The competition has quickly become one of the most representative student events in China’s virtual production landscape. It is co-organized by the Milan Design Week Committee and the VPC Organizing Committee, with support from leading institutions including the Shanghai Film Academy, Jilin University of the Arts, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, and Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications. Since its launch in 2023, the competition has grown from 28 participating teams to 411 in 2025, establishing itself as a key platform where emerging talent engages with the production tools shaping the industry.

What sets this year apart is a stronger focus on access. Virtual production can still feel like a black box for students entering the field. Rather than simply supplying equipment, AOTO opened up its working environments to show how these systems operate in practice.

On March 20, AOTO hosted the Shenzhen leg of the competition at its headquarters, turning its studio into a hands-on training environment. Students and faculty explored MetaBox 4KK Virtual Production setups, XR production workflows, and the growing role of AI in on-set processes.

A few days later, on March 24, AOTO participated in the Central China regional launch at Wuhan Institute of Engineering Science and Technology. Instead of a traditional keynote, the session focused on discussion—bringing together academics and industry professionals to examine how AI and XR are being applied in real-world production today.

Following the event, AOTO organized a visit to the Virtual Production Lab at Hubei University of Technology, giving students the opportunity to experience the workflow firsthand.

China has established a strong competitive edge in LED display and virtual production hardware, with its technical capabilities now recognized globally. The industry is accelerating its shift—from competing on technology alone to building out a full ecosystem. For AOTO, supporting the VPC is part of a broader effort to help drive that transition.

We have established partnerships with more than 20 universities in China and internationally, including the Beijing Film Academy, Norwich University of the Arts (UK), and Hong Kong Baptist University. These collaborations reflect a shared challenge: students need more than access to equipment—they need to understand how creative intent and technical execution come together on set.

Helping students enter the industry with practical, hands-on experience is where AOTO sees its greatest impact—and where efforts like the VPC can make a lasting difference.

As a leading commercial network in Ireland, Virgin Media Television reaches approximately 2.7 million viewers each week. Among audiences aged 15–44, its commercial impact surpasses that of national broadcaster RTÉ by 18%. The network also holds long-term rights to premium sports properties including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League—raising the bar significantly for studio performance. In this context, display systems are expected to meet the same standards as high-end live sports production.

That standard ultimately comes down to what the industry values most: on-camera reliability. A display that looks impressive on a showroom floor must still hold up under broadcast conditions—through the lens of a camera and across hours of continuous live transmission. Consistency, color accuracy, and stability are not optional; they are essential.

AOTO’s CV-MINI series was designed with exactly these demands in mind. Built for high-end broadcast environments, it delivers stable, true-to-life visuals even under prolonged, high-intensity use.

Áine Egan, Head of Broadcast Operations at Virgin Media Television, commented:
“We’re proud to see this advanced LED solution come to life in Studio 1. For a live production environment as demanding as ours, clarity, color accuracy, and on-camera stability are critical—and this system delivers all of that with exceptional performance.”

The performance of the CV-MINI series is underpinned by several core technologies. AOTO’s proprietary Mini 4-in-1 architecture, combined with a nano-level surface coating, enables deeper blacks and higher contrast for greater visual depth. Smaller LED chips contribute to improved stability and refined optical performance, supporting continuous, high-demand operation. With a 110% NTSC color gamut, the system ensures precise color reproduction, allowing every frame captured on camera to appear natural and true. Exceptional black uniformity further allows the display to blend seamlessly into darker studio environments without visual distraction.

The Virgin Media Television project adds to AOTO’s growing portfolio of more than 100 broadcast studio installations worldwide. From Europe and the Middle East to North America and Asia, AOTO solutions are used by leading news organizations including Al Jazeera, BBC, ITV, Sky Deutschland, CNN, and others.

This global footprint reflects more than technical capability—it underscores AOTO’s role in shaping visual standards for modern broadcast environments. Rather than simply supplying display hardware, AOTO works as part of the production ecosystem, supporting every broadcast moment with technology built for reliability, precision, and performance.

Designed for high-end film and TV production, the studio reflects a clear shift toward more scalable, production-ready virtual workflows—moving beyond experimentation into everyday use.

At the center of the studio is our RM1.9 LED display system, forming a large-scale LED volume with a 60-meter-wide, 10-meter-high curved main wall, supported by four movable extension panels (7m × 4.5m each). The setup is built to match the demands of real-world production, giving crews the flexibility to move quickly while maintaining consistent on-camera results.

On the processing side, the system runs on Brompton Technology’s Tessera platform, with 30 Tessera SX40 4K processors and 60 Tessera XD 10G data distribution units. This combination ensures clean on-camera performance, stable output under challenging shooting conditions, and accurate color reproduction across the entire volume.

From a production standpoint, the studio is designed to handle fast-paced, complex shoots. High refresh rates and low latency support smooth capture of motion-heavy scenes, while high contrast and color accuracy help minimize reflections and color inconsistencies. Scenes can be switched quickly, and the system integrates seamlessly with mainstream real-time rendering workflows.

In practical terms, this means productions—especially those involving complex environments like sci-fi or fantasy—can be executed far more efficiently. Compared to traditional approaches, production costs can be reduced by up to 90%, with overall efficiency gains exceeding 55%.

Beyond the LED volume, the studio integrates technologies such as real-time digital human systems, AI-based image segmentation, and SMPTE ST 2110, helping standardize workflows and making virtual production a more repeatable, reliable tool for content creation.

For us, this project is another step in seeing how LED display technology is becoming core infrastructure for modern filmmaking. As more studios move toward industrialized production models, the focus is no longer just on what’s possible—but on what’s practical, repeatable, and scalable.

This is no longer a future direction—it’s already taking shape, and we’re part of that shift.

WUHAN, China — At South-Central Minzu University, students in the School of Journalism and Communication are stepping beyond traditional broadcast training into a real-time virtual production environment. A newly launched XR studio combines a curved LED wall with a synchronized LED floor, enabling seamless transitions between virtual newsrooms, urban environments, cultural settings, and fully digital scenes.

The purpose-built facility is designed to support the full content production workflow—from concept development and virtual scene creation to real-time filming—within a single controlled space. By consolidating these processes, the studio provides students with a more direct and practical understanding of modern media production.

At the core of the installation is AOTO’s U Series LED wall, engineered for XR applications and capable of forming seamless curved configurations. Its low reflectivity and high refresh rate ensure stable on-camera performance, minimizing artifacts such as moiré and flicker during filming.

The setup is complemented by the IFV4X LED floor, which enhances spatial realism by maintaining consistent perspective and natural light interaction between physical subjects and digital environments. Built with protective GOB technology, the system is designed to withstand the demands of frequent academic use.

A key advantage of the studio lies in its real-time, “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” workflow. Unlike traditional production methods that rely heavily on post-production, this environment allows students to visualize and adjust scenes instantly, improving both efficiency and creative decision-making.

Beyond technical training, the studio also supports applications in virtual broadcasting, digital storytelling, and immersive content creation. As a university with a strong focus on ethnic studies, South-Central Minzu University is expected to leverage this platform to explore new approaches to cultural storytelling through XR technologies.

The project further strengthens AOTO’s presence in the education sector. The company has powered over 100 XR/VP studios worldwide, including more than 20 university installations across China, the US, and Europe, with projects at institutions such as Beijing Film Academy, Norwich University of the Arts, and DeSales University.

At the heart of this milestone is the CINITY LED cinema projection system, developed by CHINA FILM TECH (CFT) and powered by AOTO. The system’s high brightness, 4K resolution, HDR rendering, and 48fps high-frame-rate support delivered Avatar: Fire and Ash with unparalleled detail and realism. For AOTO, the premiere marks the most high-profile global deployment of its LED cinema technology to date.

On December 8, a select audience at the film’s China premiere in Sanya became the first in the world to experience Avatar: Fire and Ash in a fully customized CINITY LED environment. That moment, however, was the result of months of behind-the-scenes technical validation. Earlier this year, engineers from AOTO worked alongside the CINITY technical team from CFT at James Cameron’s production studio in Wellington, New Zealand, where a full-scale CINITY LED demonstration system was installed inside the director’s private facility. The private screening focused on key sequences from Avatar: The Way of Water, presented entirely in the CINITY LED format. The visual impact proved decisive—upon reviewing the footage, Cameron and his team immediately endorsed CINITY LED and confirmed its use for the China premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Following the demonstration, Cameron described the CINITY LED 3D presentation as “exceptional” and “visually overwhelming,” calling it a transformative breakthrough for cinema projection. He subsequently approved the creation of a dedicated 4K 3D 48fps CINITY LED version of Avatar: Fire and Ash, making it the first Hollywood import film to be released theatrically in this LED-based high-frame-rate format.

AOTO’s role in enabling this achievement is rooted in a long-term, deeply integrated collaboration with CFT. In 2018, AOTO began forward-looking research into LED cinema display technology. In 2021, AOTO and CFT jointly developed a next-generation, high-spec LED cinema screen based on proprietary technology. A 16-meter 4K CINITY LED system achieved DCI certification in 2023. In 2025, the collaboration reached another milestone when the CINITY LED system became the world’s first to pass DCI CTP 1.4.1 certification—providing the technical foundation required for showcasing Hollywood’s most demanding productions.

What distinguishes AOTO’s contribution is not a single specification, but a system-level approach to cinema display engineering. Acoustically transparent LED modules enable uncompromised sound performance; high-frame-rate processing ensures smooth, artifact-free motion; HDR color and brightness remain stable under extreme conditions; and modular structural design allows seamless integration into commercial theaters. These capabilities directly address the creative and technical expectations of filmmakers operating at the highest level.

The impact of this technology extends well beyond a single premiere. By the end of November 2025, more than 200 commercial theaters across China had adopted the CINITY LED format, reflecting a broader shift within the exhibition industry. LED cinema screens are no longer viewed as experimental alternatives, but as a mature, scalable solution for premium film presentation.

Across the industry, creators and exhibitors alike are rethinking what a theatrical experience can be. LED-based projection offers new possibilities for 3D, high frame rate storytelling, and visual consistency that traditional systems struggle to match. Through its work with CINITY, AOTO has become an integral part of this transformation, helping to shape a new reference standard for cinematic display.

The collaboration also signals a wider change in the global film technology landscape. China is no longer only an end market for advanced cinema equipment, but an active contributor to internationally certified projection systems. Through its partnership with CFT, AOTO has evolved from a technology supplier into a global co-developer, supporting end-to-end cinema solutions capable of serving the world’s most influential film franchises.

The future of cinema display is no longer theoretical. It is immersive, high-frame-rate, LED-driven—and it is now live on screen.

Located in the Kai Tak Development Area, the new complex includes a 50,000-seat main stadium, an indoor sports arena, a 5,000-seat youth sports ground, and surrounding commercial and leisure areas. AOTO’s displays form the visual backbone of the venue, supporting both professional event operations and the broader visitor experience.

In the main stadium, a nearly 900sqm outdoor LED display serves as a central platform for live footage, scoring, and event updates, ensuring that spectators across the venue have clear visibility even under changing weather and lighting conditions. Inside the indoor arena, a combination of main screens and surrounding LED ribbons creates an immersive 360-degree viewing experience, allowing audiences to follow every movement on the court with detail and precision.

Additional LED systems throughout the complex—including high-brightness outdoor displays at the youth sports ground, digital signage across public areas, and dedicated media room displays—provide a unified operational network that supports everything from crowd guidance to press communications. The system is designed for continuous, stable performance, enabling the venue to manage large-scale sporting events efficiently while enhancing the audience experience.

Although built in preparation for the National Games, the LED infrastructure is intended as a long-term asset for Hong Kong. The displays will support future concerts, international competitions, and cultural events, making the technology a versatile component in the park’s ongoing operation.

AOTO’s work at Kai Tak Sports Park reflects more than three decades of experience in large-venue visual systems. The company has supported major sporting events worldwide, including installations for FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship venues, various professional leagues across Asia, and major international projects ranging from airports to public landmarks. This project marks another milestone in AOTO’s efforts to advance integrated, high-reliability display solutions for large public venues.

As Hong Kong approaches its role in the 15th National Games, the Kai Tak Sports Park stands as a new centerpiece of sports culture in the region. AOTO’s display systems will help deliver the clarity, responsiveness, and operational reliability required for world-class competition, contributing to a memorable experience for athletes and spectators alike.

A total of 383 E8 Series outdoor cabinets were deployed along the Nordschleife to support the track’s communication and event operations. Throughout testing sessions and record attempts, the displays delivered live timing, performance data, sponsor messaging, and event updates, maintaining visibility in challenging outdoor conditions that ranged from direct sunlight to rain and high-speed wind exposure.

This year’s activities at the Nürburgring drew significant attention as several electric vehicle manufacturers completed milestone laps:
• Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra set a production EV record of 7:04.957 in June 2025
• BYD’s Yangwang U9Xtreme became one of the few road-legal EVs to break the seven-minute mark, posting 6:59.157 in September

As manufacturers continue to use the Nürburgring as a global benchmark for engineering capability, the need for reliable visual communication infrastructure has grown accordingly. AOTO’s displays contributed to creating a clear and consistent visual environment for teams, spectators, and broadcast applications.

AOTO’s work at the Nürburgring builds on its broader presence in high-performance and high-traffic environments worldwide. The company’s LED solutions are installed in more than 180,000 locations, including major international airports, global sporting venues such as FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship stadiums, and landmark public spaces including Times Square in New York and the London Olympic Torch Tower.

The collaboration with the Nürburgring reflects AOTO’s ongoing focus on delivering dependable display systems for real-world, mission-critical environments. As automotive manufacturers continue to push the limits of vehicle performance, AOTO remains committed to supporting the venues that document these defining moments.

At the heart of this milestone are 2,336 units of AOTO RM1.5 LED displays, delivering cinematic image quality with a 7680Hz refresh rate, 99.9% DCI-P3 color gamut, and ultra-low reflectivity. Combined with AOTO’s patented Mini 4-in-1 LED design, the RM series effectively suppresses moiré while doubling the light-emitting aperture ratio from 40% to 80%, ensuring seamless, lifelike visuals under the most demanding shooting conditions.

Dynamic Creativity with AOTO LED Technology

Unlike traditional fixed-volume stages, NantStudios’ DVS is built on WallPods, a modular LED system designed for rapid reconfiguration. With AOTO RM1.5 panels, the system enables:

• Full mobility with omni-directional wheels for flexible repositioning

• Auto-leveling sensors that guarantee stability during adjustments

• Seamless connections with <0.1mm installation tolerance through AOTO’s modular assembly + intelligent calibration process

This meticulous engineering ensures uninterrupted, photorealistic performance even during large-scale volume reshaping, giving directors and cinematographers unprecedented creative freedom.

Global Expertise, Local Delivery

NantStudios’ choice of AOTO was informed by the company’s proven track record:

• 100+ virtual production projects worldwide tailored to balance performance and cost

• On-site support from AOTO’s professional engineering teams, ensuring flawless execution

• A 24/7 global service network backed by proprietary remote operation and maintenance systems, enabling minute-level diagnostics and repair

This end-to-end expertise — from design through post-deployment support — ensures AOTO technology is not just innovative but also reliable at scale.

Recognized by the World’s Leading Studios and Tech Giants

AOTO’s LED solutions have already powered some of the world’s most iconic virtual productions:

• The neon-drenched Gotham nights in The Batman

• The aerial combat sequences of Apple TV’s Masters of the Air

The company’s innovations are trusted by NVIDIA, Meta, Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Google, Tencent, China Film Group, and Korea’s XON, among many others.

From Hollywood blockbusters to global technology leaders, AOTO has become a preferred partner in pushing the boundaries of virtual storytelling.

AOTO: Proud to Support NantStudios’ Vision

The Dynamic Volume System is not only a milestone for virtual production but also a testament to NantStudios’ leadership in pioneering new creative platforms.

“Stage #2 reinforces NantStudios’ position as a global leader in next-generation virtual production. We are proud that our RM1.5 LED technology could support NantStudios’ vision, helping to deliver a platform that transforms how stories are created,” said Bing, Vice President of AOTO USA.

The new studio reflects the Academy’s push to integrate production technology directly into its curriculum, giving students access to the same workflows used across today’s film, television, and commercial production sectors. Built around real-time rendering and in-camera VFX techniques, the LED environment enables a true “what you see is what you get” approach—allowing students to learn through hands-on creative practice rather than relying solely on traditional green-screen processes.

By working inside a fully functioning LED volume, students gain practical experience in virtual art direction, lighting, camera operation, motion tracking, and on-set visualization. The setup supports an end-to-end production workflow that links classroom instruction with industry-standard methodology, offering a clearer pathway between academic training and real-world production environments. For the Academy, the studio also represents a strategic step toward modernizing its film education model and strengthening the integration of research, teaching, and practice.

The collaboration with Shanghai Film Academy builds on AOTO’s broader work in academic virtual production. Similar LED stages have been established at institutions such as Beijing Film Academy and Hubei University of Technology, helping bring XR and VP capabilities into structured film and media programs. Internationally, AOTO has supported universities including Solent University, Warwick Business School, Rose Bruford College, LAMDA University, Abertay University, and DeSales University, where LED stages are increasingly used not only for filmmaking but also for performance, interactive media, and multidisciplinary research.

Across these installations, AOTO’s LED technology plays a central role in helping institutions create modern, production-oriented learning environments that mirror professional filmmaking conditions. With over 100 LED virtual production stages deployed globally—including projects for leading technology companies such as NVIDIA, Microsoft, Meta, and Tencent—AOTO continues to support the adoption of virtual production as a core component of digital content creation and education.

The launch of the Shanghai Film Academy virtual production studio underscores how institutions worldwide are preparing students for the next generation of storytelling. As LED-based workflows become foundational to both the entertainment industry and digital media education, AOTO remains committed to empowering schools and creators with reliable, production-ready visual technology.

London, UK – June 2025 — At the heart of Brick Lane stood a vibrant corner shop transformed into a living canvas of culture, tech, and community. Led by the creative vision of CUBE Studio and GenBTV – Generation Black TV, the immersive pop-up event “Setting Up Shop” ran from June 2–4, with AOTO Electronics proudly supporting the activation by supplying high-performance Premium RM LED Screen that lit up every story, performance, and conversation.

The project proved a bold thesis: virtual production doesn’t belong solely in studios—it thrives just as powerfully in everyday spaces when the right technology meets the right vision. AOTO partnered with CUBE Studio to provide the LED wall, enabling real-time, interactive storytelling in a place few would expect: a neighborhood shop in East London.

“Our role was to help CUBE Studio bring this space to life,” said a spokesperson for AOTO. “We’re thrilled to see our technology support such a dynamic, street-level expression of community and creativity.”

This wasn’t your average product showcase. Over three days, Setting Up Shop turned a typical newsagent into a multi-sensory storytelling arena—where LED walls became portals, the corner shop became a studio, and culture became the code.

A Corner Shop Reinvented: Virtual Production Goes Public
Located at 97 Brick Lane, the pop-up transformed a familiar urban backdrop into an immersive, broadcast-ready experience, featuring XR technology, LED-powered interview sets, and live installations. Audiences stepped into a reimagined world where local culture met global innovation—no green screens required.

Each day brought its own flavor:

Day 1: Football + Community
Kicked off with energy, featuring grassroots legends from Hackney Wick FC and Brentford Ladies FC, alongside live GenBTV panels that invited audiences to reflect on the intersection of sport, identity, and activism.

Day 2: Art + Music Takeover
Included a Global Academy art showcase, Boardroom Black live tapings, and “I am so sorry” from Carroll Thompson which bring us back to Jamaica. Most importantly, we also have the honour to receive Special guest, Jamaican High Commissioner His Excellency Alexander Williams, announced the launch of the new GenB VP Studio in Jamaica, built on the same technology used here.

Day 3: Fashion + Innovation
A grand finale of LED-integrated fashion drops, code-culture conversations, and real-time interviews with creators like Shift Zero, all hosted within a flexible, XR-ready corner shop setup.

“Setting Up Shop” was never just about showcasing technology. It was about creating a stage where real voices, experiences, and identities could be amplified.

“This changed what I thought tech could do,” said Collette Philip, founder of Brand By Me and co-curator of Black Women’s Power Hour, which kicked off Day 1.
“To see our stories amplified like this, on screens that usually host billion-dollar films, inside a local shop—it’s powerful.”

“I’ve worked with LED before, but never like this,” shared Jelly D, Grammy-winning musician and workshop leader. “This felt close, real, and ridiculously high-quality. The visuals, the vibe—it was all there.”

“I brought my students to perform live, and they left inspired,” added a teacher from Global Academy, who led youth art exhibits on Day 2. “This is the future of education and engagement.”

These voices—alongside hundreds of local visitors, creators, and cultural icons—transformed the pop-up from a tech demo into a lived experience.

AOTO’s Role: Making the Canvas Possible
At the core of the visual experience was AOTO’s LED display technology, deployed across multiple walls and custom-fitted into the tight, urban space. CUBE Studio utilized the displays for:

• Virtual interview sets
• LED walls for live art shows
• Immersive branded content
• XR-capable fashion presentations

With real-time rendering, camera tracking, and media syncing made possible by Brompton Technology processors, AOTO ensured every frame—digital or human—shone with clarity.

“We’re proud to support partners like CUBE Studio,” said the AOTO rep. “They’re making the virtual production more accessible for more users, and let people know that Virtual Production is not only for Hollywood—and we’re excited to power those possibilities.”

Incredible Collaborators Behind the Vision
The success of “Setting Up Shop” rested on a diverse, passionate group of creative partners:

• CUBE Studio – Lead production partner
• GenBTV – Generation Black TV – Broadcast + content curation
• Sparks EMEA – Brand experience + live event production
• Brompton Technology Limited – LED processing support
• Global Academy – Youth performance and art
• Tony’s Chocolonely, Shift Zero, Proud Mary, Jelly D, and many more

Whether through coding workshops, fashion-tech integrations, or community conversations, each contributor brought authenticity to a space designed to be as accessible as it was visionary.

The Verdict: Not Just an Event—A Blueprint
Over the three days, the pop-up drew thousands of attendees, dozens of media creators, and sparked conversations that extended well beyond Brick Lane.

As one attendee put it: “This wasn’t just an event. It was a prototype for how we should be doing media, tech, and storytelling in the future—together, in real life.”

The success of this project marks just the beginning. AOTO will continue to support creative studios like CUBE Studio in rethinking what storytelling spaces can be—flexible, inclusive, and powered by LED brilliance.