CBS Texas Unveils Innovative AR/VR Studio
CBS Texas has introduced a cutting-edge augmented reality and virtual reality studio, positioning itself as the sole station in the area to harness this advanced technology.
Launched on June 23, the AR/VR set transforms the way news and weather are presented, allowing viewers to engage with stories in a more immersive manner.
In a weekly series, CBS Texas will feature insights from various contributors involved in this project. This week, Adam Bull, the director of broadcast operations and engineering, shared his expertise.
CBS Texas: Can you explain how this technology operates?
Adam Bull: It’s fascinating technology. Imagine being inside a video game. We place a person against a green backdrop, digitally extract them, and integrate them into a video game engine.
Equipped with an infrared tracker, the individual can navigate and interact with virtual objects displayed on screens. They utilize monitors positioned above and in front to guide their actions. Mastering this interaction requires practice to convincingly engage with elements that exist solely in the digital realm. Our meteorologists also employ an iPad to communicate with the system, issuing commands such as displaying a virtual monitor or altering the floor map.
CBS Texas: What was the process like for launching this set?
Bull: It involved significant effort. The IT team dedicated over six months to planning, constructing, and rehearsing before going live. The innovators at our CBS San Francisco station, who were instrumental in developing this technology, spent several years perfecting it.
CBS Texas: What excites you about the future of this technology?
Bull: I’m eager to see how our creative teams in news, weather, and sports will utilize this technology. While it’s impressive, the real goal is to immerse everyone in a captivating environment where our storytellers can convey their narratives and take viewers on a virtual adventure.
CBS Texas: How does this set stand out from others?
Flexibility is key; everything can be modified. The same green set used for news and weather can instantly transform into a sports arena or even the Sistine Chapel with just a click. As we explore this technology further, the possibilities for storytelling are limitless!
Julia Falcon serves as a digital content producer at CBS News Texas. With experience writing for various news outlets across Dallas-Fort Worth, she covers diverse topics with a focus on sports and trending issues. Julia also produces a weekly show titled "Eye on Trending," addressing popular questions of the moment.
