FOX Sports introduces 'FOX 3D' virtual replays

by FOX Sports

Updated: February 15, 2007, 12:03 AM EST

FOX Sports broadcast its first NASCAR race in 2001 and immediately impressed both fans and critics with technological production advancements aimed at educating and entertaining viewers. Innovations such as the scrolling ticker across the top of the screen, identification pointers spotting drivers racing within a pack and the celebrated "Crank it Up" audio segments have brought fans closer to the action and pushed the industry forward. This season, NASCAR on FOX takes another step forward in this domain with the introduction of "FOX 3D" virtual replays that have the ability to illustrate on-track incidents in a manner never before possible. Even better, 3D glasses are not needed.

First demonstrated during Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout broadcast, FOX 3D is able to present computer-generated visualizations from an infinite number of vantage points created from real-time data collected from each car on the track. These visualizations take on a look similar to sophisticated NASCAR video games popular with many of NASCAR's younger fans and are able to augment FOX Sports' video replays of action taking place on the track.

"What we've always tried to do is translate the complexities of this sport in a way that a first time viewer can understand and get excited about NASCAR as much as a hard core fan," said FOX Sports Television Group Chairman David Hill. "FOX 3D is a further step in that direction."

Created by Sportvision, FOX3D's groundbreaking broadcast effects combine highly detailed three-dimensional renderings of each track on the circuit using aerial surveys and autocad models, as well as three-dimensional renderings of all 43 cars and their respective paint schemes. These virtual models join with specialized Global Positioning System (GPS) units that are installed in every Nextel Cup car. These GPS units collect information that is updated five times a second and are able to track speed, the application of a brake or accelerator, and determine the position of each car to within two centimeters. The end result is the ability to present instant virtual recreations, from an infinite number of vantage points, of any on-track action, at any point during the race. This allows FOX Sports to trace the impetus of on-track incidents like never before.

FOX SPORTS    

As America’s top-rated network for sports for the 10^th-straight year (1997-2006), FOX Sports boasts rights agreements with each of the nation’s highest-rated sports. FOX Sports is the exclusive national over-the-air television rights holder of the Cotton Bowl; Major League Baseball, including the All-Star Game, alternating League Championship Series and World Series (2007-2013); the National Football League’s NFC package, including the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowls XLII and XLV (2006-2011); and NASCAR’s NEXTEL Cup racing from February through May, including the Daytona 500 (2007-2014). In January, FOX Sports began its exclusive coverage of Bowl Championship Series, featuring the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, FedEx Orange Bowl and Allstate Sugar Bowl from 2007 through 2010, and the new BCS National Championship Game from 2007 through 2009.  Since its inception in 1994, FOX Sports has earned 68 Emmy Awards for production excellence. David Hill and Ed Goren are the Executive Producers of FOX Sports.