Catch the footy action from your couch if Virtual AFL becomes a reality
FOOTY fans of the future may not need to leave their couch with new technology to send all the sights and sounds of the game to their mobile phone.
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FUTURE generations of sports fans and music enthusiasts could get the best view in the house without leaving the comfort of their home thanks to new technology expected to take Australia by storm.
“Next VR’’ virtual reality will give ordinary fans views and experiences typically reserved for the rich and famous with the sights and sounds of sport and entertainment sent to your living room.
The AFL is reviewing the technology which can shows live action filmed from front row seats and beams the vision and sound to viewers via special virtual reality glasses.
It means you can view the action anywhere with an internet connection like you were actually there.
The NBA already screens live regular-season games in the tech internationally, the NFL has a dedicated NewVR channel for replays and golf, boxing, tennis and music promoters have begun using it abroad.
AFL media and broadcasting general manager Peter Campbell said the league, in partnership with Telstra and Samsung, trialled forerunner technology to NextVR during last year’s finals series.
“Those exercises in content, post-production and execution has provided the AFL with a very good source of experience and knowledge in the production of VR content,’’ he said.
He said ``the initial experience’’ of 10 VR packaged produced by the AFL and a VR “loungeroom’’ experience highlighted “early logistical’’ problems in live and non-live production.
“One of those is the size of our field of play and the ability for cameras operating in VR mode to capture the size of the field, the speed of play and the fact that our game has less stop/start action,’’ he said.
But the technology expected to develop at a rapid rate and other major codes turning to it in a world where fan engagement is considered crucial, the said the AFL saw its future merit.
“We will continue to monitor the progress of VR with great interest, and how various sports are trying these new and varied types of technical innovation,’’ he said.
NextVR replays of this year’s NBA Finals between Golden State Warriors were available soon after matches with fans given views from a courtside view of the exploits of LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
The US Open used the technology at last year’s tennis Grand Slam.
And Live Nation is using it to film artists backstage and performing to mass audiences.
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