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World Cup fans were awed by the technology used to film the FIFA World Cup 2014 Final. The Ultra HD OmniCam technology is a pretty amazing way to enjoy the game. Learn more about how this technology works, and how you can re-live the OmniCam footage of the game.
1. Ultra HD OmniCam Invented in Germany
According to FIFA.com, the Ultra HD OmniCam technology has roots in Germany. The tech was developed by scientists at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin. You can learn more about what the Institute does in the video above.
David Ausseil, Creative Director of the FIFA World Football Museum, told reporters:
“The FIFA World Football Museum in Zürich will offer its visitors an unforgettable football experience. We believe this landmark project – filming all the action at the FIFA World Cup Final Match in Brazil in truly stunning panaromic format for our theatre – will be a must-see.”
2. Ultra HD OmniCam Footage of World Cup Final Available in 2016
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In the image above, Germany’s midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (L) and Argentina’s forward and captain Lionel Messi compete for the ball during the final football match between Germany and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA.com notes that the OmniCam footage taken during the World Cup final will be viewable again in 2016. That’s the year when the new FIFA World Football Museum is scheduled to open in Zürich. FIFA adds that people will be able to re-live the match on the 360° or 180° screens of future panoramic cinemas, making the experience incredibly immersive.
3. OmniCam Used at World Cup has 10x Better Picture than Standard HD
In the interesting video above, predictions are made about the kind of camera and video technology that might be used at the 2022 FIFA World Cup…including holographic TVs.
The Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute writes that the OmniCam camera system weighs just 15 kilograms (or about 33 pounds). Here are some tech specs from their website:
“The OmniCam consists of a scalable, mirror-based multi-camera rig and enables panoramic video to be shot at a resolution of 2 thousand x 10 thousand pixels. 10 digital cameras using ten 36 degree mirror segments deliver single segments which are stitched together in a real-time processor to generate a parallax-free, high quality video panorama.”
4. You Can Watch More Than the World Cup on OmniCam
Look what is making its Cricket debut at #CLT20 tonight during @rajasthanroyals vs. @mipaltan – #Omnicam pic.twitter.com/m1TNqX1xdl
— Champions League T20 (@clt20) September 21, 2013
In addition to its use at the World Cup, the OmniCam has also been used to film other events that are not related to the world of sport. The OmniCam was previously used to film Places of Music, a music documentary. The doc featured performances by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra, and the Rundfunkchor Berlin.
5. OmniCam Footage Will Have ‘Second Screen’ Functionality
Rehearsal for #fascinatedemo @UoSMediaCity video capture in 180° with omnicam pic.twitter.com/LZuvpjwyh7
— Ben Shirley (@BenGShirley) May 28, 2013
FIFA notes that OmniCam video content will be used as “second screen” apps to tablets, smartphones, and laptops. According to FIFA, “users will have the opportunity to navigate through the stadium and thus become their own camera operators.”
The timetable for this functionality is a little unclear at present, but it is still an exciting development.