With the BBC’s limited budgets, the technology must pay its way, so the 2D box is being developed as a saleable product However, he says, “3D has to be our ultimate goal”. The BBC is working with Silicon Graphics and others on more sophisticated systems that will allow the use of hand-held cameras and give much higher resolution. They are also expensive: an Onyx supercomputer costs pounds 250,000.But the BBC has developed a system using low-cost 2D video effects to create a similar look. John Wollner, the BBC’s head of TV Studio Production Resources, feels that real-time virtual studios are not good enough to be used outside news and sport.

An entire set can be stored on a disk or sent by modem for regional editions of a show.The BBC uses simple virtual sets for its main news programmes, and BBC2’s Working Lunch allows different views within its virtual reality environment But these are pre-recorded effects. It also saves on rigging, storage, construction and maintenance, as one person can design, construct and rig a set in a week. The assistant executive producer, Eva Rutgerson Bie, says the virtual studio “is a new and daring experience”.IMP Studio Hamburg, the co-producer, is the world’s most experienced virtual-studio producer, with several regular shows on German TV. Silicon Graphics is providing the Onyx Infinite Reality supercomputers, while software comes from Discreet Logic of Canada.Virtual studios allow broadcasters to create sets that would otherwise be impossible and to change them quickly. It may be a bit much to hope that next Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest will bring us new sounds, but it has got a new name and a new look.

EuroSong ‘96, from Oslo, will also be the first chance many viewers have of seeing a “virtual studio” in action. The presenters will be real, but the 3D animated set will be created by a computer. To do this, the stage will be covered by blue backing, with markers showing people where to stand. Computers will then generate a transparent score board that will emerge from the floor.
The 70-minute voting sequence will be the longest live virtual-reality programme ever broadcast, and NRK, the Norwegian broadcaster, admits it is taking quite a gamble with it. At least the possibility that everything goes horribly wrong will provide interest as we wait to see whether anyone gives Britain (Gina G’s “Just a Little Bit”) any points.The Norwegians – famous for once achieving nuls points – reckon the collecting of the votes has traditionally been the most boring aspect of the finale. it’d save us loads of time and money.” Except that if were doing the same thing at home, the bills would be mounting and the phone would be engaged all that time.

By now, he had been “surfing” for over two hours.He moved on to the Internet Relay Chat The Net had secured a new convert “It’s not going to be a fad,” he said finally “All it can do is get bigger It’s just going to break through.”. The only way you can find out stuff like this is by the post or telephone, which is pretty awkward.” Could he imagine having this at home? “Yeah, definitely,” he said, not even looking up from the screen.Having had his fill of Alaska, Carl headed for hotter climes and Greece, where he and his friends are planning a holiday. “We’ve been looking through all these brochures and phoning round travel agents,” he explained. “But with this, all you’ve got to do is sit indoors, five minutes, and you’re tapped into whatever you need… “I thought it was only for rich people.”Once in front of a terminal, he showed a natural aptitude for the technology and needed little assistance to get going. “Can you find out anything about mountaineering expeditions?” he asked.A few minutes later, he was flicking through an information service specialising in mountaineering and hiking in Alaska Carl was impressed: “There’s loads of stuff, it’s amazing. TO ALASKACarl Palmer, 19, is studying for A-levels in psychology, economics and general studies at the local college.”Yeah, I’ve heard of the Internet,” said Carl.

“It connects people through modems, etcetera.” What’s it for? “Just to keep people in touch around the world.” He had also seen the hi-tech thriller The Net, but had never ventured online himself. He moved on and found another group discussing Graceland’s favourite son. “I thought Elvis was dead,” he offered, and was told he did not have the faintest.David was engrossed with the chat forums for the next couple of hours, but he admitted he was treating it as a sort of computer game “It’s just fun.”CARRIED AWAY … The idea of chatting to people on screen anywhere in the world was “cool” Not that people seemed especially desperate to chat to him “Hi All, I’m from Essex,” he began in one chat forum No one responded. Ian gave him a quick tour of a few well-known Web sites and then pointed him towards the home pages of various bands and fan clubs. But David showed only a vague flicker of interest.It was only when Ian showed him the Internet Relay Chat that his attitude changed. I haven’t got the hang of the system yet,” he said as he tried to move the cursor into position on the screen with the trackpad.