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CoSTARCoSTAR

Realtime Lab

The Realtime Lab pioneers new frontiers in real-time technology and virtual production, pushing the boundaries of creativity in gaming, film, and animation.

With state-of-the-art studio facilities in Dundee and Edinburgh, the Realtime Lab is a collaborative space for industry leaders, creative visionaries, and researchers to explore virtual production. Looking at the integration of real-time and AI technologies, this lab is a hub for experimenting with dynamic interactive experiences. 

Where
Water Edge, Dundee First Stage Studios, Edinburgh
Led by
Abertay University
Partners
The University of Edinburgh Chroma Developments CodeBase Interface
Meet our Realtime Partners

how it works at realtime lab

Areas of expertise

The Realtime Lab team is based at Abertay University and the University of Edinburgh, working in collaboration to advance immersive and real-time technologies for the UK’s creative industries. Abertay University brings its world-leading expertise in gaming, interactive entertainment, and digital technology while Edinburgh has a global reputation in film, television and animation production, as well as excellence in machine learning and artificial intelligence. 

Funding and Support

We will be involved in Access Programmes focusing on either Enterprise and Commercialisation (E&C) or Prototyping and pilots Programme (PPP). E&C supports early growth businesses and startups with a series of development programmes and PPP invites innovators to apply for funding for specific project opportunities. The Access Programmes are run by the CoSTAR National Lab and can be accessed from any of our labs across the UK.  

Facilities

The Realtime Lab is a space where creativity and cutting-edge technology come together. Offering access to state-of-the-art facilities, along with funding and expertise for research & development, the lab helps creative organisations to explore the potential of virtual production and real-time technology. Get in touch to discuss how you can work with us to experiment, collaborate and bring bold ideas to life.

Facility specifications include:

  • Fully commercial capable virtual production studio using the latest technologies and techniques. Most suitable for medium sized productions such as TV shows, Music Videos and advertising shoots.

  • LED Screen: 15*3 meter AOTO (1.5mm pixel pitch) screen. Movable light panels and ROE 3.6*3.6-meter LED roof for full 360 degree lighting for Virtual Production

  • Powered by 4 Brompton Sq200 LED processors

  • Rendering by 3 Dedicated custom-built rendering machines each running RTX A6000 GPU's (Ada Lovelace Generation)

  • All Rendering and Brompton systems will be running Video over IP (SMPTE 2110) for real-time virtual production.

  • Control System: Dedicated single machine using Nvidia RTX 4090 graphics processing. Which controls all rendering machines and LED processors.

  • Networking using Nvidia Mellanox switch and Bluefield 2 Network cards

  • Grandmaster clock: Brainstorm DXD8 for genlock and Synch.

  • Camera Tracking: provided by Mosys StarTracker MAX

  • Camera and Lenses From CANON: New Canon C400 and RF lenses to shoot with which directly interface into the Unreal engine virtual Production System

CALLS ARE OPEN — APPLY FOR ACCESS PROGRAMMES

Our funding programmes are delivered through each of the CoSTAR Network labs. For more information go to Funding & Support

Meet our partners at Realtime Lab

Lead Partner - Abertay University
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The University of Edinburgh
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Chroma Development
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CodeBase
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Interface
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People at Realtime Lab

Professor Gregor WhiteDirector, CoSTAR Realtime Lab
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Professor Melissa Terras Co-Director
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Dr Andrea McSwanR&D Producer
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Yasmin SulaimanSVP of Ecosystems at CodeBase
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Phillip VaughanCoSTAR Realtime and National Lab Co-I in Dynamic Realtime Environments
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Dr Caterina MoruzziCoSTAR Realtime Lab Co-I in AI
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Emily BaileyCoSTAR Realtime Lab R&D Fellow in VFX and Virtual Production Pipelines
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Ecem InceCoSTAR Realtime Lab R&D Fellow in Co-Design, User Evaluation and Audiences
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Caroline ParkinsonCoSTAR Realtime Lab Industry Engagement
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Sabrina CarterCoSTAR Realtime Lab Administrative Assistant
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Dr Calum MainCoSTAR Realtime Lab Postdoctoral Research Fellow in XR Technologies
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Dr Andrew ConnorCo-Investigator CoSTAR Realtime Lab
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