AMD, one of the world’s largest chipmakers, revealed its Versal AI Core series processors were selected by Canon, it announced on Tuesday.
Canon picked AMD for its Free Viewpoint Video System as the latter’s solution is set to reshape viewing experiences live sporting broadcasts and webcasts with machine learning video-processing technologies.
The immersive video system leverages high-resolution cameras to broadcast footage to viewers, allowing spectators to see live action from all angles of a stadium or venue. Sporting venues are expected to deploy the solution across multiple events, AMD explained in a statement.
Its Versal AI Core technologies feature ultra-low latency computing to slash image processing time for real-time live-action camera footage along with live event monetisation, game statistics, and others.
Canon’s Versal AI Core solution also uses AI-supported edge processing to offload processing from data centres via the Tokyo, Japan-based firm’s image detection and segmentation algorithms.
Masanori Yamada, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of Imaging Group for Canon, said in a statement that its single-chip Versal solution allowed Canon’s systems to “do more in real-time than we ever envisioned possible.”
He added,
“Versal AI Core’s powerful edge-processing capabilities enable our system to handle multiple functions simultaneously so broadcasters can deliver new and immersive viewing experiences.”
Yousef Khalilollahi, Vice-President of AMD in the Asia-Pacific, explained that his firm’s addition of machine learning technologies was an “exciting first in the industry.”
He continued, adding,
“The Canon camera system really puts the viewer in the game like never before. At the heart of Canon’s cutting-edge systems is the Versal AI Core series delivering the low latency edge-processing that is key to heralding this new era in live sports broadcasts”
Canon Advances Support for the Sports Industry
The announcement comes as the multinational firm announced it would become a Worldwide Partner for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 set to take place in New Zealand from 8 October to 12 November in a bid to promote gender equality in the sport.
The event, also taking place in France from 8 September to 28 October next year for the 10th annual Men’s edition, aims to support the event with its product lineup of cameras, lenses, videorecorders, network cameras, medical equipment, lens maintenance, and others.
XR Today also spoke to AMD-Xilinx at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2022, where an exec explained his company’s processer technologies and their cutting-edge capabilities for broadcasting
Ramesh Iyer, Senior Director of Pro Audiovisual (AV), Broadcast, and Consumer for AMD told XR Today AMD-Xilinx’s field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) allowed his customers and clients to programme processors to perform specific tasks, eliminating the need to develop multiple chipsets.
AMD-Xilinx also facilitated signal processing for adaptable computing engines as well as for video compression technologies for broadcast, Pro AV, and consumer electronics to reduce latency and deliver immersive experiences while avoiding motion sickness from latency issues, he concluded.
