720740Codex IViSClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKThe twenty-four month [Codex IViS] project will develop a professional camera rig for capturing live-action immersive video for the creation of high-quality immersive experiences. The system will be lightweight, portable, and designed to produce very high quality media for entertainment, documentary and education, commercials and marketing. There is a wave of excitement about the potential for immersive video and VR to put the viewer ‘inside the experience.’ Inspired by emerging consumer-level displays (such as the Oculus Rift, Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear, Microsoft HoloLens, HTC VIVE and Sony Morpheus), film and VFX companies are experimenting with ways of making immersive experiences using 360º stereoscopic video. These developments point to the birth of an exciting new mass medium, which creates a need for a professional immersive video camera system capable of delivering cinematic quality from a reasonably priced compact system. No such system is yet available on the market, making it difficult and labour intensive to capture high quality immersive experiences. The project will develop a complete immersive video capture system, comprising: • A very compact camera head, integrating camera lenses, HD digital video sensors and camera electronics into a single unit; • A tethered data recording and storage unit, using solid-state drives, with all electronics not immediately associated with the camera head; • Firmware to control the operation, camera synchronisation, data recording to drives in the base rack, monitoring outputs from each sensor, data copying and conversion for stitching and postproduction using third-party software tools. Codex will market the resulting product to film and TV industry equipment rental companies, through its established sales and marketing offices in London and Los Angeles, and its network of distributors and resellers worldwide.