IMG Media adopts tOG-Sports

IMG Media Premier League Production provides more in depth analysis of the Barclays Premier League using tOG-Sports graphical analysis system.

RT Software Limited, the London based supplier of real-time 3D broadcast graphics solutions, announces that IMG Media, the global sports media specialist and production company, has installed a tOG Sports Pro graphical analysis system for their client, the Premier League.

Premier League Productions uses the analytical capabilities of tOG Sports Pro as an excellent way to add additional value and content to their existing studio output, which is broadcast globally to over 100 territories.

The new setup consists of a tOG-Sports Pro system supporting 2 touch screens in the studio, and an operator client in the gallery. In the studio, the presenters can perform analysis on a large 46” Samsung touch screen for discussions that involve two or more people, or switch to a desk mounted 24” screen for individual analysis. Each display allows the control and analysis of both pre-prepared video clips playing directly from EVS, or Live match footage as required.

“We’re delighted that Premier League Productions has chosen tOG Sports for its coverage of The Barclays Premier League.” states Mike Fredriksen, Commercial Director at RT Software, ”This further proves that our tOG family of real-time graphics solutions enable our customers to broadcast superior graphics, and to really differentiate their channels and engage their audiences”.

“tOG Sports Pro has improved the service we offer to our licensees’ viewers. The system allows us to utilise the professional knowledge and experience of our studio guests and provide a new and more in depth analysis of the Barclays Premier League”. said Sam Leadsom, Executive Producer of Premier League Productions at IMG.

Project Technical Overview

Premier League Productions are using the full capabilities of tOG Sports Pro whereby an operator will prepare clips using tOGs line tracking software, which gives the ability to insert 3D “tied to pitch” graphics and keyframe graphics to follow the movements of players. This combined with tOG’s easy to use chroma keyer setup gives the appearance of the graphics appearing underneath the players feet, and with the correct perspective for the camera angle. New advanced features, like “Player Drag” which cuts out selected players who can then be repositioned anywhere on the pitch, are done instantly, without the need to spend time cutting each player out, which offers obvious benefits to any fast paced production. These clips are then made available to the “Manager touchscreen” – a fully customisable interface used by the presenters in the Studio. The presenters control the playback of these clips, and can add their own telestration on-the-fly. IMG’s customisation of the Manager screen to incorporate EPL branding is a good example of the built in flexibility of tOG Sports to suit broadcasters individual needs.

tOG-Sports is an off the shelf product family that can be used for studio shows featuring live touchscreen based analysis, including support for multiple screens for“Head to Heads”, to more complex operator prepared graphics sequences such asplayer trails, linesman’s views and metrics based graphics.

RTSW press release - IMG - July 2011