Everything You Wanted to Know About Virtual Reality Broadcasting

Virtual Reality (VR) is no more considered a futuristic technology, but a realistic trend that is empowering lives across the globe. Today, virtual reality broadcasting has been used from rehab clinics to football matches to live news streaming. We are daily bombarded with various types of images on our Smartphones, television sets, 70mm screens, laptops, etc. These images play a major role in shaping our perceptions regarding a brand, person, society, or the world we live in. Most of these images are static in nature and don’t allow viewer’s active participation. This is where the virtual reality broadcasting chooses to differ. What is it? How is it changing lives of people? Read below to know more.

Brief Introduction to Virtual Reality Broadcasting

Today, VR experiences are being delivered through proprietary platforms such as Virtually Live, Next VR, etc. These platforms allow virtual participation at events from anywhere in the world. The VR technology bridges the gap between attending a live event, and watching it on television screens. These patented platforms use 3D real-time positioning tracking data, which is transposed into a virtual arena or venue, allowing fans to watch the event or game in 3D. Viewers are required to use specially-designed headsets, which allow them to adjust themselves to any viewing position, and watch the event live in 3D, as well as interact with other participants or fans at the event.

Virtual Reality Broadcasting Has Finally Arrived!

• The first reported instance of VR broadcasting is when NextVR collaborated with CNN to broadcast a Democratic Debate of Hillary Clinton (#DemDebateVR) on October 13, 2015.
• In 2016, sports broadcasting major NBC created a history by providing 85 hours of VR coverage of the Summer Olympics. NBC authenticated its loyal users to use compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphones to watch the event. Users along with Samsung VR were allowed to access the live programming through NBC Sports app via TV Everywhere after making a payment. The VR programming began on August 6, 2016 (opening day of tge Olympics) and ended on August 22, 2016 ( a day after the conclusion of the Olympics). Although games were broadcasted with some delay, still NBC claims that it has successfully delivered unique viewing experience to its loyalists.

Conclusions from Current Virtual Reality Broadcasting

1. Optimized User Experiences: People will get freedom from teleporting between different camera angles. They can participate in their favorite event without leaving their home.
2. Personal Impact Will Be Great: A user will get a chance to feel his/her favorite football player or public persona at closer angles. Many VR broadcasting viewers reported that they felt closer to Hillary Clinton when she waved at them after Sheryl Crow’s rendition of the national anthem during the #DemDebateVR.
3. Huge Initial Investments in Software and Hardware are Required: People who want to get into VR mode need to make huge initial investments in proprietary hardware and software. These investments will pay for ticket prices, waiting time, and other agonies that they face at event venues.
4.   Image Quality will Improve in Future: Live-action VR is not provided in HD. This means the gap between 3D animation and realistic visual experiences still remains large. All the current proprietary VR platforms can only assure you best image clarity at closer distances. No doubt, it will get much better in the future.

There will be a day when the image quality will become indistinguishable from the reality and offer    crisper experiences.

 The concept of Virtual Reality (VR) is evolving each day. The above-mentioned events are only beginning of the new trend. RGB Broadcasting is among the few companies that specialized in live streaming and live broadcasting virtual reality technology in India. If you like to know more about the service get in touch with our VR Tech Experts.