Sydney-based graphics company, Girraphic, has selected Ncam’s live real-time
tracking technology to support its new-look graphics for the V8 Supercar
competition.
While the company owners, Craig Hamel and Nate Marsh, have been involved with
the competition for eight years, more recently their company, Girraphic, has taken
responsibility for all graphics on the domestic and world feeds, and for big screens
around the venues. With this extended remit, Girraphic wanted to create something
dynamic and eye-catching.
Ncam delivers exceptional camera tracking accuracy, with extremely fast set-up
time for live broadcasting. Its continuous feed of camera position, orientation and
lens information drives the Vizrt graphics engine, allowing complex augmented
reality images and graphics in place to be added to live broadcasts.
Girraphic noticed Ncam during its use in the 2014 Superbowl and started
negotiations at NAB that same year. What Ncam delivered was the freedom to roam
wherever they wanted, because the tracking system works on objects in the scene
so you can take the camera anywhere and it will instantly send precise positional
information.
For the V8 Supercars, this has allowed Girraphic exceptional creative freedom to
engage viewers. They even use it to take the viewer inside a virtual car and sit in
the driver’s seat.
“We use Ncam all around the race track, on the grid, in the garages or next to the
team transporters,’ said Nathan Marsh, managing director of Girraphic. “Our
producers are always looking for interesting and different places, where a portable
car is the only option.’
“Ncam has given us the ability to use augmented reality technology where, due to
time pressures, we previously could not,’ he added. “Setting up traditional camera
tracking technology would not be practical as you need to line up the equipment
prior to shooting. With Ncam Live 7D we can arrive, shoot the segment and walk
away in a matter of minutes, without getting in the way.’
The Ncam solution uses an unobtrusive bar mounted on the camera which carries
multiple sensors. It can be mounted on any camera, whether on a tripod, a
Steadicam or handheld. The data from the sensors and the lens is streamed to a
processor to link to the graphics engine. Although the Ncam processor outputs an
open format which can be accessed by any graphics system, the company has a
long association with Vizrt, the preferred graphics vendor of Girraphic. This ensures
a simple integration, again eliminating technical issues on a live sports event.
“The team at Girraphic want to push what can be done with Ncam tracking
technology, and they are already working it hard, with 360 degree walk-arounds
and constantly shifting locations,’ said Nic Hatch, CEO of Ncam. “What they are
doing now on the V8 Supercar coverage is technically and creatively amazing, and
we look forward to future projects with them.’
