Only One operator. Only One device.

Only One powerful tool achieves it all.

The only option.  It’s the natural choice. Only Natural Studio.

Natural Studio’s Virtual Environments

Natural Studio provides a “virtual environment” format for programme production.

Virtual environment elements are made up of required sources used in the production process such as lighting, special effects, graphics, slide transitions, credits, clips, audio and masks.

These are then initiated when a TV programme is selected in Natural Tools.

Natural Studio’s Double Monitor User Interface

The intuitive interface updates the user constantly about all other available options, created effects as well as the status of all controlled and selected actions in the production process.

Natural Studio’s Control Console

Attributing to the unique control console, the operator has the distinct advantage of using Natural Studio’s power to its maximum in an effortless and uncomplicated way.

During production, the operator interacts with Natural Studio through the console which is a mixture and effects control table in one.

The console reinforces the system’s reliability as it helps to remove possible mistakes that might have occurred by the user, and also many production tasks are simplified and preset, thus allowing immediate access to all the options that Natural Studio offers.

Natural Studio’s Camera selection

Whenever one of the five cameras is selected, the system locates them as an output and then simultaneously presents the virtual background with the corresponding perspective to that camera’s parameters which include pan position, tilt, zoom and focus, all in accordance with the pre-selected shot.

The active camera is represented by the illuminated key on the console as well as by the icon in the user’s interface.

In addition, Natural Studio includes a Tally connection function that links the cameras in the set.

Natural Studio’s Shot changes

In order to facilitate the control of the five cameras, the operator has the option to pre-fix seven shots for each one of the cameras. When the user selects one of the seven shots, the corresponding camera then moves to the latest pre-fixed position. It ingeniously adjusts all of its parameters to the selected position automatically.

The frame from a previous shot can also be modified on-air, storing it for future use. 

Natural Studio’s Camera’s Remote Control

Through the control console, one single operator is empowered to manage all the camera parameters. The user can select the camera in use, operate the joystick and zoom to focus and position the controls in order to manipulate the distance as desired for the required results for the production.

SGO Natural Studio Titling Tool

Each title is essentially a graphic formed by several editable layers and can take place even during the production process activated from the Natural Studio CG application within the system. The titles can be both static, scrolling or rolling.

SGO has developed and refined a Natural Studio tool that enables the operator to manage all captions, titles and sub-titles with just one simple key in order to make titling fast, user-friendly and easy. With just one click, Natural Studio can then automatically select the title of the framed subject and place it in the representation of the programme. After a prearranged time, or with a shot change, for example, it will then disappear. It is also effortlessly removed by pressing the key once again.

SGO Natural Studio Special Effects and Graphics

Six primary keys are used for special effects and graphics. Each one of these keys is able to transmit special effects within various forms such as an alpha channel; a previous or subsequent layer (for example in advertising banners, explosions, flying ships and so forth); and as TGA (Targa) graphics in alpha (such as polling day elections, lottery results, weather prediction maps, telemarketing items and so forth). In addition, it is possible to shift from a video or graphic special effect to another type, without changing the previous one, thus allowing for a chain of effects to be built up, for example we see this process in a weather prediction map.

Opening sequences, bursts and headings

Six keys are used to use bursts, opening sequences…All this resources have audio and include alpha channel, that means that we can create transparencies and in and out effects with a program signal as a background. Furthermore, each one of the bursts can be shaped with the following parameters: stop at the opening, stop at the exit or both; allowing to include at the beginning of the program a spot input or news bursts without stops.

SGO Natural Studio’s Clip Library

The clips source is selected from the Interface Panel and there are various main sources that are available to the user.  One point of origin could be the VTR, in which case the operator would use the footage of the recording from the video tape which can then be set in motion from there. Another source at the user’s disposal is the local video library, which is located in a predetermined file of a local drive. It is also possible to get access to the prepared clips for release in the Natural News PLAYOUT area, which is the news editing system of Natural Studio.  Another possibility is to take control of an external video pre-selector.

The clip library displays the content that is associated with each of the six buttons of the console. Yellow arrows indicate and empower the user to move through the six various pages where 36 elements of each genre can be stored. The clips can appear on a virtual screen or as a programme output, using any of the transition effects available as defined by the operator.

SGO Natural Studio Magnetoscope Controller

The Magnetoscope Controller is a feature that operates the remote control, which is made up of two VTRs that function as recorders or players or one of each. Functions such as rewind, forward, stop, play, pause and record are all openly accessible. At every moment we have the VTR time codes on the screen for complete control.

One of the main tasks of the Magnetoscope Controller is to add clips to the library. The remote control also submits to the standard technological procedures AND policies in the industry, which means that we can work with equipment from different manufacturers, including systems that record over hard drives or video arrays or Fibre Channel.

Virtual Screen Filling

The user can include a screen, video wall or virtual window in the virtual stage. Video footage from an external source can also be displayed.  Live video is then processed in real-time adapting it to the scene within a set perspective in accordance with the selected cameras and the various angles and shots.

Scenography Movements

Two keys empower the user to actually move through the different “levels” or scenography changes inside the same virtual stage.

When one of the scenography changes has been completed, Natural Studio adjusts all the camera shots appropriately into the new environment.

These movements are only available when effects and transitions are stored. When this happens, the buttons illuminate to indicate to the operator that they have an opportunity to make a scenography change in the scene.

Transition Effects

There are at least eight different transition effects, which are summarised as: edge, colour, size, transparency, matrix, repetitions, automatic speed and indicated fields.

The interface or production console enables the user to utilise these transition effects.

Audio Control

The audio panel facilitates the user to be able to match and modify the audio levels from the various sources.  It is connected as an auxiliary input in real-time and connected to the studio mixer.

Four audio mono lines or alternatively, two stereo lines can be connected to generate the sound from the VTR to be used for the virtual screen. The mono and stereo lines can also send the audio output to the external mixer from the Natural Studio console (opening headings, audio, effects, local clips and so forth) and from the VTR or the external source that goes through the system to apply a Fade-in / Fade-out effect, which perfectly coincides with the control switch to produce the virtual screen.

Integrated Video Monitors

The user’s interface provides two live video monitors that show the external source images that were connected to insert the DVE or the virtual screen.

The other monitor is used to mainly watch the video output that is sent to the chroma-keyer.

Light Table

Natural Studio includes a Light Table that can control up to six lighting channels with 0.10 V D protocol illuminations. Each virtual environment stores its own configuration to adapt to immediate requirements.

Adjustment presets can also be stored and soft changes can be made from one to another within a transition scalable time.

Live Panel

A clock shows the time for the production control tasks at all times. When the programme is being produced or recorded, the ON-AIR mode is activated.

The benefit of working in this way is that the system is activated to guarantee maximum liability in all scenarios.  For example, the user is alerted if the movement of the active camera is blocked, or if the VTR control leaks the audio during the rewinding or forwarding processes.

This mode can also be activated and de-activated remotely from the continuity system. The clocks counts backwards and continues to inform the operator concerning how much time is left to connect once again and be back on-air.  The clock also alerts the user about the heading time that is left for example or the time available for an event we are launching at this moment as another example.

SGO Natural Studio Features include:

One controls all

One operator can control cameras, lenses, VTRs, virtual backgrounds, titles, lighting, video mixing and audio levels.
Can interact with remote playback systems including the SGO News Playout system.

Hardware Console

• Specially designed ease of use.
• Ergonomic design.
• Robust button keys are well spaced out and backlit with LEDs.
• The console also provides specific buttons to launch graphics, inserts, transitions, etc…
• Specific video mixing T-Slider for sensible control of video transitions.

Camera Control

• Will control up to 5 live camera sources.
• Full pan, tilt, zoom, and focus control on the cameras.
• 7 memorized shot positions per camera.
• Provides intuitive control of the cameras via joystick.

The Interface

• VTR control where the user can define clips as IN and OUT point on the tape.
• VTR controller can be used to generate play out lists or EDLs.
• Control of the pre-rendered virtual set backgrounds.
• Allows control of background and graphics layers and other elements live and on air.
• Virtual set selection menu which allows to previsualize as many as 25 sets per page.
• Event manager provides information on sets and available changes.
• Allows users to capture real sets and use them as virtual backgrounds.
• Can manage unlimited numbers of virtual set environments.
• Provides automatic alpha key generation.
• Displays all the possible transitions we can use.
• Shows up to 6 light dimmers using 0-10v protocol.
• Provides programmable lighting transition effects.
• Shows independent information under each of the programmable camera shots.
• Shows information regarding movement, alpha key, set change over, and DVE video insert.
• Provides a clip library ready to launch with up to 36 video and audio clips.
• Displays input and output audio levels with needle based volume meters.
• Shows a action log that can help provide information on possible mistakes.

Titles Generator

• The system displays 2 monitors; one preview and another is live output.
• Includes a Title Manager to facilitate the inserting of titles in real time on air.
• Shows a title panel in which you can create and save your titles.
• Allows presets to be created and assigned to keys on the console.