Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of finalising a deal with a big tech company, which will allow the club to produce 3D highlights.
According to Arsenal shareholder, DarrenArsenal1, Arsenal are close to completing a deal with a ‘significant’ tech company, who will put cameras around the Emirates.
The company’s technology will allow the club to release 3D highlights, which no other team in the Premier League currently offers.
Arsenal on verge of announcing an deal with a significant tech company who are installing cameras at the Emirates, which will mean from next season we serve 3D highlights. Only team in league to have the technology.
— Darren (@DarrenArsenal1) February 18, 2018
While the use of the technology itself is exciting, as AFSCLondon points out, 3D TV isn’t that impressive unless you’re using it for analytical purposes.
From a VAR point of view, it could be useful, but other than that fans might find themselves a bit underwhelmed with the quality of the images produced.
I get that it is new and going to be the first club to use it etc, but 3D tv is not really that good and cumbersome to use.
HD made more of an impact than 3D unless this new company is going to take it to another level.
Just my opinion— Arsenal Supporters (@AFSCLondon) February 18, 2018
Yes, from analysis point of view it will be fantastic, no doubt, and potentially assist VAR in some way, but not as a day to day viewing experience just based on my own limited experience with 3D TV
— Arsenal Supporters (@AFSCLondon) February 18, 2018
Ahead of the 2017 season, tech company Intel teamed up with 11 NFL clubs to produce what they’ve called ‘FreeD technology’ to bring fans a more ‘immersive’ experience when watching the highlights of a game.
According to Intel‘s official website:
Each stadium is equipped with 38 5K ultrahigh-definition cameras to capture the greatest plays from every angle and create enhanced 360-degree highlights and immersive player perspectives.
In addition to the 5K ultrahigh-definition cameras, each venue is equipped with servers that process up to 1 terabyte of data per 15- to 30-second clip. After capturing this data, the volumetric video is fed through miles of fiber-optic cables into a special control room, where the Intel production team virtually recreates the selected clip in 3D from an ideal vantage point or player’s perspective to take fans directly into the game from angles traditional cameras can’t reach.
It’ll be interesting to see what company Arsenal have teamed up with for this deal and whether their arrangement will be similar to the FreeD technology being used by Intel in the NFL. It certainly sounds similar and, if this is the case, it’s really exciting.