SI: FIFA And Sony Set To Create Global 3D Experience Of The FIFA World Cup

[Christopher]

Following the initial joint announcement to make the world’s first FIFA World Cup available in 3D, FIFA and Sony unveiled insights into what the football fans around the globe can expect from this innovative undertaking to add a third dimension to the football viewing experience. Coinciding with the rapidly growing consumer interest in 3D fueled by the release of blockbuster movie titles in 3D and impending launch of 3D TV sets for the home, the first ever FIFA World Cup in 3D will further capture the excitement for millions of football fans around the globe.

Check out this great Reuters video covering the FIFA/Sony 3D World Cup story.

With a total of seven pairs of Sony’s professional HDC cameras on rigs at every match (model: HDC-1500, above), the action on the pitch will be captured in a stunning 3D quality enabled through its proprietary multi-image processor (model: MPE-200, below) and 3D Outside Broadcast truck.

Sony’s cutting-edge processor, the only one in the market to date, makes an end-to-end workflow possible in the production process and automatically adjusts the depth-of-field to ensure an unprecedented and optimal 3D viewing experience around the world. Starting from the FIFA Confederations Cup last year in South Africa, Sony has been working on enhancing the 3D capturing of fast-moving football action and has since conducted a number of 3D filming trials in Europe.

3D filming will be conducted at five out of the 10 FIFA World Cup stadiums: Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town (above) and Port Elizabeth. 25 matches in total will be filmed and broadcast in 3D, which will include a carefully chosen selection of those games expected to attract most public attention, including the opening game on June 11 at Soccer City (South Africa vs Mexico) and the crowning final game on July 11 also in Johannesburg. Other games to be captured in 3D are:

• June 11 16:00h RSA v MEX
• June 12 16:00h ARG v NGA
• June 13 20:30h GER v AUS
• June 14 13:30h NED v DEN
• June 15 20:30h BRA v PRK
• June 16 16:00h ESP v SUI
• June 17 13:30h ARG v KOR
• June 18 16:00h SVN v USA
• June 19 13:30h NED v JPN
• June 20 20:30h BRA v CIV
• June 21 20:30h ESP v HON
• June 22 20:30h NGA v KOR
• June 23 20:30h GHA v GER
• June 24 16:00h SVK v ITA
• June 25 16:00h POR v BRA
• June 27 20:30h 1st B v 2nd A
• June 28 16:00h 1st E v 2nd F
• June 28 20:30h 1st G v 2nd H
• July 2 20:30h Quarter finals
• July 3 16:00h Quarter finals
• July 3 20:30h Quarter finals
• July 6 20:30h Semi finals
• July 7 20:30h Semi finals
• July 10 20:30h 3rd place match
• July 11 20:30h Final

“The 3D feed from these 25 matches will be made available for broadcast on 3D channels, which can be enjoyed by consumers on their 3D-compatible TV sets in the comfort of their home, almost as if they were in the football stadium themselves,” said Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA TV. “Whilst discussions with major broadcasters are ongoing, I am very pleased to announce the first confirmed partners for the 3D live broadcast, who are ESPN in the US and Sogecable in Spain. We expect further announcements to be made shortly,” he added.

In line with FIFA’s and Sony’s endeavor to make this new exciting 3D viewing experience available to as many football fans as possible, a dedicated global 3D public viewing project will debut at this year’s FIFA World Cup. Eight matches will be fed live to digital cinemas and selected venues in 3D HD quality around the globe. To this end, FIFA has appointed Swiss-based Aruna Media AG to manage the exclusive 3D cinema and entertainment venue rights for live games in 3D. Aruna plans to broadcast live 3D coverage of matches to around 26 countries and is in advanced discussions with several major markets.

Reaffirming its leading position at the forefront of the emerging 3D market, Sony is the key technological enabler of this new viewing experience and enhances the excitement of football fans, either watching a football match live in the stadium or enjoying a new 3D experience through 3D TV channels or at the public viewing events around the world. “Sony has long standing credentials in the creation of professional 3D technology and content for theatrical use,” said Hiroko Saito, Deputy General Manager of Global Sponsorships, Sony Corporation. “True to our strategy