News
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.
Focal Point VR Reels In 3D Graphics Expert
21st September 2016.
Focal Point VR, a pioneer in the field of live 360° Virtual Reality video, today announced the appointment of Tom Gambill as Director of Research, further strengthening the team’s graphics expertise.
Gambill is an expert in modern 3D graphics systems and has developed rendering technology for prominent computer game companies like Electronic Arts. Most recently he co-developed a high-end naval training simulation for Havok and Microsoft.
“Tom brings exactly the mix of research experience and deep knowledge of state-of-the-art GPU technology that we need to tackle the challenges of live VR video,” said Jonathan Newth, CEO of Focal Point VR.
Gambill said of his new position “As Director of Research, I look forward to building a team to address the challenges of delivering the highest possible quality VR video to the full spectrum of VR headsets. As VR hardware rapidly advances, traditional approaches to delivering VR video, especially live, will quickly be insufficient. I’m really excited to bring my years of experience developing and optimising algorithms for modern GPUs to this new field.”
Focal Point VR’s technology enables an audience to ‘see’ and interact with each other (via avatars) within an interactive, 360° live-streaming video experience – bringing participants together via a shared presence in the same live event and enhancing the immersiveness of VR.
Focal Point VR’s platform features proprietary region of interest optimisation technology that supports high resolution VR video (up to an effective 6k) whilst reducing data sizes by a factor of 3X to 5X, reducing data costs and increasing the addressable market.
In addition to a live streaming platform, Focal Point VR shoots and processes 360° video for playback on VR headsets or browsers. It also develops VR apps for a range of headsets and devices.
Focal Point VR Debut Interactive, Shared Live-streaming VR Technology at IBC
6th September 2016. Guildford, Surrey, UK. Focal Point VR will attend IBC to debut its high quality, virtual reality (VR) 360° live-streaming platform for broadcasters.
Focal Point VR’s technology enables an audience to ‘see’ and interact with each other (via avatars) within an interactive, 360° live-streaming video experience – bringing participants together via a shared presence in the same live event and enhancing the immersiveness of VR.
Focal Point VR’s platform features a proprietary region of interest optimisation technology which supports high resolution VR video (up to an effective 6k) whilst reducing data sizes by a factor of 3x–>5x, reducing data costs and increasing the addressable market.
Focal Point VR’s high quality camera-to-headset integrated platform features
• Support for better than broadcast quality 6k VR camera system
• Fully cross-platform player with gaze control
• Live multi-camera view streams
• Shared experience
• Embeddable HTML5 player
In addition, the company’s VR video processor offers:
• 360 degree ads and interstitials
• Live edit suite
• Region of interest optimisation
• YouTube 360 Stream option
Jonathan Newth, CEO of Focal Point VR said, “We believe that some of the most compelling VR experiences will come from being able to virtually attend live events surrounded by friends and family. Our technology allows broadcasters to engage with consumers on a completely new level.”
For a demo visit Focal Point VR at IBC in Hall 8, booth 8.B31.
Focal Point VR will deliver broadcast quality, live-streaming of events to all major head-mounted VR displays including the Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google cardboard, PlayStation VR and others – offering users an immersive and interactive experience at events anywhere in the world.
Click HERE to see a clip of a recent VR livestream delivered to YouTube by Focal Point VR.
In addition to a live streaming platform Focal Point VR shoots and processes 360° video for playback on VR headsets or browses. It also develops VR apps for a range of headsets and devices.
Focal Point VR Successfully Raises Seed Finance
9th June 2016. Guildford, Surrey, UK. Focal Point VR today announced that it has successfully raised Seed finance from a group of leading business angels with expertise in technology, media and entertainment.
Investors include Simon Muderack (Angel Investor and M.D. at Sigma Systems) John Chasey (Investor and Operations Director of TVR Automotive), Jez San (Angel Investor and CEO of PKR.com) and Chris Wilks (CFO of Signum Technology).
Jonathan Newth, CEO of Focal Point VR said, “We’re delighted to have such a knowledgeable and successful group of investors on board. With Seed funding now in place we’ll be ramping up our in-house capacity and demonstrate our live streaming technology at a wide range of events and venues.”
John Chasey, Operations Director of TVR Automotive added, “Virtual Reality and 360 video are clearly in an area with enormous potential. The founders of Focal Point VR have a fantastic track record in building successful technology and creative businesses and I am very excited to be involved in their new venture. From a professional perspective I believe Virtual Reality has a transformational role to play in motor-sport and I look forward to working with the new technology within TVR.”
A teaser 360 video, produced by Focal Point VR, of Tiff Needell trying to sneak under cover of the new TVR can be seen here.
The key advantage of Focal Point’s technology is high quality shared VR Video live streams with highly optimised bandwidth use to addressing a major obstacle that broadcasters face as VR Video grows in popularity.
Focal Point VR delivers broadcast quality, live-streaming of events to all major head-mounted VR displays including the Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google cardboard and others, offering users an immersive and interactive experience at events anywhere in the world.
The founders of Focal Point VR include Julian Davis, formerly CTO of Geomerics, which was recently acquired by ARM; Paul James, Jonathan Newth and Ian Baverstock who have built several successful video games and technology companies together.
The company is currently in negotiations to livestream a wide variety of events and venues, with announcements due during 2016.
In addition to a live streaming platform Focal Point VR shoots and processes 360° video for playback on VR headsets or in a browser, and develops VR apps for a range of headsets and devices.
Media Inquiries to:
Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR. E: alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk
About Focal Point VR
Focal Point VR provides technology to deliver interactive and social, livestreaming of events in virtual reality, creates world-class virtual reality video experiences and developer custom virtual reality applications. The company was founded by experienced entrepreneurs from the video games and technology industries who will apply their interactive expertise to create compelling and immersive VR experiences.
VRWC 2016 Live Stream
Focal Point VR ran a VR livestream of the keynote and other selected sessions from VR World Congress #VRWC16 on Tuesday 12th April. Remote viewers were teleported to the front row of the VR World Congress main track via a custom VR viewer produced by Focal Point VR for the conference. (VR World Congress Live in VR, available on the Play Store and via SideloadVR)
We will be making the sessions available as VR livestream catch up via the same app on Mon 18th of April for a limited period of time. For further news follow us @focalpointvr
VR World Congress
Focal Point VR and Opposable Group are very pleased to announce that sessions from VR World Congress will be streamed live in VR from the conference on Tue 12th April 2016.
700 attendees will be packing out the Bristol Marriott City Centre, all looking to learn about and try the latest in virtual reality. For those who can not attend the event live, selected sessions will be livestreamed in VR using Focal Point VR’s livestream platform.
Sessions can be experienced in VR using a custom viewer app ‘VR World Congress Live in VR’ app created by Focal Point VR. The app is available for Google Cardboard and for the Gear VR; the app also hosts a selection of recorded 360 video content from last years conference. Details of how to download the app for Gear VR and Google Cardboard(Android), along with updates on the livestream session schedule can be found at http://focalpointvr.com
VRTV #2
The second episode of VRTV has arrived! There’s a wealth of virtual reality (VR) insight in this instalment. First to take the seat is Julian Davis, CTO of VR video production company, Focal Point VR, who talks about the latest projects the company is working on and its future plans.
James E. Gray
Focal Point VR get behind the scenes at rehearsals for recently launched James E. Gray EP.
What the Press Say…..
‘‘Scientifique’… captures a sound unique and well thought out – deserving of someone pushing his art so far. Heavy tones combine with heavy vocals to create a mature melody. This EP makes itself into a tour de force of well put together composition – the most noticeable part is how striking it is, with dancing melodies overlaying the more downbeat atmospheric elements of the tracks. The lyrics flow easily from this experienced artist, touching upon questionable truths about the realities we subscribe to. The EP has a solid basis for the concepts running through it – something that many songwriters would never go into, in such a serious manner. Excellent and thoughtful. Check it out.’
Tenfootcity Magazine. Summer 2015.
Virtual Reality Live-streaming Startup From Game Development Veterans
Focal Point VR Launch interactive, shared livestreaming in VR.
16th December 2015. Guildford, Surrey, UK. Focal Point VR today announced the launch of its innovative virtual reality (VR) technology, a live-streaming high quality VR video platform. The company will draw on its founders’ game development expertise to deliver social engagement and interactivity within live-streamed VR and pre-recorded VR videos.
Focal Point VR’s technology will enable an audience to share a synchronized interactive experience, enhancing the immersiveness of VR. Whether chatting with friends while watching a football match or ‘seeing’ each other (via avatars) at concerts – adding these unique social and interactive features will bring participants together within the same live event.
Jonathan Newth, CEO of Focal Point VR said, “2016 will see a rare event, the consumer launch of a truly transformational technology – VR. We believe that some of the most compelling VR experiences will come from being able to virtually attend live events surrounded by friends and family. With our track record in building technology and games companies we can bring something new to VR by adding interactive and social features to live-streamed and pre-recorded 360° and VR video”
The founders of Focal Point VR include Julian Davis, formerly CTO of Geomerics, which was recently acquired by ARM; Paul James, Jonathan Newth and Ian Baverstock who have built several successful video games and technology companies together.
Julian Davis, CTO of Focal Point VR added, “By combining state of the art real-time graphics and lighting from games, the latest computer vision and capture technology with the new range of 360° cameras and VR headsets we can make viewers feel that they have been transported to a front row seat and believe that they are truly there.”
Focal Point VR will deliver broadcast quality, live-streaming of events to all major head-mounted VR displays including the Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google cardboard and others – offering users an immersive and interactive experience at events anywhere in the world.
View the latest demo show reel here: focalpointvr.com/news/promo
The company is currently in negotiations to livestream a wide variety of events, with announcements due early in 2016.
In addition to a live streaming platform Focal Point VR shoots and processes 360° video for playback on VR headsets or in a browser, and develops VR apps for a range of headsets and devices.
Media Inquiries to: Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR. E: alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk
About Focal Point VR
Focal Point VR provides technology to deliver interactive and social, livestreaming of events in virtual reality, creates world-class virtual reality video experiences and developer custom virtual reality applications. The company was founded by experienced entrepreneurs from the video games and technology industries who will apply their interactive expertise to create compelling and immersive VR experiences.