Tata Communications and Formula 1 have
conducted a test of truly live 360º video at the 2017 Formula
1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix to show how the F1 racing
experience could be augmented for fans worldwide by enabling them to experience
the action in and around the circuit almost as if they were there. To-date, any
360º video experiments in sports have been hampered by a 30-second delay
between the 360º video and live TV feeds, preventing a widespread adoption of
the technology. This proof-of-concept by Tata Communications and Formula 1 is
the first time when the live 360º video feeds and TV broadcast have been shown
in complete sync.
There were
two 360º cameras at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore in the trackside
and paddock to show how viewers at home could immerse themselves in the world
of F1 and experience these exclusive areas through a virtual reality (VR)
like environment via the Official F1 App. For example, during a Grand Prix build-up,
fans could use their tablet to access a live 360º video feed from the paddock
and see the biggest names in the sport. Or, during a race, as a driver pulls
into the pits for a tyre change, fans could complement the action on TV with a
360º view of everything that is happening in the pit lane in real-time.
“We’ve done this test to show how a fan could watch Lewis,
Sebastian or any other drivers coming into the pits on TV, grab their tablet
and get a second, completely in sync 360º view of everything going on around
him while he is there - not 30 seconds after he has driven off!” said John
Morrison, Chief Technical Officer, Formula 1. “In a sport like F1 where
every millisecond matters, there are huge opportunities to empower fans to take
control of key Grand Prix moments and create their unique, personalised race
experiences through the powerful combination of live TV and 360º video.”
“We want to unleash the full
potential the F1® fan experience through the latest digital
technologies,” said Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial
Operations, Formula 1. “Through this proof of concept, we’ve explored how
live 360º video, and next VR, could transport fans from across the globe to the
middle of the thrilling world of F1 and enable them to immerse themselves
in each Grand Prix like never before.”
The live 360º video
proof-of-concept follows close collaboration between Tata Communications
and Formula 1 during the last five seasons to lay the foundations
for the sport’s digital transformation, testing in action technologies such as UHD
video and live
broadcasting over the Internet (OTT), which could enable fans to experience
F1 in new ways too.
“This proof
of concept shows the potential of live 360º video to augment the F1 TV
viewing experience and bring VR mainstream in live sports and entertainment,”
said Mehul Kapadia, Managing Director of Tata Communications’ F1 Business.
“Eliminating the delay in 360º video
means that, for the first time, it’s possible to offer fans truly live
360º video experiences on a global scale. This will enable sports and entertainment
organisations to engage with their audiences in new ways and generate new
revenue streams – helping the 360º video and VR market achieve its US$60 billion potential.”
The live 360º video feeds from the two cameras were
distributed from the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore back to Europe
using Tata Communications’ Media Ecosystem, a complete, integrated set of media solutions. It includes the Video Connect service, which brings together
traditional video contribution and IP connectivity globally in the cloud,
underpinned by Tata Communications’ global network.
Tata Communications is the Official
Connectivity Provider to Formula 1, enabling the sport to seamlessly reach its
tens of millions of fans across the globe.
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