StarTracker

Mo-Sys StarTracker is a real-time optical camera tracking system

Product Information
Tech Specs
Testimonials
Image Gallery
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There are a great number of reasons why you should track with Mo-Sys technology. StarTracker is an absolute system that always knows where it is that is suitable for both AR and VR. With no technician required, StarTracker could be the perfect optical tracking technology for your next project.

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Features and capabilities

The system looks at “stars”; which are small, identical retro-reflective stickers. These stickers are randomly applied to the studio ceiling or the lighting grid, with no additional structure required. Varying in height, the stars do not have to conform to any pattern and are hardly visible to the naked eye. A small LED sensor, mounted on the studio camera, shines light on the stars. This defines the star map, which allows the StarTracker to report the position and orientation of the studio camera in real time to the rendering engine.

Features and capabilities

Freedom of movement

StarTracker offers unlimited freedom of movement and gives accurate position, rotation and lens data in real-time - this makes it ideal for Steadicam and handheld. You can rotate the studio camera 360 degrees, and move it to any position in the studio, even right to the edge, as long as enough “stars” are in sight of the tracking camera. Whereas other systems are often restricted in their tracking volume, StarTracker can track in studios between 3m to 20m in height. Since the camera tracking sensor points up rather than looking into the scene, the tracking is unaffected by studio conditions, such as moving objects, set changes, lighting configurations, reflections and plain green screen environments.

Freedom of movement

No lighting restriction

As the “stars” can be applied randomly above the lighting grid, they do not restrict the studio lights in any way. Despite using optical tracking, StarTracker is unique in that it is unaffected by studio lighting. This gives you complete freedom to install and adjust lights as needed.

No lighting restriction

Ease of use

The initial set-up and calibration is quick and simple. Once you have applied the "stars" to the ceiling, a major part of the installation is done. From there, you must carry out a brief mapping and calibration process. Multiple cameras in the studio can track off the star map. Once calibrated, the system is fully automatic and starts tracking after being powered on. No extra technician is required for day-to-day operation.

Ease of use

Absolute tracking

StarTracker does not drift, unlike mechanical encoded pedestals that work on dead-reckoning and accumulate error with distance travelled. This excludes them from almost all AR applications. Because StarTracker is always referencing itself to its star map, its position is absolute and drift-free.

Absolute tracking

Cost-effective solution

StarTracker is the most cost-effective choice for unrestricted, real-time camera tracking. In fact, it is often the only viable option to track cameras in large areas. Having just one tracking sensor camera and lots of inexpensive “stars”, instead of having an array of expensive tracking cameras, makes it cost-efficient. By adding more stars to the ceiling, the tracking volume can be easily extended at a very low extra cost. You can even employ a single StarTracker system in several studios.

Cost-effective solution

Support and maintenance

StarTracker needs minimal maintenance and does not require a tracking operator. In the event of a problem, we can offer fast training and support, be it remote or on-site.

Support and maintenance

Technical Specifications

Weight 2kg
Processor Unit Dimensions 19 x 14 x 4.5cm
Sensor camera unit dimensions 7.5 x 7.5 x 7.5cm
Sensor IR or Blue LED
Power Input 100V - 240V
Data Output IP or RS422

We're just not worried about Mo-Sys. We've done 80+ productions and never had an issue with it.

Mark Pilborough-Skinner

Head of Virtual Production

The StarTracker performed brilliantly. It really is a wonder product.

Danny Popkin

Technical Manager

We've been using the StarTracker for almost two years now and its an incredibly stable system.

Tim Moore

CEO

StarTracker is extremely robust, once its set up and calibrated, which doesn't take long, you come in in the morning, turn it on and it just knows where it is, and its bullet proof, and that's exactly what you want. It's one less thing we need to worry about.

Jim Rider

Virtual Production Supervisor

We've been using Mo-Sys, and Startracker specifically for 3 years. Once you set it up, turn it on and within a couple of seconds it locks in and we're ready to do our virtual productions. Day after day we've been using the same Star Map, and we've been using that same Star Map for probably three years and its just rock solid, every time we turn it on. Every time we do a VR installation, we always recommend Mo-Sys because it is, in our opinion, the most stable, rock solid camera tracking you can get. Mo-Sys has been really great about their support.

Chris Tornow

Pfinix Creative Group

Mo-Sys products have allowed me to be a better film maker & work faster, and more efficiently at less cost.

Gary Adcock

Evangelist and New Technology Advocate in Media and Entertainment

Through the use of StarTracker we are now using real-time navigation using star clusters that get mounted to lighting grids, ceilings or anywhere above. Lighting does not interfere with StarTracker. If a unit gets blocked by lights it still only needs to see 15 stars or so to navigate properly. So a typical arrangement would be 30/40/50 stars at any time but what that enables us to do is, we no-longer need a floor target, so everything is referenced through StarTracker, and therefore every shot is a point-to-point exact measurement from the Mo-Sys StarTracker system.

Carl Bodeker

Technical Sales Manager
BBC Election 2015
StarTracker
Star stickers from last year's election studio are still hanging and can be used for 2015.
Year
2015
BBC logo
Star stickers from last year's election studio are still hanging and can be used for 2015.
BBC Election 2015
StarTracker
StarTracker on pedestal.
Year
2015
BBC logo
StarTracker on pedestal.
BBC Election 2015
StarTracker
Video wall with StarTracker
Year
2015
BBC logo
Video wall with StarTracker
BBC Election 2015
StarTracker
Two StarTracker on pedestals and Jeremy Vine pointing at the virtual Swingometer.
Year
2015
BBC logo
Two StarTracker on pedestals and Jeremy Vine pointing at the virtual Swingometer.
BBC Election 2015
StarTracker
Director Chris Cook handling pedestal with StarTracker.
Year
2015
BBC logo
Director Chris Cook handling pedestal with StarTracker.
BBC Election 2015 Wales
StarTracker
Preparation for BBC Wales coverage of General Election 2015 with tracking provided by an e-Crane with StarTracker.
Year
2015
BBC logo
Preparation for BBC Wales coverage of General Election 2015 with tracking provided by an e-Crane with StarTracker.
BBC Election 2015 Wales
StarTracker
e-Crane (with StarTracker) at BBC Wales Election studio.
Year
2015
BBC logo
e-Crane (with StarTracker) at BBC Wales Election studio.
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
Mo-Sys B20 on an encoded Moviebird45
Year
2014
BBC logo
Mo-Sys B20 on an encoded Moviebird45
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
BBC Election Studio with two StarTrackers in the green screen area.
Year
2014
BBC logo
BBC Election Studio with two StarTrackers in the green screen area.
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
StarTracker mounted to V70 head.
Year
2014
BBC logo
StarTracker mounted to V70 head.
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
Jeremy Vine and two StarTracker on pedestals.
Year
2014
BBC logo
Jeremy Vine and two StarTracker on pedestals.
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
Multiple Camera Angles with StarTracker system.
Year
2014
BBC logo
Multiple Camera Angles with StarTracker system.
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
StarTracker used in front of video wall
Year
2014
BBC logo
StarTracker used in front of video wall
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
Camera operator with StarTracker.
Year
2014
BBC logo
Camera operator with StarTracker.
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
Star stickers on lighting grid
Year
2014
BBC logo
Star stickers on lighting grid
BBC Election Night 2014
StarTracker
Two StarTracker systems at rehearsal
Year
2014
BBC logo
Two StarTracker systems at rehearsal
STV2 News
StarTracker
e-Crane in STV2 studio with B20 and StarTracker.
Year
2013
e-Crane in STV2 studio with B20 and StarTracker.
The 21st Question
StarTracker
StarTracker at London Studio ITV providing tracking data on an Mo-Sys encoded Jimmy Jib for quiz show "The 21st Question".
Year
2014
ITV logo
StarTracker at London Studio ITV providing tracking data on an Mo-Sys encoded Jimmy Jib for quiz show "The 21st Question".
The Weather Channel
StarTracker
The Weather Channel in Atlanta uses StarTracker for incredible AR presentation.
Year
2018
The Weather Channel logo
The Weather Channel in Atlanta uses StarTracker for incredible AR presentation.
ZDF Champions League
StarTracker
Downwards looking StarTracker used for mobile virtual Champions League studio for German TV station ZDF
Year
2016
ZDF logo
Downwards looking StarTracker used for mobile virtual Champions League studio for German TV station ZDF

Make an Enquiry

We are committed to providing unrivalled support and service, ensuring we maintain an ongoing relationship with our clients that keeps us fully engaged. For more information about how we can help your project, please contact us using the details below.

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+44 208 858 3205

Email Us

info@mo-sys.com

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