"Matrix" like Cameras for PBC fights

[ReggieDiggs]

I like the sound of this & looking forward to seeing this in action. No ones been thinking outside the box in boxing since 1982.

Sam Flood of Football Night in America fame will be the executive producer -- but it's investing in new camera technology that hasn't been used before that should give the audience an unprecedented insight into the action.

Flood told Yahoo Sports Thursday that he will incorporate the use of a 360-degree camera dubbed "Round-a-Bout" that will give a broader view of punches and fighter movement than has ever been done previously. It will actually be 32-remote controlled cameras mounted above the ring that, similar to the 1999 movie, "The Matrix," will allow viewers to see what happens from every side and angle.

Flood said that at least at the beginning, he'll utilize it and the ref-cam mostly for replays. But eventually, he'll increase usage as he gets more comfortable with it and finds different ways to incorporate it into the broadcast.

NBC has been testing it and has been pleased with the results. During the Stanley Cup Final last year, he tried to put a pair of Google Glasses on one of the referees, but didn't talk about it prior because he wasn't sure how it would work. As the game unfolded, he realized it wasn't a fit and that shot never made it on the air.
But he's been thrilled with what he's seen so far from the "Round-a-Bout."

"The cool thing about this is being able to look at a punch from all different angles," Flood said. "To be able to zoom around in that Matrix-top style, it's going to make a huge difference for the viewer because you're going to see from behind the fighter and then where the punch is landing.

"It'll spin around with real clarity, and so it's going to explain a lot of things. Shots that you think might not have made it, or did make it, well, we'll have no question what's happened, because there will be this single image without cutting between cameras. You're going to nail it."

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/nb ... 11323.html

[Boxing Prospect]

Think ESPN tried ref cam, some pro wrestling did too...didn't really work

[ReggieDiggs]

Think ESPN tried ref cam, some pro wrestling did too...didn't really work

How didn't it work? Idk how a ref cam wouldn't be awesome for stoppage fights in particular. The ref gots the best "seat" in the house.

You recall when ESPN tried it? Any particular fights?

[crusader]

I think Pride had it too and it didn't add much to the experience.

There are typically good angles and close-ups available anyway.

[handsofstone]

The only time I can remember seeing the ref cam used was when Garcia stopped Khan and I actually thought the stoppage was a tad premature

[Boxing Prospect]

Think ESPN tried ref cam, some pro wrestling did too...didn't really work

How didn't it work? Idk how a ref cam wouldn't be awesome for stoppage fights in particular. The ref gots the best "seat" in the house.

You recall when ESPN tried it? Any particular fights?

Was disorientating iirc, I thought it would be good but really didn't work very well. The ref has a great seat, his head however doesn't make a great place for a camera given that he moves a lot.

[crusader]

It was the same problem with the Pride cams...shaky and not offering very clear views.

[tiny_acres]

I hope that matrix camera stuff is as cool as it
Sounds.

[crusader]

The 360 camera somewhat interests me (at least PBC is trying some different stuff) and it would be cool if there were a feature, maybe something that could be done online after the bouts, for people to watch replays at any angle they chose. To echo BP's sentiment, ref cams seem like a good idea but all the one's I've seen were duds.

[ReggieDiggs]

Think ESPN tried ref cam, some pro wrestling did too...didn't really work

How didn't it work? Idk how a ref cam wouldn't be awesome for stoppage fights in particular. The ref gots the best "seat" in the house.

You recall when ESPN tried it? Any particular fights?

Was disorientating iirc, I thought it would be good but really didn't work very well. The ref has a great seat, his head however doesn't make a great place for a camera given that he moves a lot.

Hmmm. Yea didn't think of the found footage movies/shaky cam angle to this that pisses people off.

Maybe they got something that stabilizes things better now idk.

I don't recall seeing it in Pride or ESPN so I'm going to have to go search that out to see the issues with it.

[Dennis]

With all this should come instant replay for the big fights. If a ref rules a punch "low", it can be reviewed. Same thing with a knockdown. Did a punch land?, did the boxer touch the canvas?, was his foot stepped on?, was he tripped?, etc.

I like that PBC is trying some new things. I also like the good fights on network TV. I'm hoping for big things for boxing.

[Blodhemn]

Will Lana Wachowski be a ring card girl or Haymon's main squeeze?

[ReggieDiggs]

Will Lana Wachowski be a ring card girl or Haymon's main squeeze?

Al knows how to get attention so for sure Bruce Jenner. Lana is some 2010 sh!t or whatever.

[Boxing Prospect]

Panasonic have released a recent video of Akifumi Shimoda using some similar technology to the ref cam. It still makes me feel ill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL3px_6rP20

[ReggieDiggs]

Panasonic have released a recent video of Akifumi Shimoda using some similar technology to the ref cam. It still makes me feel ill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL3px_6rP20

Yea it kinda gots that feels like sh!t is coming at you vibe or something just being too close to you vibe & my eyes are squinting & sh!t. You almost need to push that out that view a foot or something. Its too close to the action. Or else I'm to out of date with what kids like in 2015. Cuz basically 50% of the games people like today seem like first person shooter type games where this is basically the view you get give or take.