OBS produces its video content in ultra-high resolution and high energetic range, which should improve the level of detail and color in every shot. Content is also recorded in a variety of formats: vertical video for watching clips on phones, 8K video for broadcasting in the highest resolution, and 360-degree shots for truly immersive drama.
OBS says that number has more than doubled multi-camera systems uses to capture multiple angles of the action for later playback in super leisurely motion. It will also apply cinema camera lenses, which are capable of capturing more artistic shots, such as the enhanced depth-of-field changes you’ve probably seen in movies. The difficulty with achieving this with conventional action cameras is that the time it typically takes to process these intricate shots makes them unusable in live production. However, OBS relies on AI and cloud technologies to speed up processing times enough to apply these shots in its live coverage. Exarchos says its up-to-date processes enable shots that previously couldn’t be captured and presented live, such as 360-degree replays that spin the viewer around the athlete as they soar through the air.
“The effect that exists in Matrix “A film that can be made in the cinema can be made live,” says Exarchos.
OBS also records audio in 5.1.4 format, aiming to capture immersive audio from the action and athlete interviews on the sidelines. This, along with things like augmented reality stations that give people a glimpse of what’s happening on the Olympic grounds, is intended to make those at home feel closer to the Games.
“If we repeat the previous — very successful — games, we will fail,” Exarchos says. “Because, like in sports, it’s all about breaking new ground, crossing new boundaries, and taking a step further.”
Technology testing ground
As you might expect, in 2024 AI tools will be widely used at the Olympic Games.
Broadcasters like Olympic Broadcasting Service and NBC will use AI to stitch together highlights, which collects thousands of hours of footage to find key moments, package them neatly and deliver them directly to the viewer. Some companies have bet everything on AI offerings; NBC will use the voice of legendary sports commentator Al Michaels to talk about their top packages on Peacock. The team trained its generative AI voice engine using Michaels’ previous broadcast appearances, and the results sound smooth but still undeniably amazing.
When watching live games, the AI will be able to conjure up key information in real time and display it on the screen: athlete stats, percentages of the probability of hitting a shot or running out of time, and artificially augmented views of what’s happening on the field. The AI invasion extends beyond the games; NBC is enabling artificial intelligence on its advertising platform with the aim of better personalizing the ads displayed during breaks.
This over-the-top broadcast bacchanalia is still a testing ground for these new technologies. NBC is using the Olympics as the first major test of its multiview capabilities and user customization features, so expect to see these things appear more often in regular live sports broadcasts. According to an NBC representative, the company hopes the technology debuting at the Paris Olympics could be implemented in other live sports events and even non-sports programming, like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The ultimate goal of these technologies, Exarchos said, is to make people feel more connected to the events and the people attending them, especially after the last two Olympic Games were burdened by pandemic-related restrictions that limited the number of people who could attend.
“We’re going through a phase where people have a huge desire and nostalgia to get away from physical experiences, especially with other people,” Exarchos says. “Sports is a big catalyst for that.”