In a recent Explora article, we went over the basics of media servers for in-camera virtual effects (ICVFX) and virtual production (VP), describing these beefy machines for media playback and distribution to LED processors for LED walls and volumes. A VP media server can be a custom hardware solution or software installed on an off-the-shelf machine, but either type needs to have a powerful processor, an especially powerful GPU, fast throughput, lots of RAM, fast and ample storage, and fast, high-resolution I/O such as HDMI 2.1, Gigabit+ Ethernet, and Thunderbolt.
Considerations for exactly which media server hardware and software to purchase should come down to the scale and requirements of the project as well as budget, so it’s best to start small and scale up recommendations for a media server. As always, the VP experts at B&H’s The Studio can recommend and help package exactly what you need for your studio.
Smaller: Video Walls, Virtual Sets, and Static Installations
For content creators, educators, and filmmakers, XR effects can be made easy with a turnkey solution such as the ARwall ARFX StudioBox Max 2 Creator Kit, which includes the hardware and software to get you up and running quickly to create 3D virtual sets, smartphone tracking, smartphone integration, output to any display, camera, or projector, as well as in-camera FX rendering so no green screen or compositing is needed.
For large projections and static productions such as live shows, events, fixed installations, video walls in museums, corporate spaces, theaters, the Disguise EX media servers (EX 2, EX 2C, and EX 3+) provide different levels of hardware and software to provide content playback and projection mapping with a scalable design that can even work alongside the more advanced Disguise VX and GX media server series for virtual production.
Larger: Virtual Production
When assembling a larger ICVFX or virtual production that requires extended integration with lighting, mocap, AI tracking, and large-scale, real-time playback, there are more advanced media server options available that will fit and scale to your installations.
The Disguise VX series media servers (VX 1, VX 2, VX 3, VX 4, VX 4+) for immersive ICVFX and virtual production workflows, AR, 3D, XR, and high-performance VFX. Each server features different grades of CPU, RAM, storage, GPU, and I/O options that scale to fit your needs depending on the size of your projects and volumes. Some VX series features include:
- Use as Director and/or Editor
- Hardware can run disguise apps such as X1, Designer, Render, Previz, Mapper
- Integrate input with engines such as Notch or Unreal
- Scalable with redundancy/failover
- Control multiple volumes and projectors
- Easy, flexible pixel mapping software for fast workflows
- DMX connection mapping for video onto lighting
When assistance is needed to render and output real-time graphics with render engines such as Unreal or Notch, the Disguise rx II or rx III Render Engine hardware servers provide media services and fast graphics rendering to support the VX series. The Disguise GX series of render engines is even more flexible for live events and real-time rendering and they’re optimized to play Notch content and even include a Notch license. The Disguise hardware series is easily scalable and offers a solid starting point with room to grow.
Hardware choices for virtual production media servers also include PIXERA Dual, Quad, and Octo media servers that offer scalable configurations in zero, one, two, and four models depending on the processing power and number of outputs you require. These Windows-based servers include PIXERA Control and Server software and can be customized with various content licenses to scale up and customize your production. Advantages of PIXERA include:
- Customized rack-based servers
- Built-in tools for 3D projection mapping, preview/editing, camera calibration
- Windows-based operation
- Upgradable I/O and à la carte licensing options for scaling
- 10 Gb/s LAN
- Easy to use GUI
- Real-time render engine
PIXERA media servers can also work alongside PIXERA DIRECTOR, a hardware media server that includes additional DIRECTOR and Control GATE software licenses to control and set up large-scale output with multiple media servers in a director/client configuration.
If you'd like to learn more about Virtual Production, check out our other guides and articles on the B&H Explora page. And if you’re ready to put together your VP package, be sure to contact the B&H Studio to get started.
