IBC UNVEILS EIGHT GROUND-BREAKING ACCELERATOR MEDIA INNOV...

Breakthrough projects span 5G-enabled immersive sport experiences and live performances, anywhere cloud & edge production, digital synthetic humans & sign language accessibility, metadata-powered content targeting, and more.

Final proof of concepts showcasing the innovative solutions explored and project demonstrations will be presented on the Innovation Stage at IBC2023, 15th-18th September

IBC2023 announces the selection of the latest series of eight new projects for the acclaimed IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, supported by world-leading and new industry players from across the media, entertainment and technology world. The programme, which provides a framework for agile, fast-track and collaborative innovation in the media sector, takes on bitesize' but complex industry challenges to develop and explore innovative, hands-on solutions that address common pain points. Proof of concept (POC) demonstrations will be presented live on the Innovation Stage at IBC2023, taking place at the RAI Amsterdam from 15th-18th September.

This year's Accelerator Programme introduces some exciting new initiatives while also featuring projects building on the tremendous innovations made in previous years, says IBC Innovation Lead Mark Smith. It is great to see the array of dynamic industry pioneers coming together this year to explore the potential for transformative innovation in areas such as connectivity anywhere for remote productions with cloud and edge workflows, synthetic human avatars, immersive sport, metadata-driven content targeting, and live, 5G-enabled motion capture performance art and animation. Each year the programme brings new challenges, and we are seeing a host of household media and entertainment players and technology leaders, as well as younger start-ups stepping up to collaborate and drive forward an array of media R&D solutions.

Eight projects have been selected as a part of this year's programme, following the IBC Kickstart Day that took place at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on 7 February when prospective project Champions' and Participants' came together to present and hear pitches on the important challenges they look to tackle this year. The project Champions are media and entertainment companies looking to contribute to, experiment with and then utilise the breakthrough results from the Accelerator work, while the Participants are tech innovation vendors and suppliers who work with these brands to create and execute the POC that will be showcased at IBC this year. The 2023 projects to come out of the Kickstart Day are:

The Authenticated Data Standard aims to define a standardised data distribution package to ensure that, as programming is distributed and works its way through the entertainment landscape, content owners can maintain the original quality, messaging and intent. The project will allow them to verify and authenticate their content data and imagery and publish it to third-party sources. It will also build event-driven integrations that allow metadata to pass between systems.

Synthetic Humans for the Metaverse employs a range of leading-edge technologies and archived materials intending to generate photorealistic avatars that can be integrated in a virtual production with real guests. To animate the avatars in real time, the project team will employ body motion, cloned voice or original audio while drawing on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented and virtual reality. The project will also align with a second aim: to build a foundation for broadcasters to create virtual translators', using avatars and sign language for accessibility services and other functions.

Real-Time XR Sport Edge takes 5G XR to the edge to build on innovations in live motion capture and high-speed content delivery. The project aims to broadcast extended reality (XR) sports, including Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and augmented reality (AR) techno-sports in an immersive environment with high-end photorealistic graphics, virtual advertising, spatial audio and social interactive audio delivering the experience to 3D worlds and metaverse audiences in real time, at the lowest possible latency via virtual reality (VR) headsets, computers, mobile devices and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

Connect & Produce Anywhere intends to build a distributed edge & cloud computing system to remotely produce a live sports event. By deploying 5G for connectivity and utilising software, the project aims to make the most efficient use of resources in bandwidth-constrained locations. The aim is to detach software from hardware and deploy a distributed computing architecture between ground and cloud, exploring the benefits, challenges and the sustainable potential of such an approach.

Responsive Narrative Factory plans to deliver the right narrative for any consumer in real time via a metadata-powered content fast-track. It will demonstrate a new component-based approach to quickly and cost-effectively creating multiple versions of content from a single master to enable precision targeting of programs to different demographics or regions or groups that can be monetised for premium Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) advertisers.

5G Motion Capture for Live Performance & Animation explores using 5G to build ultra-low latency networks to support the creation of new immersive audience experiences for those present at a live performance or engaging remotely at another venue. Video illusions' will be piped from anywhere' to everywhere' over appropriate backhaul, using terrestrial or celestial Public Internet. The project also seeks to leverage 5G technology to bring joyful, interactive animated characters to children in hospital wards regardless of location.

Gallery Agnostic Live Media Production aim

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