Brainstorm Multimedia tackles 3D with next-gen CG and graphics playout, hardware mixer

Brainstorm Multimedia recently unveiled its next-generation CG and graphics playout solution, Aston 3D.

The new Aston 3D is a 100% Brainstorm-developed product that builds on the Aston heritage of reliability and simplicity to create a new platform based on Brainstorm’s eStudio on-air graphics and virtual studio render engine. The result is a graphics creation system specifically designed to operate at the heart of a design department, able to fulfill any broadcast graphics requirement.

According to Brainstorm Multimedia CEO Ricardo Montesa, “With the full integration of our eStudio engine, we are very confident that Aston 3D will become the reference system for real-time 3D graphics creation and playout.”

The user interface of Aston 3D further develops the Brainstorm interface, providing a familiar environment and toolset that make the product instantly intuitive. Aston 3D blends Aston’s friendly and familiar user experience with the unlimited power and extensive toolset of Brainstorm’s eStudio’s engine to allow operators to create, manipulate, animate, and perform last-minute changes of any kind of video graphic, even while on-air. Aston 3D also inherits all of eStudio’s 3D-stereo capabilities, which means it is future-proofed for any broadcast demand.

With Aston 3D, Brainstorm has condensed 20 years of real-time 3D graphics development into a comprehensive solution that adds levels of power and usability that, combined with the heritage and popularity of the Aston brand, is designed for a much wider audience. Although created for broadcast operations, because it is resolution independent Aston 3D can work in a wide range of graphics-intensive environments from broadcast to corporate presentations.

Aston 3D is compatible with Brainstorm’s range of graphics products. It can also be fully controlled by news and playout systems such as BrainNews or Brainstorm’s OnDemand, or be seamlessly integrated into more complex newsroom environments like Avid iNews.

Montesa concludes, “Operators will be amazed at Aston 3D’s ease-of-use, reliability and extensive toolset, all wrapped up in a single package to generate broadcast graphics and CGs in the most demanding of environments.”

Brainstorm Multimedia will also feature a new hardware mixer as an optional accessory to its EasySet 3D trackless virtual studio solution.

The EasySet 3D hardware mixer enables users to control EasySet 3D functions in the more familiar production environment of an external device.

According to Brainstorm Marketing Communications Manager Miguel Churruca, “The introduction of the EasySet 3D hardware mixer is in direct response to customers who already use EasySet 3D. We’ve extended the virtual-studio-in-a box concept to enhance what is already a powerful feature set, taking it to new levels of creativity and control. New EasySet 3D users will also be encouraged by these new possibilities to bring their virtual set to life.”

The new hardware mixer does not replace EasySet 3D’s software mixer, but includes enhanced production functionality such as full control of all virtual cameras of the EasySet 3D to take full advantage of its 3D features by allowing non-linear transition between 3D cameras. The mixer also allows preview/program on all cameras plus cut-fade-wipe editing. Transitions can also be launched manually if desired. All external feeds for the virtual studio can also be easily controlled.

Brainstorm’s EasySet 3D trackless virtual set solution provides a comprehensive 3D real-time environment with stereoscopic capabilities, integrated Chroma keyer, up to four SD/HD inputs, and a live switcher mode with up to 12 live simultaneous productions for easy transition between 3D cameras.