360° VR Tour of NDR’s Regional Broadcasting Centers

Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), the public broadcaster for northern Germany, regularly invites the public to visit its regional broadcasting centers in Schwerin, Kiel, and Hanover and its two Hamburg sites at Rothenbaum and Lokstedt, five locations in all, for a look behind the scenes. These tours are an excellent opportunity to get to know how a broadcaster works. However, visitors face two challenges: on the one hand, it is not always possible for them to travel to the broadcasting centers. On the other hand, many areas are off-limits during the tours because of ongoing operations.

To overcome these limitations, VRtual X developed a solution: a 360° video tour with a remote-controlled VR player that takes viewers through all the regional broadcasting centers virtually.

The solution: a virtual tour of NDR

For this project, we shot 360° videos in each regional broadcasting center that let viewers experience operations up close. A host guides viewers through the broadcasting centers, introduces staff members, and explains the various studios and control rooms. This brings NDR’s wide range of programming to life. With virtual reality headsets (VR headsets), users are fully immersed in the environment and experience NDR as if they were there in person. This works thanks to what is known as the immersion effect.

Technical implementation and user experience

To make the tour as simple and impressive as possible for viewers, we developed a dedicated player app for VR headsets. Users put on the headset and immediately find themselves in an environment designed by NDR. The tour guide can control the 360° videos centrally from a tablet, so all headsets show the same video in sync. This ensures a consistent experience, ideal for guided tours or presentations.

Flexible use: VR at events and in the broadcasting centers

130 VR headsets were purchased for this project and are used at a variety of events. Whether at concerts, trade shows, or information events, the regional broadcasting centers come directly to the public. The headsets are also an integral part of the regular on-site tours. A dedicated station lets visitors get familiar with the devices and explore the areas of the broadcasting center that are not accessible on a physical tour.

Mobile VR solutions for easy handling

So the VR experiences can also be used on the go, we developed rugged transport cases that contain everything needed: VR headsets, a control computer, and a powerful Wi-Fi router. Event organizers only have to plug the control case into a power outlet, and visitors can start their virtual tour, quickly and easily. The cases even have a battery for completely independent operation. All devices automatically start in operating mode, which ensures a smooth presentation and minimal effort to run.

NDR breaks new ground

With these 360° tours, NDR lets the public experience its regional broadcasting centers in a completely new way. The project shows how virtual reality not only overcomes geographical barriers but also opens up access to areas that are normally hidden. It creates closeness where there is physical distance and brings the broadcaster’s operations to life for anyone who is interested.