Guest Editorial: How Advanced Encoding Technologies Are Revolutionizing Sports Content

In a busy year for sports and the ever-increasing need for fan engagement, it’s more crucial than ever to deliver high-quality live sports broadcasting. Advanced encoding technologies are at the forefront of this transformation, enabling broadcasters to deliver 4K, Ultra High Definition (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Dynamic HDR content. These advancements are redefining the viewer experience and setting new standards for live sports broadcasts.

Jean-Louis Lods, Ateme, VP Media and Monetization

For example, with more and more 1080p content benefitting from HDR, 4K and UHD broadcasts remain the pinnacle of visual clarity. 4K offers a resolution that is four times that of traditional full HD and this level of detail is crucial in sports broadcasts (and official replay reviews), where the ability to see every nuance of play, from the spin of a cricket ball to the intricate footwork of a soccer player, enhances the viewer’s experience. State-of-the-art compression algorithms ensure that 4K/UHD broadcasting is feasible even with the bandwidth constraints of live streaming. And that means high-quality 4K/UHD encoding which ensures that every frame is delivered with the highest clarity and precision, allowing viewers to enjoy a more detailed and immersive viewing experience.

HDR and Dynamic HDR: Enhancing Color and Contrast

While 4K/UHD improves resolution, the introduction of HDR has driven a market trend towards enhancing 1080p content, moving from HD to full HD quality. HDR significantly improves video quality by expanding the range of both color and contrast, making images more vibrant and lifelike with brighter whites and deeper blacks. This is particularly important in sports, where lighting conditions can vary widely, and capturing the true atmosphere of the game can make a significant difference to the viewer.

Dynamic HDR, meanwhile, goes a step further by adjusting the HDR settings in real-time based on the content of each frame. This means that viewers get the optimal visual experience whether they are watching a bright daytime match or an evening game under floodlights. Incorporating dynamic HDR technologies ensures that every broadcast is visually stunning.

Beyond Images: Full Immersion with Surround Sound

Stunning visuals brought to life by 4K UHD, HDR, and dynamic HDR are just the beginning. Immersive audio takes the experience further, plunging the audience into the heart of the live stadium atmosphere with surround sound. This rich acoustic environment comes from all directions—not just left and right or front and back, but also from above and below, thanks to NGA technologies that enable personalized audio adjustments and precise sound placement. Additionally, NGA enhances accessibility with customizable dialogue levels and supports interactive, adaptive content that adjusts dynamically to the listener’s environment and preferences.

MV-HEVC: Pushing the Boundaries of Efficiency

After breathtaking images and immersive sound, what’s the next frontier? MV-HEVC stands for Multiview High Efficiency Video Coding and was defined in 2014 as an extension of the HEVC specification. MV-HEVC supports stereoscopic 3D, allowing viewers to perceive depth in live broadcasts. And a further enhancement enabled by higher efficiency and quality is the ability to deliver 180 or 360-degree video streaming, MV-HEVC significantly improves virtual reality (VR) experiences. Viewers can immerse themselves in live events, feeling as if they are physically present in the environment.

This technology coupled with spatial computing devices like the Apple Vision Pro is going to provide a new level of immersive experience. Broadcasters can offer a more dynamic and interactive viewing experience, enabling fans to see the game from perspectives that were previously unavailable or impractical to deliver.

Low-Latency in the OTT Space

In today’s digital age, fan engagement is not just about watching the game; it’s about
interactive, multi-platform experiences. Social media, real-time stats, and augmented reality features are all part of the modern sports viewing package. Low-latency streaming solutions are crucial in this regard, ensuring that live broadcasts are delivered in near real-time, allowing for synchronized interactions and engagement across various digital platforms.

For instance, support for Common Media Application Format (CMAF) ensures that content is delivered with minimal delay, meaning OTT delivered sporting content is consumed at the same time as the traditional cable, satellite DTT/ATSC broadcasting, the spoiler effect can be eliminated.

Conclusion
As the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, comprehensive solutions such as those provided by leading encoding technology companies, are designed to meet these demands and shape the future. By enabling 4K, UHD, HDR, Dynamic HDR, MV-HEVC, and spatial computing, these technologies are not only enhancing the quality of live sports viewing but also ensuring that broadcasters can engage with their audiences more effectively.

These technologies ensure that broadcasters can deliver 4K/UHD and HDR content seamlessly, regardless of the viewer’s location or device. Additionally, cloud-native solutions provide the flexibility and scalability needed to handle the surge in viewership during major events.

With cutting-edge solutions, broadcasters are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the modern sports broadcasting era, ensuring that fans around the world can enjoy every moment of the action in stunning detail.