Chyron HyperX2 Graphics Systems In NBA All-Star HD 3D Extravaganza

Chyron has announced that its HyperX2 graphic system was instrumental in providing HD 3D graphics for the live broadcast of NBA All-Star Saturday Night on February 14 in conjunction with the NBA, TNT and Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp.
The event, broadcast from the US Airways Centre in Phoenix, Arizona, represented the first commercially marketed deal to deliver an NBA sporting event in live 3D nationwide.
Broadcast by satellite to more than 80 digitally-equipped theatres across the US, the NBA All-Star Saturday Night 3D action in HD was critically acclaimed as a huge success and as an identifiable watershed in the appeal of 3D productions.
Powered by 3D technology developed by PACE, Chyron worked closely with NBA engineers, Cinedigm and PACE to ensure that graphics used for the event were integral but not overwhelming for a 3D production. The goal of the production was to make viewers from all 80 cinemas to feel as though they were not only in Phoenix, but with the single-best seat in the arena.
The basic principle of stereoscopic 3D video is to produce two video channels; a right eye and left eye view. Two cameras are aligned so that each camera captures what the right and left eye would individually see. Those parallel video signals are then processed through the entire production chain and played back in a way that enables viewers with polarising glasses to experience the 3D effect.
To make stereoscopic 3D graphics to track with the live parallel video, Chyron modified a two-channel HyperX2 machine to generate left and right eye views. By using two cameras to provide a slightly offset view (the way eyes are naturally spaced) a true 3D image can be created in the composition.
According to Chyron Vice President of System Integration Jim Martinolich: "We were easily able to adapt HyperX2 to create stereoscopic 3D graphics because with Lyric PRO software, HyperX2 has always been capable of creating two independent channels of HD video."
Chyron's Lyric PRO render engine is powered by Chyron's breakthrough InterFuse technology, which supports a high level of integration with existing 3D design workflows. Moreover, Chyron's 'LEIF' plug-in API for Lyric PRO automates the steps involved in creating two channels, meaning that an operator can exercise precise control and update graphics in real time, at the fast pace required in sport.
Cinedigm Entertainment Group President Jonathan Dern said: "The genuine excitement created throughout the country following the success of this groundbreaking event bodes very well for the future of 3D productions of sporting and many other live events. Chyron's contribution was seamless and struck just the right balance for what we wanted to achieve."
Chyron COO Kevin Prince said: "This application is high-profile evidence of the power and flexibility of HyperX2 and we are delighted that it was deemed such a huge success for the NBA, TNT, PACE and Cinedigm. I expect to see many more 3D productions for simulcast to digital theatres and eventually into the home."
(KMcA/BMcC)