The IOC and its major rights holders like NBC and Discovery
— which have paid billions for the privilege — will be hoping to immerse
viewers in wall-to-wall Olympic action these next two weeks. The broadcast
coverage of the competition is critical to these organizations and more so this
year without the color of fans cheering at the venues.
https://amplify.nabshow.com/articles/all-the-ways-the-olympics-will-and-wont-be-immersive/
OBS has prepared well though, arming itself with a fleet of
innovations to enhance coverage intended to attract Gen Z. On the face of it
this could be the most immersive Games yet. Let’s look at a few of the ways it
plans to do this.
UHD HDR
First and foremost, the host feed is being delivered in 4K
Ultra HD and HDR for the first time. There’s no doubt this upgrade in picture
quality will enhance the viewing experience. Better color, better contrast,
better pixels. Quite how many viewers will see this though is open to question.
NBCU for example is distributing some UHD feeds but these will be upconverted
from HD. The BBC isn’t taking UHD either declaring it too expensive to backhaul
from Tokyo. Discovery is showing UHD but on one channel accessed by viewers in
Europe from Discovery+.
UHD Audio
UHD also means an audio upgrade to a standard 5.1.4
configuration “to enable viewers to have a more realistic audio experience” by
adding overhead mics. But with no spectators in the venue, this immersive
experience may not be one OBS want to shout about. It could just be the sound
of proverbial tumbleweed or shouts in an echo chamber. On the other hand, we
may actually here the coaching commands and outbursts from athletes and referee
direction in ways we simply cannot when drowned out by crowds.
Multi-Camera Replay Systems
Between 60 and 80 robotic 4K cameras are at select venues,
including those hosting gymnastics, athletics, BMX freestyle, street
skateboard, sport climbing and volleyball. The feeds will be stitched together
to create multi-cam replay clips — an effect OBS say is similar to the
bullet-dodging sequences in The Matrix.
2D Image Tracking
Video tracking technology will help viewers keep track of
the position of the athletes across sports, including marathon and race walks,
road cycling and mountain biking, triathlon and canoe sprint. Instead of GPS
positioning or wireless equipment, OBS’ 2D image tracking is based on image
processing technology that allows motion tracking. A ‘patch’ (a square) is
defined on selected video frames in order to identify each of the
athletes/boats. The computer then creates a ‘label’ that is attached to each of
the identified athletes/ boats and that will be maintained even as the image
changes. This captured data is then made available to a graphics rendering
platform for on-screen presentation. Additional data captured using more
traditional GPS positioning can be combined with the ‘labels’ to identify
athletes, their speed, distance to finish or relative position to the leader.
Biometric Data
Just for the archery contest — possible because of the
athlete’s stillness, biometric data will be taken. Four cameras will be trained
on their faces to analyze any slight changes of skin color generated by the
contraction of blood vessels. Through an on-screen graphic, audiences will be
able to witness the heartbeat variations and adrenaline rush experienced by the
archer’s body as they shoot their arrow.
360-Degree Replays
Intel’s True View technology will come in to play during
basketball matches. Thirty-five 4K cameras are mounted at the concourse level
of the Saitama Super Arena to capture volumetric video that, once processed,
renders 360° replays, bird’s eye views and freeze frames from any perspective
on the court. OBS will produce between up to 10 True View clips for every
basketball game.
Virtual Reality
OBS plans 110 hours of live immersive 180-degree
stereoscopic and 360-degree panoramic coverage from the Opening and Closing
Ceremonies, as well as from select sports like beach volleyball and gymnastics
— sports chosen based on the possibility of getting cameras closest to the
athletes.
Discovery subscribers will be able to view the VR coverage
and so will users of the NBC Olympics VR by Xfinity app, which include watch
parties for Oculus friends.
12K Video Wall
A 50-meter wide screen will broadcast 12K resolution footage
of the sailing events that spectators have traditionally watched from nearby
piers with binoculars. Floating on the water of the Enoshima Yacht Harbor, the
screen will give spectators the sensation of the races being held right in
front of their eyes. If there were any spectators…
5G and AR Glasses
The total absence of spectators — including VIP decision
makers — is a blow for Intel, Alibaba and other tech sponsors which have
created demos of immersive experiences for people to enjoy at the venue. These
include wearable glasses at the swimming venue delivering AR graphics over 5G
and video replays available to golf fans at the Kasumigaskei Country Club, also
over 5G.
5G won’t be a complete washout though. Footage from the
Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be contributed over 5G in a test for future
Olympic events.
Mobile First
Digital publishers can draw on a repository of up to 9000
clips and short-form assets called Content+. This includes behind-the-scenes
content from the venues purposefully filmed with smartphones. Artificial
Intelligence is also being trialed as a means to automate the logging and
clipping of all this video and hence distribute that medal winning celebration
to social media in an instant.
No comments:
Post a Comment