Reckeen 3D Studio and NDI CG and DSK

DOWNSTREAM KEY – DSK FUNCTION

DSK functions are placed in the area on the right side of the vision mixer. The Switcher allows you to decide which source or which image from the inside of a virtual studio V/C is aired. However, no program can go without graphics and text panels. They are put into the broadcasted signal in the final step, on separate layers, in the form of overlays on the main signal. They are commonly referred to as DSK (Downstream Key).

Usually, panels with captions, still graphics or short computer animations are used on DSK layers. For their preparation, video formats or graphic files with a definition of transparency (i.e. alpha channel/ alpha) should be used. In the case where a signal from a camera is used as DSK, it should be connected with keying. The Reckeen 3D Studio system is equipped to support NDI sources as 2 x DSK inputs. Thanks to that you can use your favourite application that generates text and graphics on your laptop and sent it via NDI direct to DSK in Reckeen 3D Studio.

4 x SDI and Genlock in Reckeen 3D Studio PRO!

Reckeen 3D Studio PRO is supported by a very strong hardware platform on which products such as MVP-100 are based. In the first version of firmware, this new platform will extend the capabilities with such features: inputs will support 4 x 3G SDI, 2 X 12G SDI, outputs will support 4 x 3G SDI and 2 x 12G SDI, Independent Program Out will be available on the HDMI output, and the new platform will also support Genlock REF in and Loop.

In the future, depending on the market demand, we plan to increase the number of inputs to 8 x SDI and additional 2 x HDMI v2.0 inputs. As for the outputs of the hardware capabilities, it will be extended to up to 8 x SDI and 2 x HDMI.

The platform is connected to a workstation via the IPass PCI express standard. IPass standard offers a full interconnect system that enables flexible speed and supports Reckeen 3D Studio applications.

Regarding analogue and digital audio, the new platform supports Audio Link interfaces, through which you can connect ADB-100. The use of RJ45 cable and Audio Link technology enables transferring all inputs and outputs stream to greater distances (with a single RJ45 cable). That is why this device can be placed either directly in a studio or on a stage, which enables a user to separate a recording studio from a closed and acoustically isolated control room in which Reckeen 3D Studio Pro platform is installed. The sound transferred digitally from ADB-100 device through RJ 45 connector maintains the highest quality.

Our extended version of Reckeen 3D studio – Reckeen 3D Studio PRO, will be the strongest version by far and it is dedicated to professional broadcasting market. Reckeen 3D Studio PRO will be available from May 2019.

Reckeen 3D Studio – the new release

Regarding changes in the next version 1.3.20271:

  • Shadows in basic materials – Our Squat sets scenography, in the version with burnt textures, has now added shadows. To see the full effect in Squat sets, please download the current version of the scenography, from our website DOWLOADS/ RECKEEN 3D STUDIO / SYSTEM FILES / Squat sets
  • Dual gain & audio mono.
    Education market often uses wireless microphones, and that’s why we added a mono switch for rope inputs and additional gain in case of a lower level signal from the pre-amplifier. It is also important to use a correct cable – mono cable for Jack 6.3mm. Now you can connect four of such microphones, two to the input JACK 6.3mm and another two to the input of XLR.
  • Vkey-100 firmware update – T-bar position fixed
  • Support for new motherboards family Z390
  • Facebook plugin updated
  • NDI module updated

Mobile Reckeen 3D Studio in Edge from NextComputing

Reckeen 3D studio will soon be available in a powerful compact tower as a portable version of Reckeen 3D Studio.  Powerhouse Edge D100 by NextComputing  is streamlined, high-performance and optimized for portable version of our Reckeen 3D Studio.  All versions of hardware cards from 4 x HDMI up to 3G/12G SDI will be available with this version of Reckeen 3D studio.

This mobile studio does not have an internal audio panel, but it is offered together with our Audio Digital Box ADB-100.  Reckeen 3D Studio in portable version is equipped with integrated 17.3” Full HD LCD monitor. The weight of this system is only about 10kg, and that’s what makes it very portable.

Additionally, if you do not need the Audio Digital Box and/or VKey 100 control panel, the system can be also used without it, which further increases its portability.  The Portable Reckeen 3D Studio is available only for specific orders.

Reckeen LITE is now available in Ultra HD quality

We would like to proudly inform you that the 4K version of Reckeen LITE is now available in Ultra HD quality. Until now, the users of the LITE system had at their disposal the Full HD quality. Currently, you can enjoy the resolution of 2160p 30/25.

The LITE system is available in versions with SDI and HDMI inputs cards similar to the Reckeen 3D Studio system.

Join Reckeen 4K community and create amazing content !!!

Reckeen 3D Studio

Features in 1.3.19745 version

The list of the most important new features in 1.3.19745 version of the Reckeen system along with their short description.

The more detailed information can be found in documentation and tutorial videos:

OUTPUT TRANSITION with Transitions FX

  • The following section introduces a new function called Transitions FX, that is special effects.
  • The Reckeen system has a 136 (Wipe, Slide and Alpha) database of ready-to-use effects divided into appropriate categories.

New Talent shadow and Talent's automatic pinning to the floor

  • RECKEEN 3D Studio system’s engine renders talent / presenter’s shadows in real-time.
  • Quality has been improved of talent shadow (floor level detection, talent shape shadow)

Reflections 4K

  • RECKEEN 3D Studio system renders real-time reflections from flat glossy surfaces.
  • These reflections change in accordance with altering position of the virtual camera.
  • 4K technology is a new standard for video images.  Now in 4k modes a new quality of reflections has been obtained.

Streaming on new platform

  • New streaming services added (Vimeo, DaCast, SmashCast, Twitch)

New content added

Scenography is one of the most influential elements of a virtual studio, its uniqueness will draw the audience’s attention and emphasize a character of a video material.

With RECKEEN 3D Studio, you get a ready-made designs package, but 3D Studio Editor and Studio Editor Wizard are also its integral parts.

  • With Wizard’s functionality, you can familiarize yourself with the basics of a process of creating virtual scenography.Now are available wizard projects with 45 templates, 633 decorations.
  • PBR (Physical Based Rendering) – scenography, architecture or equipment elements visible on the screen reflect properties of their real-world counterparts. Now 335 PBR materials are available.
  • The current content added to the system contains. For 3D studio 46 ready 3D set design, and for LITE there are 38 sets with more camera shoots (715 shoots in all LITE sets)

Demo sets support

RECKEEN started cooperation with a leading company involved in the creation of scenography, the result of this cooperation is 8 graphic projects made in the PBR technology for the 3D studio and LITE system. The current content includes these scenographies in the demo version. Now you can test them before making your purchase decisions.

NEW FEATURES IN RECKEEN LITE

  • From now all the set designs created for the LITE system are in 4k technology. The system provides support for earlier HD formats.
  • The LITE  has been expanded by PIP compositions.

Stability & optimization

We have fixed many bugs and improved the system’s quality and stability.

F.A.Q

Here, you will find descriptions of the problems you may encounter when working with the Reckeen system.

If you have any questions – search the relevant section for a description of a problem and a solution for it.If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please contact your local distributor.

Unexpected disruptions in the stable operation of the Reckeen system

Make sure that all the devices connected to the Reckeen system (cameras, external audio mixer, PC , etc.) and the system itself are powered with the voltage of the same phase. The easiest way to verify this is to connect all the devices to a single power strip in accordance with the grounding principles.

Windows system wants to update itself or displays a message referring to inability to start the system or a message about invalid graphics card drivers

For the Reckeen system, Windows updates are disabled. You should not change this allowing the updates or Windows system upgrade , as this may cause instability of the system or even inability to start the Reckeen application. This also applies to updating your graphics card drivers. If you update Windows,
you have to restore it to the previous version.

Can I install antivirus software?

In the event of the need to use antivirus software, it shall be installed, the computer shall be scanned for viruses, and then the software shall be uninstalled. This is to avoid the uncontrolled incorporation of this software during live production and unstable system operation.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

CAN I USE A READY-MADE SET DESIGN PROVIDED WITH RECKEEN LITE SYSTEM AND INTRODUCE SOME CHANGES TO IT?

Yes, it is possible. After loading a scenography to the editor, you just have to save the file under a different name. Afterwards, in such scenography you can, for example, insert additional studio equipment using an object layer or a .png file with transparency (alpha channel).

WHERE CAN I GET .PNG OBJECT FILES WITH A TRANSPARENT BACKGROUND?

There is a rich library of such files in the Reckeen system. These kind of files can be created with, for example, GIMP program. You can also download ready-made files from the Internet using a search engine. When searching for such image, select Search Tools color: transparent. These are the files that have a characteristic checkered background representing an alpha channel or transparency.

HOW TO MAKE SURE MY GRAPHICS CARD IS COMPATIBLE WITH DIRECTX 11?

First of all, you can check on the seller’s website whether your graphics card is compatible with DirectX 11.

You can also open DirectX diagnostics tool to help you check, if your computer meets the minimum requirements. To start the DirectX diagnostic tool, click Window’s Start button and type ‘dxdiag’ in the search box, and then press ENTER. Picture below:

If you click a Display tab ,you can see what drivers your computer supports. Picture Below (26 DIRECT X)

Virtual Space Maker LITE Editor – hardware requirements

Virtual Space Maker – apart from being an element of Reckeen LITE virtual studio software, this set design editor has also its stand-alone version. This software can be installed on your computer, just like any other standard software. But before installing, make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements.

  • CPU: i3 or faster
  • Memory: 4GB RAM
  • Graphics Card: GPU with DirectX 11 drivers
  • Operating System: Windows 7 (64-bit) SP1 with ‘Platform Update’ , or higher
  • Monitor resolution of 1680 x 1050 or higher
  • CPU: the x64 processor must support the AVX2 instruction, i.e.: here
    • Intel
    • Haswell processor, Q2 2013
    • Haswell E processor, Q3 2014
    • Broadwell processor, Q4 2014
    • Broadwell E processor, Q3 2016
    • Skylake processor, Q3 2015
    • Kaby Lake processor, Q3 2016(ULV mobile)/Q1 2017(desktop/mobile)
    • Coffee Lake processor, Q4 2017
    • Cannonlake processor, 2018
    • Cascade Lake processor, 2018
    • Ice Lake processor, 2018
    • AMD
    • Excavator processor, Q2 2015
    • Zen processor, Q1 2017

Virtual Space Maker LITE Editor – sources C and D (screens)

A layer representing signal sources – sources C and D (Screens). It can be placed anywhere and freely scaled. The layer represents a place in the studio where additional content can be displayed (video material, panels, etc.), i.e. virtual Screens.

The Screen layer can be scaled and moved.

Example

The simplest set design may consist of three layers (the program operates on two-dimensional layers, placed one above the other). The first one is a background layer (Studio layer). You can place any image depicting an interior of a studio (it can be, for example, a photo) on this layer. The image will be scaled to fill an entire video frame (in the pre-defined resolution).

Subsequently, you should add layers representing signal sources – source A (Talent) and source C (Screen). Both can be placed anywhere in the studio and freely scaled. The first source represents a form of a presenter, while the second one – a place in the studio where additional content can be displayed
(video material, panels, etc.), i.e. a virtual Screen.

A Talent layer should be placed on the very top, so that the presenter would not be accidentally covered. Unless, of course, you want to achieve such effect intentionally, when the presenter is, for example, partly obscured by a desk. In such case, a layer with a desk object should be placed in front of the Talent layer.

The program, however, allows you to change the order of already added layers at any time.

The image below shows a set design created with the use of three layers. A photo is loaded to the studio layer.

At this point, the studio is ready to be used in LITE Production module. As you can see, Virtual Space Maker editor is a tool that is very easy to use and which allows you to create a new virtual studio set design with layers in just a few moments.

In addition, the studio can be completed with an object layer, where you can place any piece of interior design, e.g. a lamp. This layer can be placed wherever you want on the screen by moving and scaling it.In the image below, 3 hanging lamps have been added to the studio.

Example

If you have a set created with two layers – e.g. Screen (source C) and presenter (Talent – source A), then the presenter will be moving against the background of what is currently being displayed on the Screen. If you choose a video with an image of a street filmed with a stationary camera to be displayed on the Screen, it will be a background for your presenter. With that, you can achieve an effect that the presenter is visible, for example, on a busy street in the middle of a city.

Such created composition can be now saved and so it becomes immediately available in the production module.

Naturally, along with RECKEEN LITE system, you get a package of ready-made set designs that can be used in a program broadcast. You can edit any of these set designs supplied in the package using Virtual Space Maker editor module.

In the case of ready-made sets, you have, among others, the following editing options:

  • hiding / revealing selected layers – an easiest way to get a different version of the same studio is to, for example, hide a table behind which a presenter should sit in the studio, creating an open studio set design,
  • inserting additional graphics, e.g. placing additional objects in the studio.

Due to the fact that a structure of ready-made sets can be very complex (multi-layered), it is easy to accidentally ‘break’ such composition, e.g. by removing one of the layers. To protect against this kind of error, the provided set design files are protected against modification. However, you can always save such set under a different name, marking a new file as unprotected, and then modify it as you like.

RECKEEN LITE system is delivered with a package of ready-made set designs, that is, virtual studio scenographies. In addition, the system includes a rich library of objects used in these sets. The objects are available as PNG files with a transparency layer. Each of these objects can be used also in other sets.

With the Virtual Space Maker editor, every user can create their own studio set design or make modifications to an existing one.

There is no difference between the set designs from LITE Production module perspective, regardless of how they were created. Note that some functions, such as assigning signals (media, camera, image) to the sources, only takes place in LITE Production module, not in the VSM editor.

In the VSM editor, a new studio consists of flat layers, previously prepared in, e.g. Photoshop, 3ds MAX or GIMP. No operations can be performed on the original set design (provided in the package), as its file is protected. To be able to modify it, you need to create a copy of the studio file, change its name and operate on a new file. However, for Reckeen LITE program, there is no difference between the previous studio and its modified copy.