Free-D is a unique camera tracking system that uses an advanced image analysis technique to measure the position of a camera. The system can be used on traditional pedestals, operated hand held or mounted on a crane.

Key Features:

• Precise matching of the real and virtual worlds.
• Operation with a wide variety of camera supports.
• Consistent smooth tracking even when moving between real and virtual areas in a studio.
• No need for any additional sensing mechanisms to achieve consistent 360° tracking.
• Unrestricted movement of multiple cameras even in large studios, including full 360° pans.
• No restriction on depth of field of the studio lens, allowing normal lens aperture and studio lighting conditions.

The Free-D system uses a number of passive targets placed in the studio lighting grid. The targets are viewed by a small CCD camera mounted on the studio cameras. The image from the tracking camera is processed to calculate the exact position and orientation of the studio camera to a very high accuracy.

The zoom and focus axes are monitored by high resolution optical sensors mounted on the lens. This data is combined with the video from the small camera CCD and returned to the Free-d processor.

The Free-D processor then calculates the Pan, Tilt, Roll, X, Y, Height, Zoom and Focus parameters to accurately pin-point the studio camera position. The complete data package is transmitted via a serial data link to the 3D VR system, using the widely established standard protocol.