Just last week, DIRECTV was talking up plans to stream Masters golf in 4K Ultra HD next month. However, it turns out that Sony Electronics has been streaming live soccer in 4K since earlier this year.
The company just announced that it had completed successful streaming trials of live 4K sporting events, including the first live North American soccer broadcast in 4K by Univision Deportes.
Sony used the NeuLion Digital Platform to stream live and in 4K and deliver over-the-top (OTT) to Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs, such as the XBR-X850D and the XBR-X930D/XBR-X940D series. The 4K TVs included in the trial have an integrated NeuLion 4K Streaming SDK. Although the trial was exclusive to select audiences in Florida, New York and California, Sony, plans to continue streaming trials throughout the summer.
"Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs are the logical choice for these 4K events because with our experience in 4K HDR shooting, editing, recording, storage, playback, and transmission, we understand 4K display technology like no other company," said Sunil Nayyar, Sony's director of product marketing, TV and projectors for North America. "These 4K live streaming tests reveal that the streaming and broadcast of live 4K sports is on its way to consumers in the near future. And Sony's line-up of 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs are ready today."
Univision Deportes, the number one Spanish-language sports network, produced the first live North American soccer event in 4K. The match between Mexico's National Team and Senegal took place at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida, on February 10. According to Sony, over 20 4K HDC-4300 cameras were used to capture this event. It was then streamed live exclusively to Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs with the NeuLion 4K Streaming SDK integrated. NeuLion and NEP partnered with Univision Deportes to deliver the live 4K stream.
"What makes 4K so exciting is how it enhances the experience for our fans and how we can boost their passion for our sports in a truly immersive way," said Olek Loewenstein, senior VP of strategy and operations for Univision Deportes. "Soccer matches are won and lost with lots of detail on the field of play, and with 4K, the fans are closer than ever to the insider experience. The popularity of our Univision Deportes App reveals that our fans are eager for more sports and we are the leader in the soccer fan experience. With the proliferation of 4K-capable devices and content, we are excited to take this first step to deliver a soccer match in 4K with NeuLion and Sony."
Univision Deportes has additional 4K events in the works, including the final of the Copa America Centerio, which is scheduled for June 26 at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
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