Orad’s 3DPlay Enhances Turner Sports’ NBA All-Star Week Programming
Press Release
March 1st, 2010
Cable Network Deploys Orad’s Virtual Enhancement Solution for Third Consecutive Year
Orad Hi-Tec Systems today announced that Turner Sports deployed its real-time, 3D graphics solutions to place virtual graphics — both informational and promotional — throughout the Dallas skyline during the cable network’s four day NBA All-Star Game coverage earlier this month. Orad’s on-air graphics platform also provided traditional HD graphics as needed throughout the NBA All-Star Week programming.
Leveraging Orad’s 3DPlay, the network’s production team placed virtual graphics promoting advertisers, sponsors, and network programming onto objects around Cowboys Stadium. Operating in Outdoor Billboard Signage (OBS) mode, 3DPlay was deployed for all outdoor virtual enhancements. Using the same software and graphic controller, the team also created real-time, on-air graphics from within one of the on-site outside broadcast (OB) trucks. The high-quality 3D graphics were used throughout the four days of coverage, and during the 59th Annual NBA All-Star Game watched live by more than six million fans at home.
Virtual production took place outdoors nearly 20 miles from Dallas atop Rangers Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers major league baseball team. Due to snow, the virtual show planned for the NBA All-Star Game was nearly cancelled. However, the Orad graphics artist stationed on-site was able to build a snow filter into the graphic design application, which allowed the show to then go to-air. Virtual clouds were also created and then used to blend the 3D graphics into the Dallas skyline, appearing so realistic that viewers would never have suspected they weren’t real.
“Orad's highly reliable virtual enhancement solution and our on-site customer support have allowed Turner Sports to achieve stunning 3D graphics and special effects throughout this year’s NBA season,” said Avi Sharir, CEO and president of Orad Hi-Tec Systems. “The Orad 3DPlay virtual enhancement solution continues to meet Turner’s multiple requirements, and allowed the network to captivate and entertain the millions of fans watching its NBA All Star Week programming at home.”
More information about Orad’s 3DPlay virtual enhancement solution is available at www.orad.tv.
About Turner Sports
Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATour.com, and PGA.com. Turner Sports also operates NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com, and WNBA.com.
About Turner Network Television (TNT)
Turner Network Television (TNT), one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter; Raising the Bar, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben, and Jane Kaczmarek; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Trust Me, with Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh. TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, Cold Case, Law & Order, Without a Trace, ER, and Charmed; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation, and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
