When will Virtual Sets Get Better?

[robistech]

I know many internet broadcasters tend to stay away from Virtual Sets for a variety of reasons a build our their physical studio in a "set", but for broadcasts which rely on it, when will virtual set technology get better? Now I know the more you're willing to pay, the better they get. One of the main reasons my high school production upgraded to the TriCaster had a a lot to do with the amazing Virtual Set technology that comes built into the latest TriCasters. Now we had used Wirecast virtual sets for years, but they never were able to really give off a real professional look. There's a lot of little things that Virtual Sets on the TriCaster have like real time reflections and camera movement that I would love to see offered in lower end products. Now again, I know this isn't a fair comparison because of price, but when do you all think virtual sets on the consumer level will get better, or is the need for Virtual Sets just not as strong as it one was?

[rudyengels]

Hi,

Virtual sets are a fantastic thing when used correctly. But... Even when I see a Tricaster specialist demonstrating virtual sets as "the" important upgrade thing, I'm asking myself what's wrong. The sets are so fake to start with (people seem to hover in the set) and what a lot of people forget: you'll have to change your lighting according to the virtual set you're using.
Don't understand me wrong: they can be an additional asset to your production but personally I prefer a wel produced show above wrongly used fancy stuff...

[Dan Ortego]

I haven't seen many virtual sets that look very convincing and they can be visually distracting if they look too fake or cheesy. Conversely, I have seen a few virtual sets or backdrops that do not attempt to convince the viewer that it's real and therefore acceptable (IMO).

An example would be a backdrop of the cityscape or similar. I think the best one I've seen lately is the one on Fox news where the guest speaker is presented in an office den where there is a painting on the wall that includes a horse in a meadow. In fact, maybe it's an actual office den 'set' within the studio.

Once I get up and running I plan to have some tasteful piece of art on the wall behind me, and spend more attention on lighting and leave it at that.

[Spencer Kobren]

Lighting is everything! I say keep it as simple as possible and light it well.

[erictimmer]

The more natural looking the better. I would say partial virtual sets are probably a better option or could be a better option. Just my 2 yen.