FOX VFX Lab Deploys 50 BOXX Workstations for Virtual Production

This hardware migration signals a shift toward specialized, high-core-count workstations as the foundation for real-time virtual production environments. By moving beyond generic server racks to dedicated 32-core systems, FOX is prioritizing the rendering speeds required for live-action and CGI integration. In an ecosystem where Unreal Engine and real-time workflows are becoming standard, hardware latency is the primary bottleneck for creative iteration. This deployment confirms that bespoke hardware partnerships are essential for studios attempting to shorten the bridge between principal photography and final VFX. Watch for whether FOX expands this AMD-based architecture to more global production hubs or remains focused on its primary lab facility.

BOXX Technologies has built a long-standing presence in high-end media and entertainment workflows, with customers including Disney, HBO, FOX, and NASA relying on its purpose-built systems for demanding creative pipelines. The company's APEXX T3 workstation, which FOX VFX Lab selected for its 50-unit deployment, was among the first platforms to integrate AMD's second-generation 32-core Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX processor when it launched in 2018, positioning BOXX as an early adopter of high-core-count architectures for visual effects and real-time rendering tasks.

FOX's broader investment in virtual production infrastructure extends beyond the VFX Lab's workstation fleet. FOX Sports relaunched Stage B at its Los Angeles headquarters in September 2024 with an LED volume more than twice the size of its predecessor Stage A, which launched in 2022. The Stage B facility runs 24 high-powered real-time render workstations with Megapixel processors to drive Pixotope's Unreal Engine-based system feeding content to XR LED walls, plus an additional eight workstations for AR camera composition. This deployment demonstrates that FOX's commitment to specialized compute hardware for virtual production spans both its feature film and sports divisions.

BOXX positions its M&E workstation line as purpose-built for virtual production environments, with the APEXX T3, T4, T4 PRO, and RAXX T3 PRO models specifically tailored for VFX, animation, and virtual production pipelines. The company supports over 400 software applications and maintains partnerships with Adobe as a Video Partner, providing optimized configurations for tools like After Effects, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. For virtual production specifically, BOXX's APEXX S3 workstation supports Depthkit Studio with up to ten Azure Kinect depth sensors for volumetric capture at 30fps without cloud processing, indicating the company's expansion into real-time 3D capture workflows that complement the rendering capabilities deployed at FOX VFX Lab.