Oslo, Norway, September 12 - Pixotope, a leading provider of virtual production software, is proud to announce that its technology played a pivotal role in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
For the first time, Pixotope's virtual production software was used to enhance the broadcast experience, offering viewers a more immersive and engaging viewing experience.
Pixotope's versatile portfolio of products, including Pixotope VS/AR Edition, Pixotope Living Photo, and Pixotope Vision, were instrumental in creating innovative and visually stunning content.
Pixotope Living Photo revolutionized the BBC Sport Olympic Virtual Studio by introducing interactive, real-time avatars of Great Britain's Olympic athletes. In partnership with MOOV, a mobile studio was set up at the Team GB kitting out event in Birmingham NEC, where the avatars of athletes were captured through a green screen filming process. These avatars and their celebratory or signature actions were then transformed into dynamic, trackable augmented reality video assets using Pixotope's technology.
Integrated with Vizrt's virtual studio, these avatars offered an unprecedented sense of realism, creating the illusion that athletes were physically present, adding a new layer of immersion and vibrancy to the BBC's Olympic coverage.
"The introduction of Pixotope Living Photo significantly enriched the BBC Sport Olympic Virtual Studio content production. The ability to introduce player avatars that tracked the camera, making athletes appear as though they were physically in the studio truly added an extra dimension. The capture and processing of each avatar is remarkably efficient, requiring approximately 2-5 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively. This streamlined workflow allowed for on-site avatar creation, which was then applied easily into the Viz scene as an AR layer. The production teams were pleased with the results, and we are excited to see how this product evolves in live sports broadcasts that want to add that extra personality to their player profile imagery. "
Nev Appleton, Co-Founder & Director of MOOV TV
Pixotope's technology also extended beyond the studio setting. Pixotope Vision, a powerful hybrid camera tracking tool, was utilized to capture stunning footage of various Olympic events. In partnership with Rocket Surgery, Pixotope provided tracking solutions for the pool at the Paris La Défense Arena and the track events in the Stade de France for a major sports broadcaster in the USA.
"Using Pixotope Vision during the Olympic Games in Paris was a game-changer for us. The challenging conditions at the Paris La Défense Arena and the Stade de France meant traditional tracking methods were off the table. Vision’s ability to generate a sensor-based point cloud without the need for physical markers was crucial. The ease of setup, exceptional support from Pixotope, and rock-solid stability made it an indispensable tool for our team at Rocket Surgery. It allowed us to deliver precise, high-quality results, even in the most demanding environments."
Terry Daily, Manager of Virtual Creative Services, Rocket Surgery, Creative Services group at Ross Video.
Viacom18 successfully delivered the most immersive Olympic experience ever seen by an Indian audience during Paris 2024, with every innovation designed to keep viewers at the center of the action. The creative work, managed by Viacom18s in-house team along with wTvision brought the games to life with unparalleled precision. Their Mumbai studios featured a cutting-edge mix of physical and green-screen setups, enhanced virtual sets and AR powered by Pixotope. The virtual studio themed around a Paris 2024 - photo realistic environment and graphics package crafted by wTvision India, delivering a truly memorable viewing experience.”
Pixotope's innovative solutions not only enhanced the viewing experience for millions of fans but also demonstrated the power of virtual production in transforming live broadcasts. Embracing the Olympic spirit, the successful integration of virtual production in this broadcast coverage showcases the advantages of pushing the boundaries of possibility. By offering a portfolio of versatile products, Pixotope is empowering broadcasters and content creators to deliver immersive storytelling and create unforgettable experiences.