Unique Sports Graphics Technology Wins Twice at IBC

Red Bee Media’s Piero technology has won two awards at the IBC 2006.
It was awarded the Cable and Satellite Product of the Year Award for Best Outside Broadcast Technology or Service.
It also won a prestigious IBC Innovation Award for Innovative Application of Technology in Content Creation.
Piero is the first technology of its kind that enables better analysis of sports games. It enables viewers to see 'play' from angles that are not captured by cameras.
“We are delighted to have received so much recognition for Piero at such a high profile, international event as IBC. The awards follow the announcement that ITV will use Piero to enhance its coverage of the Champions League and UEFA Cup. ITV will be the fifth broadcaster to adopt the system to make the most of its sports coverage,” said Andy Townsend, Design Systems Manager at Red Bee Media.
Red Bee Media developed Piero from a BBC Research and Development ‘proof of concept’ in collaboration with BBC Outside Broadcasts for BBC Sport. Earlier this year Piero was also adopted by SkyItalia, Hong Kong Cable and TV Globo in Brazil in time for the World Cup.
The Piero technology places pictures of real players into a virtual stadium, where it is possible to view and analyse play from different angles in animated sequences. It is the only technology of its kind with a seamless transition between original footage and a virtual stadium. 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.
Piero also features the ability to track players across the grass and place pointers, badges and scores on the pitch in 'live' video. It can also be used to place virtual advertising in real footage or virtual stadiums.
Piero is operated through an easy-to-use touch-screen interface, which programme presenters and pundits can operate on-air. It allows them to draw directly on the pitch and can switch between real and virtual views at the click of a button. The drawn graphics remain 'tied-to-field' in moving camera footage.
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