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Fox readies its VR suite for a key college football matchup
From Super Bowl 51 to the recent Gold Cup broadcasts, Fox Sports has been ramping up its virtual suite tech to let viewers view big sporting events in virtual reality. Now the broadcaster, in association with fast-food company Wendy's and the sports VR group LiveLike, has plans to offer a similar experience to college football fans as it brings historic rivals Notre Dame and Michigan State to virtual reality on September 23rd at 8:00 PM ET.
Is HDTV in David Stern's black box?
An even bigger mystery than who will go #1 in this year's NBA draft has emerged. A mysterious black box is on NBA.com, accompanied by the cryptic message that when David Stern unveils its contents it will "change the way you see the game". A big and unusual promise. Of course, we hope it contains high-def skycams for every NBA arena, or maybe a Bill Walton verbal restraint device. We certainly hope something 720p or 1080i is coming this way, but unfortunately we will have to wait. June 28th 11:30 a.m. all will be revealed (and likely be wildly underwhelming, but we're still excited).
Did you catch the NBA's dual SkyCam special HDTV broadcast?
As we told you about previously, the NBA debuted a whole new way of broadcasting their game last night for HDTV owners. I caught it and came away pretty impressed. The angle provided by the two SkyCams was far superior to the usual camera angles used. It brought you in a lot closer to the floor and made it feel like sitting close to courtside instead of simply being in the arena way up in the upper deck.One of my complaints about NBA broadcasts in high definition in the past has been how far out the cameras zoomed. There was often too much empty court or stands in the view and the players seemed small and far away (although amazingly detailed). Maybe having a bigger TV would have helped, but I don't and so I'm complaining. With these new camera angles I did not have that complaint at all.(Sorry about the painfully SD screenshot, but hopefully you can get an idea of the angle as Chris Wilcox goes in for a dunk)
HDTV Listing for April 11, 2006
What we're watching: Once again, you have the choice between a program about a man divinely chosen as a leader for his people, and The Ten Commandments on ABC. One has the guy who was in Heist, while The Unit features an assassinated ex-President who sells car insurance. We'll call it a push.Don't forget, tonight is the night for the NBA's dual-skycam broadcast of a game between the Spurs and Supersonics so be sure to check that out. There's also some new series on WB, Pepper Dennis is about a spunky female reporter etc. etc., it might be worth a look at 9 p.m.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
NBA announces new dual-Skycam broadcast plans
For the first time, an NBA game will utilize two "SkyCams" during the April 11th meeting between the Seattle Supersonics and the San Antonio Spurs (lot of Ss there). Instead of using two center court cameras like most NBA games, they will use the suspended high definition skycams to give the impression of sitting about 10 rows up from the floor.Two robotic high definition cameras above each backboard plus one at center court on the scorers table will give a unique "you are there" perspective for this game. For the audio, it will be in 5.1 surround, with the focus given to on court and arena sounds, much like the recent "silent game" in Orlando. Rick Kamla will host the game, checking in from various spots around the arena as well.This is great, I really feel like the NBA "gets" high definition and are looking to build around it for better quality broadcasts. The only real complaint I've had so far is that the camera angles don't seem to take advantage of HD's aspect ratio and detail enough, and I hope that these changes will enhance the experience. All we need now is for ESPN, ABC and TNT to take the hint, shut up blabbering on-air personalities and give us just basketball, raw and uncut.
