World Cup tech: HD, mobile, and web TV makes Cup hard to miss

With the FIFA World Cup set for kickoff at 11:55AM EST today, most of us Americans are still sitting around scratching our heads trying to figure out how to pronounce Pelé, and whether we'd be offending anybody if we just called football "soccer" so things are less confusing. Turns out we are very alone in this predicament, since in 2002 the World Cup nabbed a total TV viewership of 29 billion, with 1.1 billion people viewing Brazil's defeat of Germany in the finale. The tournament takes place among 32 teams over the course of a month, and is being hosted by Germany this time around -- who have built or retrofitted 12 stadiums to host the 64 matches. Suffice it to say that this is the biggest sporting event in the world, making our American football's Super Bowl look quite minuscule by comparison. And what better way to celebrate this month of sporting excess than to round up all the tech it entails? If you need a bit more convincing, we recommend Larry Dobrow's "The Ignorant American's Guide to the World Cup," and if that doesn't help, might we remind you of the decent chance of celebratory and/or irate crazed-fan rioting -- brought to you live in HD?

While there are a myriad of ways to actually receive live TV of the matches all over the world, the main source for all this video is a team-up of HBS and Deutsche Telekom's T-Systems Media&Broadcast. HBS (Host Broadcast Services) is a dedicated organization set specifically to produce TV and radio coverage of the tournament, and they're all set with a staff of 2,000 to produce live 16:9, SD, PAL, and HDTV coverage from all 12 stadiums. The 1080i/50 MPEG-2 signals alone run at 1,485Mbps, with a minimum of 20 HDTV cameras running for each match. That's where T-Systems Media&Broadcast steps in: pumping out all that data. They'll be on the scene with ISDN, Ethernet, WiFi, DSL, EDGE, UMTS and HSDPA to shoot HBS signals to the International Broadcast Centre master control in Munich, and to manage all the other data from the 15,000 or so press people on the scene. From the IBC, the video and audio "pool feed" gets shipped off to more than 180 broadcasters worldwide. You think we're done? Not a chance, click on!

No insanely popular sporting event would be complete these days without some beefy security, and Germany seems to have that in spades as well. Along with 2,000 active troops and 150,000 ready-to-eat meals just in case of some sort of worst-case scenario, the stadiums themselves have been rigged up with all manner of security. Siemens has done a lot of the work, implementing fire, smoke, and motion detectors in discreet ways; so as to not mar the historic look of many of the stadiums, they've embedded much of their technology in stadium roofing. Tickets are RFID embedded with name, address, birth date, etc. to prevent "black market" ticket sales, and are checked against a database as fans pass through the entrance gates. Stadiums also have cameras to record biometric facial features, and there's even technology in place to monitor and correct traffic flow leading to and from the stadiums.

Of course, most of us will end up watching these games from the comfort of our own homes, or the home of a buddy with a larger TV than us who splurged for the last Super Bowl. So the real story is how to acquire those HD feeds. Sadly, it's a bit of a mixed bag for us in the States, since the coverage is split between ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 --not all of which are available in HD in all markets. ESPN2 which will probably be getting a good chunk of games, including the first US game on June 12th (yes, we're playing in this crazy tournament as well, and we might not even be half bad!). Full domestic coverage listings can be found here.

HD coverage of the World Cup should be a bit more pervasive in places like the UK, where you can get the BBC and ITV's shared coverage through NTL Telewest's cable service, or via the new Sky HD if you were lucky enough to have it installed in time. Even better for British soccer fans is BBC's free streaming of most games live via the web. We have ESPN360 in the US, but it's only available via certain internet providers, and its game coverage will be minimal. Wired has an interesting article detailing a few slightly shadier methods to nab streaming coverage of the games -- which we neither condone nor condemn -- but are particularly intrigued by the idea of using a proxy to access the BBC site for their streams. All in all, while 2006 might not be the year of absolutely pervasive HD World Cup coverage, there shouldn't be too many moments that will require the avid football fan to be away from a live feed of the games -- especially with services like Slingbox and Orb to fill in the gaps. Hence, businesses (including our own) are predicting an incredibly unproductive month.

One method of coverage that we're surely not going to be getting much of in the States is in the form of mobile TV. While Verizon, Sprint, and Cingular are all probably due for some downloadable clips, nobody is ready for live mobile TV here. Even in Europe it'll be a bit spotty, with T-Mobile Germany as the only carrier to stream games to their 3G customers. Debitel did manage to get their T-DMB network up and running in Germany with their recent launch of the Samsung P900, but we're guessing coverage could be a bit weak this early on. Of course, South Korea has been doing this T-DMB thing for a while, so they shouldn't have many problems. Otherwise, most of the projected mobile TV "surge" will be for downloaded clips, not for live TV, at a projected revenue of $300 million during the month. Phone network capacity has been built in Germany specifically for the games, so as long as you stay near the larger cities and stadiums you should be able to hop online or call up your friends to brag about your current digs.

On the flip side of the mobile coin, Yahoo! Mobile Matchcast is being offered for Java enabled phones, and should provide solid realtime stats and match highlights to just about anybody who cares to download the free app. Yahoo is also offering coverage via free SMS alerts, so you should be able to manage keeping track of the games wherever you have a phone signal, even if all your attempts at live TV fail. There's also an app from Resco called "World Cup Mobile" for Windows Mobile, Palm OS, or Series 60 devices, which keeps track of loads of stats, images and even historical data.

We hope you're looking forward to the rampant patriotism and tasteless fandom of the coming month as much as we are. But before we sign off, we'd just like to chime in a bit of Team USA support as we prepare to settle in for 30 days of watching grown men in short shorts chase a round, slippery sphere around a large field to some unknown aim on just about every kind of device and wireless transmission system known to man. Goooooaalllll!

[Some links via dailywireless.org]

[evo @ Jun 9th 2006 12:48PM]

Are there aliens watching too? The population of the planet is only 5 billion, but 29 billion watched?

[tiuk @ Jun 9th 2006 1:00PM]

Is there anyone else out there who couldn't care less about the World Cup and positively cannot wait for it to be over?

[Craig @ Jun 9th 2006 1:00PM]

Wow, that was a very interesting and very thorough. I can't wait for the England games, the whole country seems to come to a standstill when they play.

[Van @ Jun 9th 2006 1:01PM]

There are 64 matches. On average, every human watched 0.45 matches.

[Andrew C @ Jun 9th 2006 1:02PM]

I would imagine they mean 29 billion people total watched all of the games.

I.E Germany vs. France (or w/e) had 1.2 billion,
Mexico vs. Argentina had 1.4 billion
the Final had 3 billion etc etc

They probably all added up to 29 billion at the end...

[Van @ Jun 9th 2006 1:04PM]

Ummm, make that 5.8 matches :)

[Vic @ Jun 9th 2006 1:11PM]

I didn't even read the article it just looked like money wanting a place to invest....

[ohpoo @ Jun 9th 2006 1:20PM]

LOL very funny.. yep The World Cup is the largest of any single sport event. ENGLERLAND! ROOOOOOOOOONEY

[D @ Jun 9th 2006 1:22PM]

Those crazy europeans with their foosball. What a waste of resources.

[James @ Jun 9th 2006 1:25PM]

When I'm not at work I'll be watching most of the games (watching the Germany Costa Rica game right now) and I'll probably dvr the games I work through so I can watch the goals.
I think all of this is very exciting and would have really liked the chance and money to go to Germany, but I grew up playing soccer and played all year round. (Indoor and out) and I do live in the USA.
So thanks Espn and ABC for airing every game.

[loikll @ Jun 9th 2006 1:38PM]

For the record, America's Little Buddy Canada doesn't care about soccer either.

In any case, I for one am pretty confident I'll find a way to not see any World Cup. So many better things to do: clip my toe nails, watch paint dry, lay on the couch and repeately toss a baseball into the air, take an inventory of my refrigerator, etc. etc.

[airpolgas @ Jun 9th 2006 1:46PM]

That's probably an accumulated viewership for the entire run of the tournament. Still, a pretty high (unbelievable) number. That averages to 453 Million viewers PER game. (64 games)

[airpolgas @ Jun 9th 2006 1:52PM]

tiuk, I'm sure there are other people like you who can't wait for the World Cup to be over, just like some people can't wait for the Super Bowl to be over, and the NBA Finals, and the World Series, and the Olympics... you get the idea.

[lynn @ Jun 9th 2006 1:56PM]

I live in Canada and will be watching all 64 games, have been counting down the years, months, days to get to this point. Tons of people in Canada will be watching I can guarantee you. I'm a Mohawk women myself, but huge supporter of Thierry Henry, will be routing for France. Football and American football are the only sports I enjoy watching. SOOOO grateful for espn tsn etc showing all games!

[Don Wilson @ Jun 9th 2006 2:11PM]

NBA > World Cup

[Steve C @ Jun 9th 2006 2:21PM]

The Allianz Stadium is SICK!

For all you tech geeks here... check it out.

http://www.allianz-arena.de/en/presse/bilder-service/06507.php

http://www.allianz-arena.de/popup/webcam_popup_small_2.php

[DaveA @ Jun 9th 2006 2:26PM]

LongshotX - you have no idea: most European fans hate the small minority that engage in racist chanting. Frankly, better racism in football than racism in foreign policy.

[Mike H @ Jun 9th 2006 2:52PM]

A) world pop. is @6.5 billion right 'bout now.

b) what makes Football/Soccer incredible popular is the relatively simple nature of the game. Compared to our Football, Basketball, and Baseball, the rules and regs for Soccer are minimal.

c) Yes, I agree the NBA kicks FIFA right in the balls. Go Suns!!

[next @ Jun 9th 2006 3:11PM]

I couldn't care less about this world cup.. I live in spain and my impression is the world will end in a month, as soon as this freak event ends, as soon as the last RFID ticket is detected on the exit of the last football stadium. C'on, there's more to life than this. When matches start streets are dominated by woman.... and us, strangers who can't wait this thing to be over, that is. I'm amazed by all the tech put in game for this, though.

[LongshotX @ Jun 9th 2006 3:19PM]

"Frankly, better racism in football than racism in foreign policy."


Racism in any form is unacceptable. And the Suns lost the Playoffs. Go Miami Heat.

[mark dasovic @ Jun 9th 2006 4:42PM]

yeah, I'm sure they are going to be pumping out 1500+ Mbps over ISDN... the last time I checked ISDN puts out a massive 128KBps...

[Prateek @ Jun 9th 2006 5:15PM]

I'll take futball over "Football" any day. That damned sport is designed around the concept of a commercial.

You want a real man's sport? try rugby. Padded wussies.

[Jouse R. @ Jun 9th 2006 7:13PM]

Here in Latinamerica this is a BIG social/commercial event.

[carlitos @ Jun 9th 2006 7:34PM]

funny.... most of the comments just dont like the world's sport.... but they had the time to read the whole article... if we talk ratings, the amount of people who watch the nba playoff, or the superbowl (is the world series still on tv???)is not even a bit enough to compare to the world cup audience... so just enjoy... til july 9th, the world is having a party, the rest will be watching oprah......

[3rdsun @ Jun 9th 2006 7:42PM]

If i had to choose american football(if thats it rightful name) vs international football I'd go with the later. Games that are simulate medieval warfare is not my cup of tea.

[Tnyc @ Jun 9th 2006 9:17PM]

To the guy who's from Spain and doesn't like football, you obviously know very little about the game. First of all, the World Cup only comes around once every 4 years. Many players will only get one shot in their entire lifetime to go for the glory. It's almost impossible to repeat the ultimate prize so there's almost no chance of 3-peat like in the NBA. It's truly "war on the field" and your entire nation is behind you if you made to the final. Unlike the Olympics, which focuses more on an individual accomplishment in many different sports, soccer is truly a team game. Your team carries the hope and glory for your entire country. The fans know that you only get ONE shot, in ONE game, in ONE lifetime if you are a soccer player. Hell, the cup had eluded England which is one of the game's dynasties for over 40 years and still counting! So taking all of these into consideration and knowing how uncomplicated the rules of the game are, then maybe you can appreciated why billions of people on the planet love this truly "the world's game" event. But hey, you can always move to Canada if you dont want to live in Spain becuase you are tired of the football freezy.

[claude @ Jun 9th 2006 10:01PM]

Every 4 years the world stands still. Warring factions stop fighting, opposing domestic teams start uniting. All in the name of one trophy: THE WORLD CUP.

To defame it by comparing it to the overhyped NBA or NFL is heresy. Just look at the technology that is so far advanced in delivering the sport to almost every facet of communication - TV, HD, Cellphone, Computer screen.... >1,000 reporters and a first --RFID tickets to out the imposters and hooligans.

One Cup, One Team, One Nation....One Love.

How can you not get it?

[HD @ Jun 9th 2006 10:02PM]

Well, here in America we only like games we are the best at. We like to call the baseball finals "World Series" but if we let Japan or Cuba play that would not be wise. NBA "World Champions" ... we don't want some Italian, Argentinian or Eastern Europe team play, ... that would defeat the purpose ... Football ... NFL World Champions ... yeah ... the whole world plays it ... whatever ...
Just wait til the USA wins a World Cup ... THEN we will be into it ... but then again, ... geeks aren't into sports ..

[John @ Jun 10th 2006 1:46AM]

It's a big thing here in the United States -- well for most of the Latino/Hispanic population. I believe the popularity of the sport will continue to grow year-by-year. Democrats are trying to attract voters from the Latino/Hispanic minority during the run of the event. I'm rooting for Team USA, and I wish them the best of luck. I would like to say more, but I'm afraid Tnyc already said it.

[HOLLAND @ Jun 10th 2006 3:15AM]

HUP HOLLAND HUP!

This the first time ever that HD will be avalible in the Netherlands, i'm verry excited about it :D

[me @ Jun 10th 2006 5:55AM]

here in austria i can watch it live on my cellphone. via a regular tv channel stream of "drei".

[TheWakeUpCall @ Jun 10th 2006 7:40AM]

That ignorant American guide was so stupid. The guy writing it was ridiculous. He didn't even understand injury-time. And some parts he explained so badly, he made me not understand them, when I knew perfectly well what they were before reading the guide. Just, no one read that guide if you don't understand football (or soccer to you Americans)

[Leo Maia @ Jun 10th 2006 10:46AM]

Football is not an European only game. In fact it is the most played and watched game on earth. If there's someone that don't understand about team sports is USA: only 1 of your 3 major sports (baseball, BASKETBALL and american football) are well known in the world. So keep the criticism to yourself and go take a walk througout the world to see why football is the game of the masses. Watch the final match of the Brazilian Championship or any other major football playing country and you'll see why is football so great. Your Superbowl doesn't even come close in terms of emotion. Let's go Brazil to the 6th star!!

[Navito UK Shopping @ Jun 10th 2006 3:44PM]

Glad to see you Americans taking an interest in "proper" football. A very interesting review of yours. Go England!

[MrFloppy @ Jun 10th 2006 8:08PM]

Here another spanish who doesn't like "fútbol".
It's so boring... Last week, in a TV show there was a debate about why north-americans don't like football. Basically, they said it's because you like sports with a bigger score, not a match that ends with a 3-2.

Anyway, on the tech side.
This was a big missing opportunity for spanish TVs to adopt HD. At least the lame "HD Ready" they're starting to sell (just 1366x768, not the proper 1280x720), we don't have any 1080i here, not even an HD Channel.
Almost all the world seeing it in glorious HD, or at least in anamorphic 16:9, and here we have a lame 4:3 yet ¬_¬

[Hougan @ Jun 10th 2006 9:51PM]

Peeps like Tiuk might seem provincial, but the truth is, they aren't even that---because they don't know what's going on in their own country, much less abroad. In most American cities, soccer and basketball are the two most popular sports by far (as measured by the number of people who actually play the games). I'm guessing Tiuk hasn't travelled much. Likes Freedom Fries.

[gerb @ Jun 11th 2006 10:50AM]

its summer break over here in the US. So I bet a lot of the kids in school are gonna watch some of the games, if not all of them.
i like the rants guys/gals :D

[c @ Jun 12th 2006 1:36PM]

the NBA is lame

[J @ Jun 12th 2006 2:02PM]

couldnt agree with you more c.....the NBA is just entertainment the players' motivation is money.....college basketball on the other hand...now that's real passion

[joni @ Jun 13th 2006 7:33AM]

I hope roony will not, Ruined the england hopes.

[Matthew O FIsch @ Jun 16th 2006 8:03PM]

WC Mobile TV

[Coach DAYO @ Sep 20th 2006 9:13AM]

Hello Sir,

My name is Coach Dayo Faleyimu from Nigeria.
I coach a Grassroot club living in Nigeria.
Pls i need your help for some Traing materials such as FOOTBALL,JERSEYS,TRACK SUITS,BOOTS AND TRAINING MATERIAS etc.
Sir i will be very happy if you can help me with any of this.
Here is my contact number [phone]
Yours is Sport
Coach Dayo