Fundamentals of XR Production
What is XR?
Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), representing a wide spectrum of hardware, software, and experiences that combine the digital and physical worlds. XR production involves creating content and applications that blend real-world and digital elements to create immersive experiences for users. Unlike traditional media, XR places users inside the experience, letting them interact with a three-dimensional environment. With the rapid advancement of extended reality (XR) technologies, the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds are constantly blurring.
At the forefront of this revolution is XR Production, a cutting-edge field that combines creativity and technology to craft awe-inspiring experiences that blur the line between reality and illusion. XR production can utilize technologies such as LED video walls, green screens and chroma-key effects together with virtual sets and camera tracking to simulate a virtual world within a broadcast studio setting. The applications for XR are numerous, everything from the broadcast and entertainment industries to science research and healthcare training can benefit greatly from the transformative nature of XR. This blog post outlines the basics of XR production, explores the unique characteristics of AR, VR, and MR, and explores the applications best suited for XR production.
Understanding VR, AR, and MR
To completely grasp the concept of XR you’ll need to understand the experiences that can be created with XR production and how they differ from each other. Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in a completely virtual environment that is disconnected from the real world. Using head-mounted displays, like the Meta Quest or HTC Vive, VR creates a simulated environment that can replicate or completely differ from the real world. Augmented Reality (AR), on the other hand, overlays digital content onto the real world through devices like smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses, enhancing the user’s perception of reality without replacing it. In this year’s Super Bowl, CBS used AR graphics composited over shots of Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium to convey important information about the game like the score or player stats.
Another aspect of XR is Mixed Reality (MR), which blends VR and XR to produce new environments and experiences where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real-time You’ve probably seen newscasts where anchors are standing in a physical space and interacting with 3D graphics around them displaying pertinent information; this is a great example of MR. Mixed Reality is useful in fields like education and research where training environments can be created virtually, with students and scientists using physical and virtual tools together for learning. MR technologies are still emerging, with new products such as the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro showing promise with what can be done when merging VR and AR. XR production requires understanding of the specific features and capabilities of each technology (VR, AR or MR) to create unique, immersive and interactive experiences.
Fundamentals of XR Production
Since the applications for XR are numerous, you’ll need to tune your XR production based on the target audience and specific experience you want to present. First you need to figure out who your audience is and what is the purpose of the experience, whether it’s for entertainment, education, training, or marketing. Much like creating a video game, designing for XR involves creating 3D models, environments, and animations, as well as considering user interaction and interface design to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience. Developing content for XR requires programming skills, often in languages like C# or C++, and familiarity with XR development platforms such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
An essential component of XR development used to create realistic and immersive experiences is camera tracking. Camera tracking is technology that enables your XR system to replicate your real-world camera movements into the digital world. For broadcast studios, camera tracking used in tandem with virtual set solutions like Brainstorm’s InfinitySet, which utilizes 3D rendering software and chroma-key effects or LED panels to create a virtual set that talent can move around in and interact with. With camera tracking, your camera movements are tracked in physical space, ensuring the camera’s perspective matches the 3D render displayed on your chroma-key composite or LED Wall. Ikan’s XR production tripod system, the EG25XR-PRO, uses encoders placed on the camera’s lens and inside the tripod head to record focus, zoom, pan and tilt data, which is then sent to your virtual production software via the FreeD protocol. Soon to be released, the XR-H44P-DT130, another camera tracking solution by Ikan utilizes encoders on a track and dolly system to transmit the positional data of your camera as well as focus, zoom, pan & tilt data.
Applications Best Suited for XR Production
XR technology has applications in a diverse range of fields, each benefiting from the immersive and interactive nature of these experiences. Education and training are among the top sectors leveraging XR to provide hands-on learning and simulation-based training, enabling learners to practice skills in a safe and controlled environment. In healthcare, XR is used for surgical training, patient education, and therapy. XR production is transforming the broadcast industry with the ability to integrate augmented and mixed reality effects to the broadcast and the use of completely virtual sets, eliminating the need for costly set construction. A popular use case for XR is in the entertainment industry, where XR production is used to create immersive gaming experiences and virtual experiences such as live-streaming concerts and sporting events in VR. XR is also making significant impacts in retail with the ability to virtually try-on clothes and in real estate with virtual property tours, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction.
XR production represents a cutting-edge blend of creativity, technology, and user experience design. By understanding the distinct characteristics of VR, AR, and MR, creators can harness the unique capabilities of each to develop immersive content and applications that push the boundaries of traditional media. The applications of XR are numerous and varied, offering unparalleled opportunities for innovation across multiple industries. As technology continues to evolve, XR production will play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital interaction, making it an exciting field for creators and users alike.
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