RealProtec is a technology company that offers innovative solutions for South Korea’s film and media industries. Its strong focus on virtual production enables production teams to streamline processes and bring their clients’ creative visions to life in a fast, efficient, and cost-effective manner. Supported by a highly skilled team and leveraging cutting-edge LED technologies from Brompton Technology and INFiLED, RealProtec collaborated with CJ OliveNetworks and Jinwoo M&C to create Gwangju Content Cube (GCC) VX Studio, the country’s largest VP studio operated by a Korean government organisation, the Gwangju Information & Content Agency.
GCC was created as a multifaceted space equipped with content production infrastructure for movies, games, and animations, alongside immersive content experience facilities like VR, AR, and MR. Its setup is expected to act as a breeding ground for cultural content-related start-ups and drive the job market in Gwangju.
“This is particularly significant as Gwangju boasts the only cultural industry investment promotion zone in Korea, closely connected to the National Asian Culture Centre and the Gwangju CGI Centre,” says COO of RealProtec, Sungbaek Choi.
Part of GCC, the new VX Studio covers 1,466sqm of the overall facility and features an AV system from Sony and a disguise vx4 media server and rxII render system, while the camera tracking system in operation is by STYPE. The main LED wall comprises INFiLED DB2.6 S8C LED panels, measuring an impressive 30m wide by 6m tall. INFiLED DF3.9mk-C8 LED panels are used to create a 15m by 10m floor, while the ceiling is constructed with INFiLED AR3.91 S8C panels, measuring 10m by 5m. The entire LED setup is powered by 27 Brompton Technology 4K Tessera SX40 LED processors, along with a whopping 106 Tessera XD 10G data distribution units, which work seamlessly with the Tessera SX40 to provide a single-box solution for data distribution with full data cable redundancy and effectively handle the challenges posed by this large LED display system.
“The SX40 processor’s real-time control response speed coupled with the Tessera software features, enable us to handle even the most complex shooting environments,” Choi explains. He further adds that the GCC VX Studio’s LED display and control system are both operating at ultra-low latency with 12-bit input and a 120Hz camera frame rate, and that data cable backup is a crucial aspect for them.
Choi notes that with every technology it is essential to strive for continuous improvement, as opposed to remaining stationary. “In that respect, the key lies in Brompton’s commitment to progressive developments. By providing continuous updates to their LED processors, they are providing invaluable support to system consultants and operators like us,” he adds.
Michael Hao, CEO of INFiLED comments: “We are delighted to have been a part of the GCC project, collaborating with our valued partners Brompton and RealProtec, enabling the creation of engaging and visually stunning experiences. As a leading provider of LED display solutions, INFiLED has been investing in XR/VP, and is committed to pushing the boundaries of immersive content experiences. The GCC project represents a significant milestone in the growth of the immersive content industry in Korea, with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies. We are proud to have contributed our LED products and technologies to this project. This collaboration showcases the power of technology and creative innovation, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in the industry.”
“It’s great to be a part of the VX Studio project, a remarkable initiative that pioneers the country’s first-ever hybrid realistic photography facility that is capable of operating LED wall-based In-Camera VFX (ICVFX) and XR stages simultaneously, further supporting the stability expected from the immersive content industry, not just in South Korea but on an international scale,” concludes Elijah Ebo, director of APAC Operations at Brompton Technology. “With Brompton continuously extending the possibilities of what’s possible with LED video processing technology, it is LED manufacturer partners such as INFiLED, our valued partners like RealProtec, and exceptional projects like GCC VX Studio that serve as a testament to the true impact of our team’s unwavering commitment to crafting cutting-edge product and software LED processing solutions.”