm3d.com.

Brainstorm has taken the necessary steps to ensure that our staff worldwide can work remotely to prevent contamination, so customer support, development and commercial activities will not be affected by the situation derived from any restrictions that might be taken due to the pandemic.

Communications via web, email, phone or social media will be active as usual, and our staff will be available 100% to manage any queries. We will, of course, reinforce our online channels and activities, so that users, customers and new enquiries can be attended to as they deserve, with increased online demonstrations, webinars and product information.

Last but not least, we are working with industry organizations such as the NAB, IBC, IABM and many others, as well as with our industry partners, resellers and specialized media to continue to manage current activities and adapt our communication and related strategies to guarantee the continued effectiveness of our future activities to the benefit of all those we work with.

Ricardo Montesa, Brainstorm’s CEO and founder.

The demo will show how the new Panasonic AW-UE150W/K can be seamlessly integrated in a 4K virtual studio and augmented reality workflow in conjunction with InfinitySet, Brainstorm’s acclaimed virtual set and AR solution. Such setup will demonstrate how InfinitySet can create advanced virtual set and augmented reality content using direct tracking data generated by the Panasonic AW-UE150W/K camera, which allows broadcasters of any size to create simple yet powerful AR workflows for any type of content. In combination with Brainstorm’s InfinitySet, Panasonic’s AW-UE150W/K is a powerful bundle for enhancing storytelling and providing in-context data-driven graphics with total ease and full accuracy.

Also, Brainstorm will be part of the Smart Studio Corner at the Panasonic booth. Smart Studio Corner will feature next-generation studio subsystems that realize higher efficiency and labor-saving features. These include automatic tracking of performers using 8K ROI + BlackTrax position information detection system; presentation of augmented reality (AR) using AW-UE150W/K + Tecnopoint S.r.l’s robotics and Brainstorm’s InfinitySet virtual set and augmented reality solution; and the construction of IP network studio using Live Production Suite (LPS), an MoIP system, which Panasonic proposes.

According to Héctor Viguer, Brainstorm’s CTO, “we are very pleased of partnering with Panasonic at NAB 2019, and demonstrate how the combination of Panasonic’s AW-UE150W/K and Brainstorm’s InfinitySet can effortlessly provide amazing AR content that allows broadcasters to significantly enhance their shows.”

InfinitySet, Brainstorm’s virtual set and augmented reality solution, will showcase its latest version 3.1, which includes new powerful features like real-time ray tracing, Unreal Engine 4.22 compatibility, HDR I/O, PBR, new effects and new 360-degree output, to mention just a few. InfinitySet will be the star of the show powering the main demo, which will display advanced, photorealistic augmented and mixed reality content in a highly visually engaging presentation. InfinitySet performs at its best within complex broadcast environments, being capable of working as a hub for a number of technologies and hardware required for virtual set and augmented reality operation, such as hardware chroma keyers, tracking devices, cameras, mixers and many other. This puts InfinitySet firmly at the center of the virtual operation as well as transcending the real-time broadcast boundaries by entering the series and film market by providing real-time post-production and high-end content pre-visualization. Last, but not least, InfinitySet will demonstrate a new module to enhance presentations by creating advanced AR content using material from any presentation tool, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Adobe PDF, and including keyed talents.

Aston, Brainstorm’s motion graphics creation, CG and playout solution, will also showcase version 3.1, which introduces Aston2D, a dedicated version that brings the power and heritage of Aston to dedicated 2D-only requirements. When the most sophisticated tools for 3D graphics are required, Aston provides them all, but for applications which do not require such advanced 3D features, or for designers used to 2D environments, Aston 2D is the right choice. Aston 2D does not reduce Aston’s versatility and functionality but provides all the power and capabilities of the Aston but in a two-dimensional world, and in a much more affordable format.

The graphics workflow at NAB will be completed with Neuron, Brainstorm’s broadcast graphics management solution ACA-demic, and AstonElections, the template-based elections and business graphics application. In addition, Brainstorm will also be unveiling new products and solutions for Weather, Sports analysis, presentations and interactive 360-degree content.

According to Ricardo Montesa, Brainstorm’s CEO and founder, “we are excited to be at NAB in our 25 anniversary year, which underlines how a company focused on innovation can continue to excel year after year in the dynamic and ever evolving broadcast market. So, continuing with our commitment to innovation, we will be showcasing amazing new solutions, products, features and workflows at NAB. We are especially proud to introduce real-time ray tracing, which will provide our customers with additional and ground-breaking tools to create even more engaging content for their audience.”