WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF
Immersive experiences will be much more common in the future than they are today, and these are the new production technologies that will help create them.
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You might have heard about volumetric displays, holographic like displays that let people watch and even interact with increasingly complex and sophisticated 3D imagery, but have you heard about volumetric video? Essentially it’s the same concept with the primary difference being that using software companies can create fully immersive volumetric videos that viewers can interact with. Furthermore, if this technology is eventually combined with something like Nvidia’s latest Video to Virtual Reality (VR) Artificial intelligence (AI) rendering technology then there’s no reason why these volumetric video experiences couldn’t be streamed straight into a VR experience that could literally let fans or E-Sports enthusiasts experience first hand what it’s like to be on the pitch alongside the players – and even virtually play against them like a recent Formula-E innovation that let’s fans “ghost” famous racing drivers.
In order to boost the adoption of the technology technology giant Intel have just announced that they’ve partnered with France’s Professional Football League (LFP) to launch a new, 360 degree soccer viewing experience, powered by technology developed in Israel.
Using dozens of high definition 5K cameras to be mounted around stadiums, Intel’s “True View” solution captures masses of volumetric video and uses advanced processing capabilities, enabling broadcasters to show instant replays and highlights from every possible angle – including the player’s point of view as you can see from the videos.
The technology, developed at Intel’s Ramat HaHayal offices, was launched by the LFP for the first time on Sunday evening at Paris Saint-German’s Parc des Princes stadium, where the French champions defeated Olympique Lyonnais. The system has already been successfully installed at stadiums belonging to leading National Football League (NFL), Premier League and LaLiga teams.
The LFP, which governs the top two professional soccer leagues in France, said it plans to install True View technology at both Lyon’s Groupama Stadium and Olympique de Marseille’s Orange Vélodrome during the 2020/21 season. The technology will also enable fans to watch 3D replays of their team on the LFP websites and social networks.
“Intel Sports, whose development center is located in Ramat HaHayal, is proud to expand its operations and add Ligue1, the top French football league and one of the five best leagues in the world, to the distinguished list of major leagues that adopted True View technology,” said Ohad Gross, director of business development at Intel Sports.
Intel employs some 13,700 workers across Israel and exported a record $6.6 billion of goods and services from its local operations in 2019. The Silicon Valley-based chipmaker has invested over $20.5b. in establishing Israeli R&D and production facilities since commencing operations in Israel in 1974.
“In terms of audio visual production, the LFP wishes to bring fans an ever more immersive dimension of the stadium and the game,” said LFP executive director-general Didier Quillot.
“Thanks to the deployment of Intel’s ‘True View’ system, we are pleased to be able to make available to all broadcasters of Ligue 1 Conforama a unique technology to revive the highlights of matches.”
