NAB 2023: Zero Density unveils camera tracker for virtual sets

Zero Density has launched several new innovations in tracking technology, all released under its Traxis brand. This includes the Traxis Camera Tracker – a unified hub for broadcasters to track cameras and manage their camera and lens data – as well as a major update to the Traxis Talent Tracker, which enables broadcasters to track multiple people on set at the same time without wearables.

Built for both LED sets and green screen cycloramas, these new solutions mean broadcasters can spend less time worrying about photorealism and get more space to focus on creativity. The update to Zero Density’s Traxis Talent Tracker, which uses AI to identify individuals within a 3D environment, means that multiple people can now be tracked without wearables. This empowers broadcasters to more easily generate accurate reflections, refractions and virtual shadows in real time for multiple people – perfect for productions with several presenters or guests.

Like the Talent Tracker, the Traxis Camera Tracker also means broadcasters can create immersive virtual graphics without time-consuming setups. The tracker provides fast and accurate lens calibration, which means there’s no need to install hundreds of calibration points for a photoreal result – even when tracking challenging close-ups, fast camera movements and crane rigs. No matter how complex the production is, Traxis Camera Tracker users will be able to calibrate their virtual studio. Once calibrated, the studio won’t need to be recalibrated before any new production, reducing downtime.

In order to manage the different camera and lens tracking feeds, the Traxis Camera Tracker software platform can also be used as a central hub. The platform will calibrate lenses as well as monitor all camera feeds, even if each has its own protocol, so creatives have the freedom to choose the best combination of technologies for every real-time project. There will be no need to switch platforms for different vendors or devices.

“There is no single tracking technology that answers all the requirements of production. With the new products in our Traxis brand, we wanted to empower broadcasters to choose the best fit, without worrying about complex setups,” said Ofir Benovici, CEO of Zero Density. “The Traxis Camera Tracker and Talent Tracker solutions provide users with an all-in-one system for accurate tracking and realistic Unreal Engine graphics, fully calibrated to the chosen lens.”