Instant replay has redefined the way we view sports. From spectators at home, to officials on the field, the ability to review and analyze a previous play is something we all depend on. Since debuting its innovative 3-dimensional instant replay freeD system at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Replay Technologies has since upgraded its already impressive Free Dimensional Video.
The company’s freeD instant replay system allows for a unique 360-degree, real-time perspective of any sequence or athlete within many sports environments. During NBA All-Star Weekend, Replay Technologies faced a few challenges when trying to piece together quality replays over short commercial breaks. Now, Replay Technologies has launched its “Generation 2” freeD system that can render game footage in just 30 seconds. Its technology was recently showcased in 18 countries on Sky Sports broadcast of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Champion’s League Final this past June in Germany.
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“Generation 2 is significantly faster. The size and space of our data and physical footprint is half of what it used to be,” said Preston Phillips, Vice President of Business Development, Marketing and Communications for Replay Technologies. “In addition, we can now offer teams a multi-camera feature, which gives them the output of all 36 cameras, so that within five seconds they can actually see independently what each camera is seeing. This gives teams the ability to select the camera angle they wish to view, either for an in-stadium replay or broadcast replay. Even coaches can benefit with the opportunity to use these never before seen replays to help the team learn from what happened on the field.”
This upcoming NFL football season, the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are two of the teams that will be utilizing the freeD Generation 2 system. Phillips stated that the most important part of installing the technology systems for each client is understanding the logistics of their stadiums.
“We have to look separately at each stadium to figure out how to precisely lay out each camera,” said Phillips. “With Generation 2 we typically implement 28 to 36 cameras throughout a given arena and it takes a few weeks to install. We supply organizations with our own operators to help train teams how to control and use the system on their own.”
Once installed, the freeD camera system can be re-calibrated for multipurpose usage. For example, AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, hosts other events besides football games. Phillips explained that the system had been adjusted for concerts held in the venue, international soccer matches and for the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four.
Within the past year, Replay Technologies has been focusing their time on significantly growing their company and finding ways to become more aware and in-tune with all possible consumers. From a growth standpoint, Replay Technologies has partnered with other tech corporations and investment groups and is now closing its B round of funding.
The company also welcomed earlier this year Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, renowned entrepreneur and host of the popular TV show, Shark Tank, to be a part of Replay Technologies’ investment team. With the help of Cuban, the company has added the University of Indiana to be its first NCAA team to implement freeD technology.
Cuban is an alum of Indiana and is building a new sports media and technology center at IU. “We are excited to work with the student program at IU to further develop young minds that are interested in technologies like freeD. This year, we will launch our technology in partnership with Indiana for football and basketball,” said Phillips. “There is a great opportunity to further integrate sports technologies’ within the college environment. There are so many wonderful ideas coming from academia.”
The freeD 360-degree perspective is able to offer its users a competitive advantage. Phillips made the comparison that teams can use their cameras to essentially hover across a playing surface as if there was a bumble-bee flying around the field, with the absence of any physical device.
“By having an infinite number of possibilities where you can see from, you have a better advantage, not only as a consumer or fan, but also as a player, owner and official,” said Phillips. “We are creating immersive 3-D environments. If you want to watch the game from the goal post you can do that. If you want to view it from the 20-yard line you can do that too. If you want to see what the quarterback sees, eventually, you will be able to do that from what we are able to offer.”
Currently when we as fans watch a sports broadcast, we only have a 2-D perspective. Looking ahead, next year, Replay Technologies is looking to move into the consumer space with an interactive player for PC, laptops, smart phones, tablets or TV sets. freeD is also well advanced with suitable video format for all the VR devices as it captures the reality in real time voxels which are 3 dimensional pixels.
“We want people to have the power to control a game from the perspective where they wish to watch a game,” said Phillips. “It will also give users the ability to record a specific play, like a Lebron James dunk, and share their perspective with others. We have the opportunity to create a whole new media platform.”
Over the past year, Replay Technologies won an Emmy Award for its technological innovation in partnership with the New York Yankees and YES Network. Moving forward, the company is looking to gain more awareness from prospective clients in order to broaden their marketability.
“Currently we have over a dozen professional organizations that implement freeD video across the United States, Korea, South America, Germany, Japan, Brazil and beyond,” said Phillips. “We are a sports-centric company but we are venturing into the entertainment spectrum to use our technology for television, film and fashion.”
Replay Technologies is able to offer teams and at-home spectators an unprecedented game viewing experience. 3-Dimensional replay is no longer an innovation of the future; it’s available now through freeD video. With faster render times and more possible camera angles, Replay Technologies Generation 2 system is able to provide consumers with an up close and personal view of every play and every player, creating a customized 360-degree viewing experience.