Latin America. EVS launched XtraMotion, a cloud-based on-demand service that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to transform any video content into super slow-motion replays.
XtraMotion has been developed to help broadcasters improve the viewing experience by providing new super slow motion capabilities in an efficient and cost-effective manner. While native super-slow motion fonts (sources that have been captured at 120fps or higher) are amazing for storytelling, they can't be deployed in all environments.
Usually, most point-of-view cameras are not capable of producing videos in super slow motion. In addition, the complete chain of capture in super slow motion represents a certain cost in the infrastructure. Therefore, productions must carefully select which of the cameras, if any, will be captured with high frame rate.
"The main driver of XtraMotion is very simple: generating great-looking images in super slow motion with very little airtime and frictionless operations," said Christophe Messa, EVS product manager.
Now, with XtraMotion, productions benefit from super slow motion at virtually every angle of the camera, as the high frame rate is created on demand rather than natively.
Based on advanced machine learning algorithms developed by EVS's team of experts, the process works for any production format, from 1080i to UHD/HDR, and any original frame rate, transforming a 60fps video into a very fluid 180fps video, as well as a native 180fps video into a 540fps video. It also works on posts and archived content.
XtraMotion was first evaluated by FOX Sports at Super Bowl LIV last year, to convert standard frame rate clips from specialized cameras into high-frame rate footage. Since then, it has been used in other productions, including the MLB World Series in Arlington, Texas, in November 2020, and more regularly for live coverage of the NFL, NCAA College Basketball and NASCAR. The end of this successful trial period marks the official launch of XtraMotion, with FOX Sports revealing that the service has become an integral part of their productions.
