By Elina Shatkin, September 8, 2004
Vizrt, a producer of real-time 2D and true 3D graphics system for TV, has formed a strategic partnership with ABATEC Electronic AG, a developer and manufacturer of customized electronics solutions based in Austria, to integrate ABATEC's innovative and patented Local Position Measurement (LPM) technology within Vizrt's complete broadcast solution for a cost-effective, real-time data positioning system for live sports productions.
ABATEC's LPM system is based on radar microwave technology and provides real-time position data of unlimited objects with extreme accuracy. It works with small sensors placed on objects (i.e. racing cars, horses and athletes) and is the only technology of its kind. It determines the position, permanent speed, acceleration, distance traveled, and provides analysis of a multitude of sporting events. For example, LPM can determine the current positions, speeds, and distances between all race cars on a track - in real time. It can be used to compare the paths taken, distances traveled and speeds attained by downhill skiers. During an attempt at a new world record in a running race, a virtual runner on the screen depicts exactly where the runner needs to be on the track to set the record.
The Vizrt/ABATEC system displays the position, velocity and acceleration of an object in real-time as either standard graphics or as virtual overlays
. Vizrt's Viz|IO, the interface between camera and motion capture tracking systems and real-time graphics systems, gathers the data from LPM and distributes it to the Viz|Engine 3D renderer where it is recorded for instant replay or post production. Viz|Engine creates real-time graphics based on data provided by LPM. Viz|Arena produces the virtual overlay graphics placed on top of the actual moving objects.
Vizrt is the world's provider of real-time 2D and true 3D broadcast graphics. The company's software suite offers a complete graphics solution including: character generation, content management and newsroom integration, 3D tickers, virtual studio, weather data integration, virtual sports analysis, information display and virtual effects. All Vizrt's graphics products are powered by a single core
renderer, the unique and powerful Viz|Engine. Vizrt's graphics solution goes beyond the visual aspect and includes highly customized user interfaces for the designer, operator, journalist and engineer. The world's broadcasters, such as CNN, CBS, BBC, Sky, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, TV and NHK, use Vizrt's solutions in conventional digital and high definition content delivery. Production houses and corporate institutions, including the New York Stock Exchange, are Vizrt customers.
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