A partnership with EE has enabled EVS to deliver enriched media content over 4G Broadcast for the first time, to fans at Wembley Stadium.
During the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal on Saturday 30 May, content was distributed via the EVS FanCast system to dedicated media points around the venue, enabling fans to get access to exclusive replays and highlights.
FanCast operated over the EE 4G network to deliver replays, highlights and live camera feeds to a mobile app available inside the stadium. The EVS system comprises an XT3 live production server, IPDirector content management suite and the C-Cast cloud-based multimedia distribution platform.
FanCast brought in key moments from the game from host broadcaster BBC, via Arena TV’s OB trucks in the television compound. It then distributed this content to a mobile app, specifically developed by EVS partner Intellicore, which was available in dedicated areas of the stadium.
Arena TV’s OB services used a number of XT3 servers in the facility to ingest feeds from the stadium’s 30 cameras. These included five Super Slow Motion and two Ultra Motion cameras, which captured the match action at an extremely high frame rate.
Input Media also provided a match day big-screen service for the final using EVS technology. An XT3 production server ingested feeds from the BBC’s host OB facilities to quickly and efficiently turn around replays. These were played back for audiences to watch on the stadium’s 13 by eight metre big screen.
Matt Stagg, head of video at EE and founder of the Mobile Video Alliance, said: “Momentum is growing around 4G Broadcast as companies from mobile, broadcast and content industries recognise how it can finally be the way to more efficiently deliver a truly great TV experience to large numbers of mobile viewers. This wasn’t possible with 3G, but it is part of the 4G roadmap and we’re investing in this innovation to give customers a great mobile video experience, wherever they are. EVS has been a fantastic technology partner during this project, constantly innovating to bring us new ideas, new solutions and new features that wow our customers.”
Laurent Petit, vp products at EVS, added: “Live broadcasting has changed immeasurably. Today, live production solutions must be more agile and efficient to deliver creatively enriched content to a range of multiple devices. EVS solutions, like FanCast, allow our partners to enrich live multimedia content and create an immersive experience to generate a return on that emotion.”
Stand 8.B90