Intel has installed its freeD technology at eight more NFL stadiums for the ’17 season, bringing its panoramic 360-degree video capability to a total of 11 venues. Intel’s freeD was originally installed last year with the Ravens, 49ers and Texans, with the placement at NRG Stadium allowing use of the technology in Super Bowl LI. Those three teams have been joined by the Browns, Cardinals, Chiefs, Colts, Panthers, Patriots, Redskins, and Vikings. The new set of installations, comprising one team from each of the NFL’s eight divisions, ensures that every NFL team will be seen in content generated by freeD technology during the season. The installation at U.S. Bank Stadium means that freeD video replays, which can show angles from player points of view, will also be used in Super Bowl LII. Video highlights created by Intel will be shown this season on NFL.com, the league’s official mobile app and YouTube channel and digital extensions for the individual teams. Intel freeD content will also be shown on various CBS, Fox, and ESPN game broadcasts, beginning with Fox' Panthers-49ers broadcast Sunday and the Saints-Vikings “MNF” game on ESPN. “We continue to believe that volumetric video such as this will unlock some incredible consumer and experiences,” said Intel Sports GM James Carwana. “We’re still at the crawl stage of the crawl-walk-run around this. But we will look to show fans things they have never seen before.” Each of the new team-level installations required 38 ultra HD cameras along with a set of Intel servers capable of processing up to 1 terabyte of data for each 15-to-30 second video clip. Intel and the NFL had previously confirmed in April their intent to install at freeD at additional stadiums for the ’17 season.
