Extending the studio with AR graphics allows the BBC to enhance the viewer experience with AR graphics that would not be possible in a traditional studio.
Sports graphics company MOOV has deployed RT Softwares AR solution on a three-camera (two pedestals and one jib) set-up at Wimbledon 2019 with Mo-Sys StarTracker camera tracking technology for BBC Sport.
This optical tracking system gathers tracking data, enabling studio cameras to be moved when overlaying augmented graphics.
For both Mo-Sys and RT Software, this is the first time their AR solutions have been in use at Wimbledon. Extending the studio with AR graphics allows the BBC to enhance the viewer experience with AR graphics that would not be possible in a traditional studio.
AR graphics include virtual life-size cutouts of players on glass plinths in front of the presenters, and a virtual Magic Window looking out over a 3D render of a tennis court with results and match data laid on to the court surface.
As well as giving the appearance of perspective and parallax to the Magic Window, camera moves include a passing shot from the glass plinth to reveal the presenters behind. Each camera feed is passed through RTs render engine which drives both the player cutouts and the magic window in real time.
Commenting on the announcement, Nev Appleton, Director and Co-Founder of MOOV said: This is our 18th Wimbledon for BBC Sport and we are happy with the results that we have achieved using the 3d-Live render engine from RT Software. We also use StarTracker on many projects and Mo-Sys have always delivered great results. We are always looking to bring best in field software and hardware for Wimbledon and this year is no exception.
Speaking on the coverage, Michael Geissler, CEO, Mo-Sys added: With Wimbledon being such a key event in the UKs sporting calendar, we are extremely excited to be working with MOOV and providing StarTracker for this years coverage.
Mike Fredriksen, Commercial Director of RT Software noted: RT Software is delighted to be working with MOOV at Wimbledon, providing the underlying graphics technology for the BBCs studio AR graphics. RT Software has long since been associated with virtual studio and AR graphics at flagship BBC coverage including elections, Eurovision and key sporting events but this is our first Wimbledon. Working with MOOV and Mo-Sys is always a pleasure and we are pleased the partnership yields such great looking results.
