Construction of omnidirectional images for image-based virtual studio

To generate highly realistic scenes of a virtual studio, we are developing the technology for a new type of virtual studio which is based on image components from real videos instead of CG. We call the system an Image-Based Virtual Studio. The technology for two types of image components has been developed for the system. These are an environmental image component that is used to provide long shots and a three-dimensional image component that is used to provide medium shots and close ups. We have recently developed a principal-point alignment camera head that can be used to compose a large number of camera images into a single high-resolution omnidirectional image, as the environmental image component. We constructed an omnidirectional image (16,000x16,000 pixels) from about 1000 camera images, and were eventually able to use them to compose a seamless whole. We have developed an experimental high-definition image-based virtual studio based on such image components. The system's utility in TV program production has been confirmed.