Canon Virtual Camera System Enables Fans To Watch From Any 3D Angle

Canon, which manufactures cameras that are used to capture sports photography and video throughout the world, is embracing the future of sports video — a completely immersive, 3D experience.

The camera giant has announced the Free Viewpoint Video System, which will provide fans at home with the ability to view a game from multiple angles by tapping into Canon’s existing sensors and optical technologies.

“With the development of its Free Viewpoint Video System — which creates a realistic, immersive experience that gives the user a sense that they are really there — Canon has achieved a video experience that can be viewed from various angles and viewpoints, expanding the boundaries of visual expression and contributing to the development of video culture,” according to the announcement.

Free Viewpoint Video System is a network of high-resolution Canon cameras that are installed throughout a sports venue to capture the action from any number of viewing angles. The cameras are all connected to a single network and operated with software that triggers the cameras to simultaneously take video of the game. Image processing technology then combines the individual videos into 3-D spatial information, which is where the user experience takes over.

As seen in the video, users can pan around the stadium freely to experience a game from any desired point of view, including from right behind the soccer net. Canon’s system is similar to a litany of virtual reality sports programs that have recently been developed.

With Free Viewpoint Video System now in development, Canon is looking into other avenues through which it can implement the system, according to the announcement — potentially for training purposes, similar to other virtual reality programs.

Canon will exhibit Free Viewpoint Video System at the Inter BEE tech showcase in Japan in November.