ENCO has been named the exclusive North American distributor for Qimera, adding a suite of real-time compositing tools for virtual production sets and augmented reality graphics to its growing range of broadcast and AV solutions. ENCO will support all sales and marketing operations in North America effective immediately, and consult with Qimera on future product development initiatives, including new features and integrations with ENCO and RUSHWORKS products.
ENCO will demonstrate Qimera’s technology this week at InfoComm, which runs Wednesday through Friday at the Orange County Convention Center. Visitors to ENCO’s booth (3816) can see a remote demonstration of Qimera’s technology that begins with the recording of a green screen. ENCO will process the recordings live and present the output on a display screen. Attendees can interact with the technology and manipulate virtual production elements.
In the AV market, ENCO will promote Qimera’s technology to corporate and higher education customers seeking to increase their live production capabilities at lower costs. ENCO will also market the technology to broadcast customers for in-studio and on-location shoots of news, event and entertainment productions, both live and recorded.
“Qimera offers advanced virtual production technology at a very affordable price point, opening new doors for small-to-mid market TV stations, corporations, universities and visual radio broadcasters that were once priced out of the market,” said Ken Frommert, Presidentof ENCO. “At NAB, we previewed a full Qimera virtual set with a green screen and augmented reality graphics for product demonstrations and live presentations. The response from broadcasters across the spectrum, from PEG stations to national TV and radio networks, was overwhelmingly positive. We foresee strong demand for this technology across our broadcast and AV customer base, and an opportunity to extend the ENCO brand into new areas of live production.”
Qimera developed and designed its real-time virtual production compositing tools with modern production workflows in mind, beginning with an easy and intuitive user interface for users. Non-linear editors can quickly create highly advanced virtual sets and augmented reality graphics thanks to its quick learning curve, and users can connect four cameras to a single server thanks to its built-in video switcher. The solution builds in lighting control with DMX IP, PTZ camera integration, a 3D asset library, realistic graphics via Unreal Engine, multi-layer composition, and a virtual crane among other features.
Andres Serrano, Vice President of Operations for Qimera, says that the company’s 3D asset library is an ideal example of how the company stands apart from competitive solutions. Serrano says that new assets are continually added to the library, with immediate access for all customers. That accessibility, as well as the lack of customization required, accelerates deployments for new customers.
“Qimera prioritizes the end user’s perspective, versus designing the software specifically for engineers,” said Serrano. “Users can freely modify text, font, colors and images, yet there is very little required from a development standpoint through our array of available startup assets. We have created a virtual solution that is easy to deploy, manage and operate, and doesn’t require businesses to increase their payroll upon entering the virtual, augmented and mixed reality universe.”
Serrano adds that the above benefits are critical in today’s increasingly budget-conscious broadcast market, and businesses and schools can now amplify corporate training and distance education programs with affordable, easy-to-use virtual technology. “ENCO has an excellent command of these markets and their associated business verticals, which makes them the ideal partner to raise our brand visibility in North America,” he concluded.
About ENCO
Founded in 1983, ENCO pioneered the use of computer-based, digital audio and program automation for radio stations and TV studios. The company has since evolved its award-winning product line to span all aspects of today’s automated broadcast and production workflows, including closed and open captioning, visual radio, audio compliance, instant media playout, remote contribution, and cloud-based web streaming. It also brings the benefits of its patented captioning and live audio/video playout innovations to professional AV environments including conference rooms, lecture halls, sporting arenas and event venues. For more information, please visit:www.enco.com.
