VIRTUALSETWORKS OFFERS LOW-COST SETS-ON-DEMANDUSING FOR-A'S DIGIWARP EX-II SYSTEM

Producers Can Browse a Variety of Online Virtual Set Libraries and Download Them Instantly

Jan 8th, 2004

IRVINE, CA, January 8, 2004 - The design and rendering of a highly immersive 2D virtual set just got a whole lot easier now that Virtualsetworks, a leading designer of virtual set libraries, has begun offering downloadable sets on-demand for FOR-A's digiWarp EX-II Virtual Set system.

Using a new, fully automated Internet website (store.virtualsetworks.com), digital content creators can view a wide range of pre-designed virtual sets, select a studio, and download the set immediately after making an online purchase via credit card. Not only is the service highly convenient, but it's the most economical live virtual set option now available, according to Eric Pratt, president and CEO of Virtualsetworks.

If you need live, motion-tracked production, FOR-A's digiWarp EX-II is by far the most cost effective way to achieve 2D virtual sets, said Pratt.Its nearest competitors are nearly twice the cost. We provide FOR-A's customers with high-resolution, fully immersive images that can be put behind and in front of their talent. When the camera is moved, the virtual scene, or set moves completely in sync with the talent.

Targeted at high-end corporate video production and mid-size television broadcast stations, the fully rendered, pre-designed sets created by Virtualsetworks may be purchased in packages or individually. When used with a FOR-A digiWarp EX-II system, each set allows the user to pan, zoom, and scan across the backgrounds in perfect sync with the tracked camera movements.

The ability to order custom set designs online is significant, for its cost-effectiveness and its ease of use, and speed, said Gary Attanasio, National Sales Manager for FOR-A's line of virtual studio and real-time graphics solutions and Southeastern Regional Manager for its overall product line.Virtualsetworks has created some amazing sets designs, and at a very reasonable price. Customers of the For-A digiWarp EX-II system now have a virtual studio that will continue to grow and evolve as their business does, ensuring them of a fast return on investment.

Virtualsetworks offers three Virtual Set Packs, each containing 20 pre-designed sets, priced at $800. A three-volume bundle is available for $1,800. The price for individual sets is $249. The company will also design custom sets, priced by project. Sets are distributed as 2D image files in the .tga format, backgrounds are 24 bit, and foregrounds (such as an anchor desk) are 32 bit.

Based on an open GL architecture, the FOR-A digiWarp EX-II 2D virtual set system offers real-time rendering, high-speed image transfer and a large capacity 128MB texture memory. Enhanced features include expanded masking and chroma key capabilities. Backgrounds can be created from 2D or 3D computer graphics, photo library CD images or images captured with a digital video camera. The system is also expandable to multi-camera and multi-sensor configurations.