3D content capture makes it possible to bring together the performances of live performers and endless possibilities of digital spaces. For years, movie studios and video game developers have used this tech to produce lavish visual spectacles. But for 3D content capture to be useful in wider contexts, it needed a transformative change: it needed to go real-time.
Evercoast makes magic in the moment
Evercoast, headquartered in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, is transforming 3D content capture and sharing by doing just that. Leveraging cutting-edge volumetric capture technology, Evercoast is making Hollywood-caliber 3D production portable, cost-effective, and accessible to a broader audience. From real-time sports interviews to advanced academic research, Evercoast’s solutions create stunning 3D visual experiences worldwide.
Central to this innovation is their flagship software, Mavericks, which integrates multiple camera feeds into a full 3D asset. Evercoast’s volumetric capture solution involves surrounding a performer with cameras capturing different angles, which are stitched into a 3D digital asset using Mavericks software.
Powerful yet affordable hardware enables real-time 3D content capture
As you might imagine, it takes potent hardware to deliver real-time volumetric video with minimal latency, but that’s necessary for live applications like sports interviews and immersive classrooms. Evercoast needs equipment capable of processing massive 3D datasets efficiently and with high visual fidelity to ensure accurate and lifelike captured assets.
“We’re trying to take the kind of volumetric capture you see in Hollywood and make it portable and affordable,” says Ben Nunez, co-founder and CEO of Evercoast. “But to do that, we need the most advanced technology available.”
With the latest ASUS NUC Mini PCs, that level of performance is not only available, it’s attainable in ultra-small form factor PCs. At the heart of Evercoast’s system is the ASUS NUC 14 Performance, featuring an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor and an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 discrete GPU. This setup allows Evercoast to deliver a live-streamed 3D asset with only 300 to 500 milliseconds of lag, ensuring seamless real-time interactions for broadcasts or virtual interviews.
One key advantage of the NUC 14 Performance is that it offers an integrated neural processing unit, or NPU, for machine learning and AI processing. This AI integration is critical for Evercoast as they move towards generative AI workflows, enhancing their ability to create immersive 3D experiences.
The ProArt Display PA24US delivers accurate on-set color
One essential tool in Evercoast’s on-set production is the ProArt Display PA24US, a 24-inch 4K HDR monitor with professional-grade color accuracy, wide color gamut support, and 12G SDI connectivity. SDI cables are preferable for production sets, as they allow for longer cables than HDMI alternatives and their connectors lock into place to make sure that a jostled cable doesn’t halt production.
The PA24US includes a built-in motorized colorimeter to streamline the process of maintaining accurate colors, and with ProArt Preset it allows users to set it up in any color space in seconds. High-quality ergonomic features make it easy to set up, mount, use, and pack away quickly — crucial for mobile production companies that need to stay light on their feet.
The ProArt Display PA32UCXR ensures post-production precision
For post-production, Ben and the Evercoast team prefer larger monitors with high-end HDR capabilities. The 32-inch ProArt Display PA32UCXR is the perfect fit for their needs.
Its 4K UHD resolution, true 10-bit color depth, and 1600-nits peak brightness set it apart from the pack, but it goes above and beyond with its HDR capabilities. A Mini LED backlight with 2304 local dimming zones allows it to achieve 1000 nits of sustained brightness without partial patch limitations.
“It’s essential that what we see on-screen matches the final product,” says Nunez. “Accurate color reproduction allows us to create assets indistinguishable from reality.” The PA32UCXR offers industry-leading color accuracy and wide color gamut coverage to ensure color accuracy and fidelity across all 3D captures, and its built-in colorimeter with support for self and auto calibration makes it easy to maintain that level of accuracy over the long term.
3D content capture goes live
Evercoast has established itself at the forefront of volumetric capture technology. Its advancements in real-time 3D streaming, empowered by ASUS ProArt displays and NUC Mini PCs, are revolutionizing fields from entertainment to academia.
In the realm of sports broadcasting, Evercoast facilitates live 3D interviews with athletes. At major events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics, broadcasters used real-time volumetric capture to stream athlete interactions to global audiences. This innovation breaks down geographical barriers while providing high-quality, instantaneous, and captivating content.
“The future of 3D content is limitless,” Nunez concludes. “And thanks to ASUS’ solution, we’re bringing that future to life today.”