AMSTERDAM—Zero Density, a global provider of virtual studio productions and on-air graphics, has appointed Baris Zavaroglu as its new CEO. Zavaroglu succeeds Ofir Benovici, who concluded his tenure with Zero Density at the end of 2024 after a pivotal two-year period focused on building a foundation for accelerated growth.

In his new role as CEO, Baris Zavaroglu will lead Zero Density’s executive team and oversee the company’s continued global expansion. Under his leadership, Zero Density says it "aims to evolve from a leading virtual production innovator into a comprehensive, end-to-end real-time graphics solution provider serving the needs of broadcasters, content creators, e-sports and studios worldwide."

Zavaroglu brings with him more than two decades of experience at the intersection of media, technology and innovation. Prior to joining Zero Density, he served in managerial positions at HBO Max, Turkcell, TV+, Merzigo, Veon, Fox and the Walt Disney Company, where he oversaw major platforms’ launches and expansion efforts across global markets. His extensive background also includes leadership roles at OTT, pay-TV, linear TV, Avod and Fast markets, with a proven track record of launching, scaling and transforming media companies.

“I am truly honored to join Zero Density at such an exciting time, a company renowned for its innovation and excellence in virtual production and real-time motion graphics,” said Zavaroglu. “I look forward to working closely with our talented team, partners and customers to drive the next phase of growth and deliver the next generation of storytelling tools to the industry.”

“Baris’s extensive experience and visionary leadership make him the ideal person to lead Zero Density into its next chapter,” added Kuban Altan, co-founder of Zero Density. “We are confident that under his guidance, the company will continue to set new standards in the industry and achieve greater heights.”

LAS VEGAS—Zero Density will demonstrate updates to its Traxis tracking platform and give attendees an opportunity for a hands-on experience with the new Reality5 virtual production platform during IBC 2023, Sept. 15-18, at RAI Amsterdam.

Featuring a three-camera virtual studio and a two-camera LED XR stage, the experiences—created in collaboration with KST Moschkau, Viaplay Group, Leyard, Optitrack and Avid—will seamlessly blend the physical and virtual worlds, the company said.

Every 30 minutes, visitors to the company’s booth will see demonstrations of a broad set of activities. There also will be sessions with guest speakers from NVIDIA, Epic Games and Zero Density clients.

The booth will explore advanced integration and robotics with Zero Density partner KT Moschkau; the fusion of Leyard’s display technology, Viaplay Group’s virtual studio and Zero Density; Traxis camera tracking; and one-hub control, featuring integration of the Avid iNews Newsroom Computer System (NRCS) with RealityHub for control over virtual production, on-air graphics and LED wall content, the company said.

Zero Density, KST and Leyard also will host happy hours Sept. 15, 16 and 17, beginning at 5 p.m.

Use the link to schedule an IBC meeting.

See Zero Density at IBC 2023 Stand 7.B01.

EMERYVILLE, Calif.—Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has entered into a strategic partnership with Zero Density that will result in ASG carrying Zero Density’s line of real-time virtual studio, augmented reality, and graphics technology designed for broadcast, esports, and live events.

“We’ve seen the incredible work that ASG’s done with innovative installs, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with such a talented team,” explained Yavuz Bahadıroğlu, Zero Density director of global channel management director for the U.S. and Canada. “We foresee a very bright future from this collaboration and know that together, we can help creatives deliver more realistic, eye-catching visuals more easily than ever before.”

The partnership expands ASG’s systems integration portfolio with options from Zero Density’s extensive series of high-end, real-time virtual studio, AR/XR and broadcast on-air graphics solutions, the companies reported. 

“They have an exceptional technology that we can deploy at our clients’ sites to yield what we believe is some of the highest quality XR-based production,” explained Dave Van Hoy, president of ASG. “We’re also very impressed with their customer track record. They're highly recommended by their existing client base. These are things that we evaluate carefully as we decide who to partner with.”

Zero Density is best known for Reality Engine - a real-time node-based compositing system that enables creative teams to stand out from the competition with next-generation Unreal Engine graphics. Reality Engine provides video I/O, keying, tracking, compositing, and rendering in one machine, making it easy to create photoreal 3D environments, AR graphics, XR productions and more – in real time, the companies explained. 

Other product highlights include Zero Density’s tracking brand Traxis with its AI-powered talent tracker and camera tracker. Built for both LED sets and green screen cycloramas, these tracking solutions let broadcasters spend less time worrying about photorealism, giving more space to focus on creativity. Zero Density recently announced a major update to Traxis and a new software bundle that will make photorealistic graphics accessible to all broadcasters, the company said. 

“They have a unique methodology for real-time rendering video wall backgrounds that when combined with their method of using camera tracking data makes a production much more photorealistic in real-time,” Van Hoy added. “They’re taking photorealistic XR to a new level. We believe it’s the highest quality available today.”

IZMIR, Turkey—Zero Density has named Ofir Benovici as its new Chief Executive Office, overseeing its commercial and product strategy, operations and geographical expansion as well as its move into new markets.

The developer of real-time virtual production and broadcast graphics products saw substantial growth last year, prompting Deloitte to name it one of Turkey’s 50 fastest-growing companies. Benovici takes the helm as the company expands its international footprint, hiring technical and sales team members in various regions and forming new industry partnerships.

“Whether it’s for a Hollywood blockbuster or an international sports tournament, the demand for realistic real-time graphics has never been higher,” said Kuban Altan, chairman of the board at Zero Density. 

“We’re determined to help bring the highest quality production to millions of viewers all around the world, and we are so pleased that Ofir agreed to join us in that mission. With his commercial and technical skills and diversified experience managing product lifecycles, we believe he’ll be the force that carries Zero Density into a new era.”

Benovici joins Zero Density after working as vice president of product management at Avid. Prior to that, he was vice president of product management and marketing at Orad Hi Tec Systems for more than 10 years.

“I believe Zero Density's cutting-edge products transform real-time production across industries, and I am looking forward to boosting Zero Density's growth, presence and influence further," said Benovici.

More information is available on the company’s website.

NEW YORK—Zero Density will be at NAB Show New York to showcase their latest technologies, including Reality Engine, a real-time broadcast compositing system that the company says enables “real-time visual effects pipelines featuring video I/O, keying, compositing and rendering in one single machine.

Reality Engine uses NVidia Quadro GPUDirect technology for high-performance video I/O in order to streamline real-time 4K UltraHD workflows. It uses Unreal Engine by Epic Games, as the 3D renderer.

Reality Engine supports industry-standard mechanical and optical camera tracking systems and can use the lens calibration data sent by the tracking devices. When the talent tracking data is acquired by Reality Engine, the engine positions the talent inside the virtual world in the correct position and depth. This technology automatically enables the creation of reflections and refractions of the talent.

According to the company, interaction between the real and physical is achieved with realism thanks to “Reality Engine’s industry first and only feature of compositing in 3D space. All process happens in one single machine.”

Visit Zero Density in booth 1545 to learn more.

IZMIR, Turkey—Zero Density has unveiled RealityHub 1.2, a massive update to its production software that lets broadcasters manage everything from real-time graphics to robotic cameras all in one place with a web browser. 

With the upgrade, users can integrate most on-set equipment, automation systems and external data sources to RealityHub straight out of the box, or simply leverage Zero Density’s open-source SDK to develop their own custom integrations, the company said. 

“In a single application, RealityHub grants our users the ability to configure, compile, launch and playout projects, while providing time-saving ways to optimize their workflow,” reported Andrew Maloof, senior graphics system engineer at The Weather Channel. “Centralizing these tools into an intuitive, easily-accessible web interface changes the game for our artists, engineers and graphics operators.”

Whether it’s for interactive touchscreen applications or large video wall productions, RealityHub’s HTML5 interface can now also be used to access Unreal Engine thanks to RealityHub 1.2’s new Unreal Engine Vanilla support, Zero Density announced. 

Combined with Reality Engine’s capabilities for virtual studio and broadcast graphics, the new RealityHub release will make it fast and easy for broadcasters to utilize Unreal Engine directly from the same platform they use to manage everything else in their studio.

“RealityHub was designed to help customers like The Weather Channel, Warner Media and Eurosport by bringing traditional standalone control systems into a web browser,” explained Kuban Altan, co-founder and vice president of R&D at Zero Density. “This lets teams manage entire broadcast setups without having to worry about long installation processes. With RealityHub 1.2’s Unreal Engine Vanilla support, we are now opening up to a future where RealityHub technology is more accessible than ever before, giving Unreal Engine creatives in broadcast, education, live events and any other industry the power to control every element of their production from a single hub.”

Other key benefits, according to Zero Density, include:  

• Stress-Free Teamwork — Promote collaboration with a web-based control interface that everyone can access on their tablet, laptop or desktop.
• Real-Time Data Integration — Keep your audience in the loop by natively connecting to data sources that will automate the display of weather, election, sports or financial information — as well as keep updating in real time.
• Native Integration with Broadcast Ecosystems — Integrate with Newsroom Control Systems such as Octopus with MOS or any proprietary protocol. REST API also allows users to integrate with automations and build third-party integrations.
• Free Community Edition — Supported by Zero Density’s recent MegaGrant from Epic Games, the Community version of RealityHub is feature-complete, but only accessible to one user at a time.

The Community Edition of RealityHub 1.2 will be available to download for free before the end of 2021. For updates on the release, visit www.zerodensity.tv/products/reality-hub.

IZMIR, Turkey—In the process of expanding its footprint around the world, Zero Density, which produces virtual studio production tools, has launched its U.S. East Coast Office. Onur Can Gulenc, who previously served as business development manager, has been promoted to territory manager of the U.S. East Coast Office and will oversee its build.

Onur Can Gulenc said in a press statement that the company made the move in order to further relationships with its clients. “We launched the U.S. East Coast Office to build long-term relationships, to listen to our partners and clients. We are here to build together. We will shape the future together.”

With the opening of the U.S. East Coast Office, Zero Density’s new control interface RealityHub will also hit the market. RealityHub allows integration with studio automations, Newsroom Computer Systems, robotic cameras and will enable broadcasters to utilize Unreal Engine for other broadcast graphics such as channel branding and more.

IZMIR, Turkey—Zero Density, a provider of virtual studio production tools, is setting up a new office in Los Angeles. The Hollywood office, which is set to open in September, will be led by Zero Density's former business development manager for Europe and APAC, Umut Özdemir, who has been appointed West Coast territory manager.

“I’ve been with Zero Density from the beginning and had the pleasure to recruit new regions to ZD’s vast network,” said Özdemir. “Today, I am excited to be assigned at such an important region to work with talented creative professionals to tell their stories in the most immersive way possible. Furthermore, I’ll dedicate myself to solidify partner and user relationships as well as introducing our ground-breaking product arsenal firsthand.”

The Hollywood office will expand its team and offer all Zero Density product suites alongside on-site supervision, technical consultancy and other services.

For more information, visit www.zerodensity.tv.  

LAS VEGAS—The Weather Channel has cut the ribbon on its new Reality Virtual Studio, which is brought to life by the help of advanced immersive virtual studio production tools from Zero Density.

Zero Density technology was added to The Weather Channel technology pipeline to visualize virtual graphics live. Specifically, this includes Zero Density’s Reality Engine.

A native Unreal Engine, node-based compositor, the Reality Engine offers photorealistic 3D virtual studio and augmented reality graphics. This will be used for The Weather Channel’s Immersive Mixed Reality Experiences, according to Michael Potts, vice president of design at The Weather Channel.

The studio officially debuted on June 2.

The Weather Channel has been using immersive, virtual reality technology for the last few years, having previously shown the potential impacts of tornadoes to its studio with graphics by The Future Group.

Below is a video of how The Weather Channel is using Zero Density technology in its new studio.

IZMIR, Turkey—With the goal of creating exciting virtual/augmented reality projects, Zero Density has announced a new partnership with U.S.-based Sequin AR.

As part of the partnership, Zero Density will provide its Reality Engine technology to Sequin AR’s creative team to assist with the creation of augmented reality, virtual sets and immersive experiences for broadcast and live events via the creation of the Augmented Reality TV and Film Division with ICM.

Zero Density’s Reality Engine is a real-time node-based compositor with keying technology that offers photorealistic 3D virtual studio and augmented reality images.