ERR Estonia in European VR first with RT Software and StypeGRIP combination

Estonian state Broadcaster ERR selected RT Software’s tOG-VR virtual studio solution combined with a StypeGRIP kit fitted to a Jimmy jib to provide virtual inserts for its daily children’s entertainment program Lastetuba, the first ever use of virtual studios in Estonia. Whilst RT Software and Stype integration has already been used for on air productions in the southern hemisphere, this is the first use in Europe.

Going on air during the run up to Christmas 2014, ERR’s concept was to bring discussions to life by inserting virtual scenes into the real studio. As presenters discuss a topic, the camera pans to show a real scene relevant to the discussion as if they are part of an infinitely extended studio.

RT Creative provided two scenes in response to ERR’s brief, a sunny beach scene with rolling waves and a wintry forest scene complete with falling snowflakes and a beautifully lit village in the distance. StypeGRIP provided the camera tracking data via one of its kits fitted to a Jimmy Jib, allowing good freedom of movement of the studio camera around the virtual graphics.

RT Software’s tOG-VR inserted the virtual scene into the studio with the sand and snow merging with the real studio floor. In order to look convincing to the eye, the real and the virtual needed to be locked together at all times. This was achieved by combining the accurate camera tracking data available from Stype with tOG-VRs ability to handle lens distortions as the camera zoomed in and out.

Risto Sirts, ERR CTO said, “not only were we impressed with the way tOG-VR was able to render such complex and realistic scenes, but also by the support given by RT Software’s creative team in the design and implementation. With the design done at RT Software, all that was required was a two day visit to ERR from one of their team and we were confident enough to go to air the following week”.

Stype CEO Stjepan Cajic said, “this job was special for us since it was the first one on which RT software used our new protocol and the new way of calibrating the lens. We are glad that people are starting to grasp the value of great calibration performed inside the Stype kit. It enabled the creative guys to focus all of their energy into creating the effects and not having to worry on locking the graphics to the floor. No one had to mention the tracking which made us very happy.”