This live sports PoC used 5G standalone connectivity for an engaging remote production using LiveU encoders and cloud production service, integrated with Dreamwall virtual graphics.
Orange Belgium and LiveU collaborated on the delivery of live coverage of the International Belgian Judo Open competition, Open de Visé, a major tournament on the European judo circuit. This was achieved through a remote cloud production PoC (proof-of-concept) intended to promote 5G standalone (5G SA) connectivity and cost-efficient reliable workflows.
The PoC was initiated and managed by a local production company, Atmosfair, in partnership with ID2Move, a centre of excellence in Belgium focussed on autonomous systems, drones, AI and 5G. Their project was ambitious and fairly complex.
They brought together Orange and LiveU with Dreamwall, a virtual design and digital content production specialist, wanting to integrate 5G connectivity, streaming and cloud production, with augmented reality (AR) content. Broadcast-quality video feeds were streamed live to social media channels, including the Belgian Judo Federation's own platforms.
The PoC also serves as a new use case, tested in the Orange 5G Lab in Liège as part of LiveU's ongoing collaboration with Orange Belgium. This time it demonstrated aspects of prioritising 5G standalone using a dedicated network slice to guarantee bandwidth for uninterrupted live transmission.
ID2Move, Belgian centre of excellence focussed on autonomous systems, drones, AI and 5G.
LiveU's Lightweight Sports Production (LWSP) was used as the video production workflow, combining LiveU's portable 5G units including the LU800 5G multi-cam and compact LU300S, LU-Smart mobile app and the LiveU Studio cloud-native video production service. The production took advantage of some of LiveU Studio's newer features such as instant replay, and remote guest and commentaries integration.
Enhancing the visual experience were real-time AR graphics from Dreamwall, which were integrated into the feeds remotely, in the cloud, through the LiveU Studio interface. Dreamwall specialises in animation and visual effects, and is recognized for its expertise in virtual production. It supports clients with innovative content for sport, television, events and entertainment. Owing to the size of files often used for AR productions, Dreamwall’s contribution added a level of complexity to the project.
Sylvain Menet, Technical & Innovation Manager, Media Solutions, Dreamwall, said, "As part of our recent experimentation, we have tested the feasibility of remote AR to produce virtual advertising content using a 5G connection. The objective of this Judo Proof of Concept (PoC) was to retrieve the video feed and camera tracking data to integrate virtual advertising elements in real time.
“The test results were promising. This technological demo opens up new possibilities for the future of virtual production and advertising, particularly for outdoor shoots or sports events requiring increased flexibility while gaining more visibility for sports organizer's partners."
Philippe Toussaint, Chief Technology Officer at Orange Belgium commented that 5G standalone connectivity allows Orange Belgium to expand the scope of the broadcasting sector while improving productivity, security and sustainability. “Our work to implement and continuously upgrade our network have helped to make this project possible," he said.
The remote production involved three separate venues – the location where the competition was held, where only the camera crew was needed on-site to ingest the live shots with the field units, the central production studio and Dreamwall's own facilities. Using remote and cloud production tools, the set-up kept travel and equipment costs relatively low, making live production more feasible.
Emilien Watelet, Director of ID2Move, noted, "Earlier on, we hosted a PoC for real-time management of stock in warehouses with drones, AI and 5G. It has been an important step forward to understand the practical solutions that 5G can offer, which made coordinating this project with Atmosfair Production very exciting."
Summing up, Philippe Gaudion, Regional Sales Manager, LiveU, said, "Working with our partners on this 5G PoC has been a valuable experience, showing the potential of live sports production. The results highlight how a 5G remote production set-up can enhance live event broadcasting with greater flexibility, cost-effectiveness and creativity for sports productions across Europe."
In a previous 5G pilot project, LiveU was involved in Orange Belgium and EVS's 'Flex Production', which successfully brought live theatre performances to schools in the Walloon and Brussels regions of Belgium. www.liveu.tv
