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“Brazil, where hearts were entertaining June
We stood beneath an amber moon
And softly murmured “someday soon”
From Frank Sinatra to Vengaboys, Brazil caught the attention of many. And not without any reason. The largest Latin American economy, Brazil is known for its rich and vibrant culture. From hosting colourful carnival that caught the world in frenzy to Samba and football fever, the country has always been a happening city.
Adding to the fervor, this year, Brazil is hosting the 31st Summer Olympics at Rio from August 5 – 21, 2016. The Games, which witnessed the latest broadcast technologies being introduced over the years, is set to witness some major shift in the broadcasting technology landscape. The launch of the Olympic Channel by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the beginning of the revolution that the industry will see this year. According to Thomas Bach, the President of IOC, the channel aims to attract young people. He further adds that the Committee is leaving no stones unturned to retain the relevance of sports and to root the athletes in the young target group.
If this got you excited, hold on! We have got a list of the new broadcasting technologies that would make the sports lover in you jump with joy. For this year, to provide a never before experience to the sports enthusiasts, the Olympics broadcasters are introducing a host of new technologies.
With Facebook devoting resources to fine-tune the viewers’ experience of virtual reality, you know it already that virtual reality is in focus. However, for the first time in the history of Olympics, sports enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the Games in high-definition Virtual Reality (VR).
Not long ago, broadcasters experimented with 180-degree VR experience at the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games. Now, at Rio Olympics, they will take it a step ahead and provide a unique viewing experience. Viewers will be able to experience the action in the field, including one key event per day and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies live through VR technologies. All they need is a compatible headset.
And if you miss the action live, highlights of 360-degree-video content will be available as Video on Demand (VOD).
4K TVs are passé. In 2016, experience Olympics in 8K Super High Vision (SHV) resolution (7,680 x 4,320 pixels) with an immersive 3-D 22.2 multichannel audio surround system. The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is partnering with Japanese broadcaster to provide 130 hours of live coverage of select Olympic events in 8K SHV.
Rio 2016 will also witness OBS experimenting with new technology – Wide Color Gamut/ High Dynamic Range (WCG/ HDR) that displays a wider range of colors that are more natural and true-to-life.
There is a significant change in the behavioural pattern of the viewers. They now consume content across multiple devices, anytime, anywhere. In Sochi Winter Olympic Games 2014, the sports broadcasters’ experienced it for the first time, with digital coverage far exceeding linear TV coverage.
Addressing the need, the OBS will offer Olympic Video Player (OVP) for Rio 2016. The advanced multi-platform video player will complement the enjoyment of the Olympic viewing experience, with access to more content and data.
With these new technologies, get ready to be enthralled in August as you experience Olympics like real-life sitting miles away. Cheering for your favourite sportsperson will be more lifelike now!
MediaGuru is a Global Services Company offering end-to-end solutions in the area of content digitization and preservation, turnkey technology projects and digital media from our offices in UAE, Singapore, South Africa and India.