Video Streaming is a growing area in sport; many large professional clubs are not producing their own content and delivering live internet video streams to fans; for sports clubs, athletes, leagues and governing bodies; live streaming is increasingly being used as a way to grow fan engagement.
Basics:
The simplest implementation of live video streaming is often simply using a mobile phone to stream from an event to social media sites (Facebook or Twitter for example). This is commonly used to show “behind the scenes” footage of teams from locker rooms, etc.
A single camera, single laptop configuration is where many people move next. A single camera is used to follow the action and a laptop is connected (often by mobile phone) to the internet and a stream is sent to a streaming service (Youtube for example; although Facebook and Twitter video is still relevant here).
Intermediate:
Once a basic implementation has been achieved; moving to more integrated solutions is typical.
This will typically be including scoreboard information in the video stream. This normally starts with a manual system disconnected from the game scoreboard; and progresses to a full integration with the event data information systems.
Chroma-key (green screen) is often used to layer the scoreboard from a computer application over the live video feed of the game. Alternatively a full colour scoreboard is shown in a small “picture in picture” layout. Many small events will also use a solution where a video camera is pointed at the actual scoreboard at the venue and inset (picture in picture) in the video streamed.
Typically, a commentator would be incorporated at this level.
Multiple cameras might be incorporated at this stage; which may or may not be mixed via a “vision mixer”.
Advanced:
As the popularity and value of live video streaming grows; organisations may look to advanced solutions that replicate the production values of professional TV sport presentations. This would include multiple camera with “sting” graphics as camera changes are made. Integrated scoreboards and other data (such as live twitter message displays or instagram photos) might be included.
Multiple commentators would be typical, along with a studio (real or virtual), would be normal at this stage. Specifically, the commentators will introduce the event and close it out at the end of the day. Expert commentators may be used to provide “flavour” to the stream footage.
Pre-prepared “features” highlighting team or players of community projects are often played in timeouts etc.
Action replay is often provided either via the streaming hardware, or as a camera input from a sport specific replay system.
Getting started:
Contact us and we will be happy to assist you in exploring viable video streaming options. Streaming can be used by athletes, clubs, events, leagues and governing bodies to express the values and exciting events they are involved in.
A video stream is increasingly important for growing a fanbase. Young athletes who travel will often attract viewers from their close and extended families. With this experience shows that elite level sports do not always grow the largest fanbases. Streaming developed to serve the existing fans is normally more successful than streaming projects developed with less targeted delivery.
We suggest starting small and growing streaming based of results and feedback.
Some sports have found that video streaming is less interesting to fans than audio streaming for example. So investment in expensive cameras might be a worse use of tight budgets than investing in audio hardware or even simply having live results available online.
Tailoring you streaming presentation to match the culture and feel of your sport is important. A 5-day cricket test match will require a different solution than a basketball game. A swimming competition can potentially create terrific onscreen graphics (due to the fact that the “field of play”) is restricted and athlete movement very predictable.
Sport Southampton can provide indoor and outdoor sports assistance if delivery of video streaming (along with event data systems, web development etc).
Informal conversations welcomed.