Latency in Virtual Production

Latency is a Tracking term in filmmaking. In virtual production, the nuances of this term take on special meaning. Here, we break down the definition to give you a starting point.

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Basic Definition:

What is Latency in virtual production?

When talking about virtual production, latency is an essential term to understand. Latency refers to the delay between when a signal is sent and received at its destination. For LED walls to display real-time content in virtual production setups, latency should be as low as possible - typically under 10. milliseconds. If not, it can distort images or create a feeling of being ‘out of sync’ with the rest of the action.

An ideal latency for virtual production isn't perceivable by viewers; ideally, the signal will go from Point A to Point B instantaneously without any delay. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case due to equipment limitations, network speed, and other factors. That's why it's essential to take steps to improve latency whenever possible.

One way to reduce latency is to make sure you have reliable hardware that is designed specifically for live broadcasting applications. High-end video capture cards and encoders are usually equipped with dedicated processing chips that help deliver higher performance with less latency than typical consumer-grade components. Additionally, high-bandwidth connections such as fiber optics or 5G can also significantly lower latency levels by ensuring fast data transmission rates over long distances.

It's also critical to consider the arrangement of equipment within the signal flow in order to reduce latency. This includes choosing shorter cables wherever possible and connecting devices directly rather than through a router or switch. Lastly, many professional video switchers offer built-in delays that allow users to manually adjust the amount of time before a signal passes through their system so they can minimize latency and achieve the desired look.