TV broadcasting in olympics

Rio 2016 Games is used to showcase technological innovations like virtual reality, video reviews, GPS, underwater digital lap counters…. state-of-the-art technologies will transform the athlete and spectator experiene. According to NBC Sports president Gary Zenkel, “”The Olympics have been a consistent driver of technological advancements, and Rio will be no different.” This posting is about  the TV broadcasting technology used in Rio olympics.

Even though 4K content is only now arriving, parts of the 2016 Rio games in August will be shot in 8K video and virtual reality. On the advanced TV technology it seems that 4K is widely used and some Olympic events will air in 8K and VR this year.

The broadcaster will make content from the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro available to carriers in not just 4K resolution but also with high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound, at least for those who have 4K TVs and sound systems which support 4K itself and these new 4K-related technologies. In USA 4K is reality: NBC is offering at least one event per day in 4K UHD. UHD broadcasts will be available via DirecTV, Dish , Comcast (via the Xfinity app on Samsung UHD TVs), and the new 4K TV service being offered by EPB.

Most normal viewers without 4K will see games that are broadcasted in 1080p video with 5.1 surround sound around the world (downscaled from higher resolution source material where higher resolution cameras are used). All told, there will be 7,000 hours of coverage broadcast to 220 countries and more than 5 billion viewers.

Some viewers will get even more resolution: In Japan, Olympics will be broadcast in 8K resolution.  Japan is pushing 8K heavily forward, because it intends to broadcast its 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Super Hi-vision, so it’s using the Rio event as a trial run. There will be 130 hours of the Super Hi-Vision video (7,680 x 4,320) with 22.2 channel surround, but only Japan will get 8K, because other countries are not ready for that. Japan starts 8K TV broadcasts in time for Rio Olympics: Public broadcaster NHK launched a satellite channel that will broadcast a mix of 8K and 4K content as it prepares to launch full-scale 8K transmissions in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Delivery in 8K is said to use the HEVC/H.265 codec in an MPEG transport stream, and a single satellite transponder can transmit at a data rate of about 100 Mbps, NHK says. And where you can view it in Japan is quite limited, because fact there’s only one consumer 8K TV available, Sharp’s LV-85001. Because there are praactically no 8K consumer displays, NHK has installed 8K displays at multiple venues in Japan and in Rio de Janeiro where the public can watch the high-resolution coverage. U.S. residents will have to make do with a 4K downconversion from the 8K footage  captured by NHK and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) -NBC is offering at least one event per day in 4K UHD.

The World’s First 8K OB Vehicle Is in Rio: Ikegami is providing what it says is the world’s first 8K OB vehicle, which it delivered last fall, outfitted with 8K field cameras and supporting gear. If you are interested what technology is inside, read  Rio 2016 Olympics Broadcasts: From 8K to VR to an iPhone article.

Virtual reality wides will be more widely available. For example BBC Sport to screen 360-degree video. BBC launched 360-degree video service for the Rio 2016 Olympics, letting you watch your favourite sports from any angle.The British broadcaster said it would be “the next best thing”. The BBC Sport 360 app can be downloaded for iPhone or Android. VR footage will be available for download worldwide. Google allows you to Visit Rio with 360-Degree Videos and Virtual Reality.

Second-screen experiences will be up and running in full force for the event. NBC Universal is providing a free official app, NBC Olympics. Finnish public broadcasting company YLE broadcasts will be live on TV and in Rio Areena streaming system.

Finnish broadcasting company YLE is actively on Rio olympics production. Rio Olympics is the largest remote production through the ages in Finland. Technological developments have made it possible to to make bigger production cost-effectively. The broadcasts will be live on TV and in Rio Areena streaming system. There will be 600 hours in two TV channels and all competitions in Rio Arena. YLE has 100 people in Rio to broadcast 4000 hours of program to television, radio and Internet. The material made by YLE will be used internationally as it is responsible for the Rio international television production, such as, inter alia, the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. YLE will participate, as well as the opening of the Games close on, track and field, football field, as well as horse-riding conclusion. Co-operation is posible because “We have the world’s best track and field factors broadcasts, directors, camera men and sound men.”

What technology is used in TV broadcasts? For details check those articles:

Rio 2016 Olympics Broadcasts: From 8K to VR to an iPhone h

Live From Rio 2016: ESPN’s IBC Facility Brings Nations Together; VER Is Key in Making It Happen

Rio 2016: Broadcast Audio Looks Muscular Ahead of Olympics Opening

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