December 2016
Focal Point VR Completes Live Streaming Champions Tennis
Focal Point VR successfully completed the live streaming of the Champions Tennis from the Royal Albert Hall. The project included several firsts for UK sport broadcasting as well as for Focal Point VR.
The live stream featured multiple cameras, each streaming in multiple formats simultaneously to both a proprietary Focal Point VR app over a Content Delivery Network and to YouTube. The combination of Black Magic based VR rigs and Focal Point VR’s optimisation technology allowedviewers to experience the event in 6k UHD.
A VR video (so headset highly recommended) of highlights of the match between Ferreira vs McEnroe can be viewed here:
The playback was available on headsets, an HTML5 microsite and via YouTube. Using Focal Point VR’s custom app for Android offered the highest quality stream as well as real time, gaze control enacted, viewer camera selection between the different cameras. There was also viewer selectable resolution/bitrate to allow for bandwidth variation amongst different users.
Paul James, Focal Point’s Head of Production, said “Working with IMG and the Royal Albert Hall teams to live stream the Champions Tennis was a great opportunity to explore the impact of VR cinematography and production techniques for streaming. It’s an intrinsically different set of problems to normal 2D television production and the team responded fantastically as new insights were learnt at the event.”
Three cameras separately streaming live, in multiple formats and to multiple destinations was also a new area for Streaming Tank and Webcast Sport, our broadcast partners on this project. The dramatically different implications of the medium for live events are starting to become clear.
The Net Camera was surprisingly compact and offered a new experience to viewers.
The Corner Camera (which affectionately became known as the Ball Girl camera) lived up to the dream of really giving the viewer a strong sense of ‘presence’. With over 180º of action delivered using the Focal Point VR proprietary stereo streaming rig.
Finally the Baseline camera, in a more traditional TV camera position provided a less immersive experience compared to the Net and Corner cameras.
In conclusion, the ability to position VR cameras in less traditional places significantly increases the feeling of involvement for the viewers.
For each camera, the lack of cameraman and need to move the camera, its compact size and remote operation opened up new possibilities over traditional broadcast. Once the cameras were in place, the lack of need for an on site production and direction team also surprised many people and really brought home to everyone involved the user directed viewing that was being offered. VR video really is moving to a more authentic viewing experience with viewers more directly involved in the action. The entire projected reiterated the need to share best practice around VR video production. The Royal Albert Hall team, in particular, were great partners as they rapidly adapted their usual processes to accommodate the new medium.
Focal Point VR partnered with Webcast Sport and Streaming Tank to deliver this VR stream.
The Champions Tennis tournament organised by IMG is the season ending finale to the ATP Champions Tour. Former Grand Slam Champions, World No.1’s and national icons compete in one of London’s most famous and iconic venues.
How to watch the Champions Tennis final in live in VR
Focal Point VR will be running multiple VR streams from the season ending finale to the ATP tour on Sunday 4th December. The streams can be viewed in VR headsets by downloading the Champions Tennis VR cardboard app from the Google Play store (which is being distributed as a closed beta app). For those with Gear VR headsets please use Sideload VR.
Focal Point VR will also be streaming the event to this YouTube channel once the first match starts.
Details of how to view the finals in VR can be found at www.championstennis360.live.
Champions Tennis VR Live Stream Schedule
Sunday 4th December
11:30am ATP Champions Tour Final
followed by Bahrami/TBC vs Penfors/TBC
4pm Forget v McEnroe
followed by Leconte/TBC v El Aynaoui/TBC
(times are GMT)
Focal Point VR to broadcast the Champions Tennis final in VR
Focal Point VR announces that it will stream the finals of the Champions Tennis from the Royal Albert Hall, London in Virtual Reality. The VR broadcast of the matches is scheduled to start at 11:30am GMT Sunday 4th December.
The Champions Tennis VR stream from Focal Point VR will feature a viewer controllable multi-camera POV and an ultra high definition 6k VR livestream.
Jonathan Newth, Focal Point VR’s CEO, said “The ability of VR Video to ‘teleport’ the media consumer to another place live represents an entirely new paradigm for video. Focal Point VR are proud to be at the leading edge of delivering this exciting and technically challenging innovation.”
The Champions Tennis VR livestream is the first major sporting event powered by the Focal Point VR Stream Processor, featuring live stitching, live video/graphics mixing and a proprietary resolution optimisation system. The Stream Processor is complemented by Focal Point VR’s optimised Android/Gear VR and html5 players, providing remote viewers with the highest quality immersive VR experience.”
Focal Point VR is partnering with Webcast Sport and Streaming Tank to deliver this VR stream.
Webcast Sport is a new business based on over 70 years of television experience. Our aim is to bring sport that is under represented on our televisions to the laptops, tablets and smartphones of the fans. We are excited to be partnering with Focal Point VR to bring the Champions Tennis from the RAH to you in 360º VR. Kevin Magee, MD of Webcast Sport, says “This partnership represents how we see the televising of sport progressing; online, on demand and using cutting edge technology to put you in the best seat in the house.”
Streaming Tank produce and broadcast live video content to destinations including websites, mobile devices, apps, secure intranets, social media channels, out-of-home screens and more.
Champions Tennis VR Live Stream Schedule
Sunday 4th December
11:30am ATP Champions Tour Final
followed by Bahrami/TBC vs Penfors/TBC
4pm Forget v McEnroe
followed by Leconte/TBC v El Aynaoui/TBC
(times are GMT)