Features

Realtime Camera Tracking

Depth Based Keying

Import Virtual Sets

Onboard RGBA Capture

Virtual Set Rendering

Export Tracking Data

Calibrate to External Camera

Syncable to External Camera*

Stream to External Apps

NextStage Lite

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

NextStage Pro

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Minimum Hardware and System Requirements

 

There are four main hardware and system requirements for NextStage Pro and NextStage Lite.

 

• 2nd Generation Microsoft Kinect
• Kinect Compatible Computer
• Retro-reflective Markers
• High Speed Storage -or- Cineform Codec

 

Please read this page carefully and make sure that you have, or will be able to meet all of the necessary requirements before purchasing NextStage Pro.

 

As NextStage Pro and NextStage Lite are currently in beta, these requirements are subject to change with future updates.

 

 

2nd Generation Microsoft Kinect

 

NextStage Pro and NextStage Lite require a 2nd generation Microsoft Kinect sensor. There are currently two versions of this sensor compatible with Windows;

 

• Kinect for Xbox One
• Kinect for Windows V2 (discontinued)

 

The Kinect for Xbox One sensor requires an additional

Kinect for Windows Adapter. Both the sensor and adapter

can be purchased online from the Microsoft Store.

 

The Kinect for Windows V2 sensor has been discontinued by Microsoft. Other than branding it is completely identical to the Kinect for Xbox One sensor. If you already have one of these sensors it should continue to be supported by NextStage and the Kinect SDK for the foreseeable future.

 

 

Kinect Compatible Computer

 

As long as the computer meets the minimum requirements for operating the Kinect, it should be able to run NextStage without issue.

 

• Windows 8 or 8.1, or Windows Embedded 8
• 64-bit (x64) processor
• Physical dual-core 3.1 GHz (2 logical cores per physical) or faster processor
• USB 3.0 controller dedicated to the Kinect for Windows v2 sensor or the Kinect Adapter for Windows for use with the Kinect for Xbox One sensor
• 4 GB of RAM
• Graphics card that supports DirectX 11

 

If a computer does not meet these requirements it may not be able to capture footage in real time, and may be unable to operate the Kinect sensor.

 

For more information on setting up the Kinect with Windows please visit Microsoft’s site.

 

 

Retro-reflective Markers

 

In order to track position and rotation, NextStage requires the Kinect Sensor to view 3 or more retro-reflective markers at any given time.

 

Retro-reflective materials redirect incoming light directly back to it’s source. In this case it directs light from the Kinect’s infrared emitter back to the Kinect’s infrared camera. This makes retroreflective markers very easy to identify.

 

A wide variety of retro-reflective fabrics, stickers and tape are available, and are commonly found on safety equipment. For more information on retro-reflective markers and best practices, please read the full tutorial.

 

 

High Speed Storage -or- Video Compression Codec

 

When capturing uncompressed RGBA footage, NextStage captures data at 110 Megabytes Per Second

(110MB/s) and requires a capture drive capable of equal or greater speed.

 

It is critical that both the write speed of the drive and the speed of the connection meet this requirement. For best results use solid state or RAID storage, with an internal connection speed equal to or faster then SATA II, or an external connection speed equal to or faster then USB 3.0.

 

Alternatively NextStage can encode HD footage using the Lagarith or CineForm codec.