For the 2024 season, the official digital partner, JioCinema, sought the latest augmented reality and virtual studio solutions and turned to Pixotope.

Partnership with Pixotope

Siddharth Sharma, Viacom18 Sports Head – Content, Production, and Digital, explained the decision: “We partnered with Pixotope solutions for the TATA IPL 2024 to enhance the viewer experience with real-time graphics and augmented reality. Pixotope’s Chroma Keyer, user-friendly UI, seamless Unreal Engine integration, flexibility, and support were key factors.” Sharma noted that Pixotope’s integration with live sports streaming significantly contributed to a unique and immersive viewer experience.

Pixotope’s Role and Implementation

Andrew Tan, Pixotope’s Vice President APAC, commented on the partnership: “JioCinema and their service provider wTVision chose Pixotope after an extensive evaluation. We are pleased that Pixotope met JioCinema’s requirements for this important project. Our solution’s implementation across AR, virtual studios, and XR production by JioCinema demonstrated our capabilities in virtual production in critical scenarios.”

Technical Requirements and Solutions

For the TATA IPL 2024, JioCinema needed advanced storytelling tools to elevate their content. They required a good chroma keyer integrated with Unreal Engine, user-friendly software, a fast workflow, high-quality graphics, and excellent technical support. JioCinema acquired Pixotope’s AR/VS and XR solutions for their new seven-studio facility, comprising five green screen studios and two studios with LED walls. They purchased 36 Pixotope engines for virtual production, virtual studios, and set extensions.

Execution and Workflow

JioCinema used Pixotope solutions in three main phases:

1. Pre-Production Setup: Designing virtual sets, creating AR graphics, and configuring chroma keying.
2. Live Production Integration: Setting up cameras, ensuring proper chroma keying, and using the in-house control application for real-time adjustments.
3. Streaming Execution: Applying real-time graphics overlays and augmented reality elements during live shows.

This workflow ensured efficient, high-quality virtual sets, enhancing the broadcast experience for TATA IPL viewers.

Overcoming Production Challenges

To address potential production challenges, Pixotope conducted training sessions for JioCinema and wTVision before the event. This proactive approach ensured stakeholders were familiar with the solutions, minimizing production issues. Pixotope’s quick response time, support, and on-site experts guaranteed any issues were promptly resolved.

Additional Benefits and Cost Savings

Pixotope’s Sales Director – SAARC, Saahil Setia, highlighted the added value: “Pixotope provided industry-leading, user-friendly storytelling tools, enabling JioCinema to quickly adapt and create eye-catching visuals. Collaboration with wTVision was instrumental in executing the project. This partnership and the immersive graphics, interactive AR, and photorealistic visuals achieved a remarkable viewer experience.”

Pixotope’s solutions not only helped JioCinema achieve high-quality virtual sets but also offered versatile licensing, resulting in significant cost savings. The use of Pixotope solutions positively impacted TATA IPL viewers, providing a dynamic, interactive, and extended viewing experience.