New BBC technology enables better analysis of rugby matches

BBC Broadcast’s new simulated sports field system for BBC Sport, 'Piero', is the first technology of its kind to enable viewers to see ‘play’ from angles that can not be captured by conventional cameras.
It will make its rugby debut during the RBS Six Nations Championship, which begins on BBC One on Saturday 5 February.
BBC Broadcast, in conjunction with BBC Resources, developed the new three dimensional graphics system from a BBC Research and Development ‘proof of concept’. It creates a virtual stadium, which is synchronised to the ‘real’ pictures coming from the television cameras. Pictures of real play are transposed into the virtual stadium, where it is possible to view and analyse play from different angles in animated sequences. Offside, forward passing and other offences can be seen from the best angle for analysis – even if the play has not been captured at this angle. Using this technique enables coverage to be obtained from viewpoints where it is not possible to place cameras.
“It’s great to be commissioned to work on such new and exciting technology for BBC Sport. Presenters and pundits get another way to view and analyse the crucial incidents in the match. It helps them understand the decisions better and explain the action to the audience more effectively,” said Andy Townsend, Design Systems Manager, BBC Broadcast.
Andrew Thompson, BBC’s Head of Development, New Media and Sportsnews, who commissioned Piero, said: “Piero is a major innovation for BBC Sport and builds on our commitment to develop cutting edge broadcast technology to our biggest events. It’s an exciting innovation for sports fans and will bring the game to life for people we hope will be the players and fans of the future.”
The new graphics system also features the ability to track players across the grass, and place pointers and badges on the pitch in 'live' video. It can be integrated with match information, results and statistics graphics to form an inclusive package for match analysis. The technology is adaptable to a variety of sports and events, as well as innovative entertainment formats.
The system uses a tracking camera head and electronics to capture the pan, tilt and zoom of the camera and lens. These variables are synchronised with the video time code and fed into a graphics PC. The PC houses a graphics render engine and control software. The operator has a user console with a graphical user interface, which provides the ability to control video footage and review incidents from new camera angles. The operator can try different animated camera moves, apply graphic treatments and record them for broadcast as appropriate.
The software is written in Java and C++, using the OpenGL API on the Linux operating system. The hardware is a standard availability graphics PC and a SDI video output card.
The system fully integrates with BBC Outside Broadcasts existing infrastructure and working techniques. Data signals are embedded within the video coming from the Piero cameras and it has been proven to pass freely through existing digital infrastructure.
BBC SPORT named the system Piero after Piero della Francesco, the 15th century painter who also wrote treatises on geometry and perspective, and was one of the first to apply the techniques to painting.
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