Vizrt Virtual Presenter Places Talent Among The Action

Check out the following article that was published on TVNewsCheck earlier today about Virtual Presenter, Vizrt’s solution that allows users to place their talent on the field with the players during sports analysis:

Similar to a basketball or football coach hopping onto the field or court during a practice to position players for specific plays, Vizrt is giving on-air broadcast talent an opportunity to show viewers at home how important plays unfold from right in the middle of the action.

The broadcast graphics company unveiled its Virtual Presenter in May on pay TV channel Canal+ in Spain. While analyzing plays from the UEFA Champions League game between FC Bayern and FC Barcelona, Julio Maldonado appeared to be right in the middle of the field. I have no idea what he’s saying.

Virtual Presenter is part of Viz Libero, Vizrt’s sports production solution. Using a pre-produced clip, Viz Engine, the company’s real-time graphics and video solution, takes that clip and combines it live with a greenroom recording of the talent for on-air playout. Camera tracking technology locks onto the talent and keeps the sports scene glued to the field during the entirety of the clip. Think of the live sports action — in this case, a soccer match — as a virtual set design that talent can seamlessly walk around on.

Vizrt shows the workflow in this video:

A Vizrt spokesperson said no U.S. customers are using Virtual Presenter, but I could definitely see ESPN, Fox Sports 1 or any of the major networks that produce live NFL games using it to show everything from run patterns to wide receiver crossing routes.

You can view the article on TVNewsCheck here.

Vizrt unveils Virtual SloMo solution at IBC 2012

Vizrt Ltd. unveiled for the first time a solution to synthesize high-speed sports footage from standard-rate TV cameras. The image-based solution is running within Libero Highlight, Vizrt’s best-of-breed 3D sports analysis system. The Virtual SloMo effect can be applied to any available television camera feed and, hence, offers completely new flexibility to create high-speed, high-quality footage for sports replay and analysis, not only from your OB van, but also from your studio environment.

Other highlights from this year’s IBC show were:

• 5 new sports
• File-based workflow
• Integration with GrassValley’s K2 server and replay system
• New effects for Libero Highlight

5 new sports: Tennis, Cricket and more…

This year, LiberoVision expands their sports portfolio significantly by doubling the numbers of sports available to produce the well-known 3D analysis clips and camera flights. Beside the former sports

football/soccer, American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, rugby and handball, Libero Highlight can now be used additionally for tennis, cricket, volleyball, beach volleyball, field hockey, Australian and Canadian football.

File-based workflow

The upcoming Libero Highlight version will ease the studio integration, as both ingest and output can now be performed via baseband video (SDI) or file transfer. Libero Highlight operators can choose video files

from a media asset management system (MAM) like Viz Media Engine, directly load them into Libero Highlight and create stunning highlight clips including unique 3D effects. This allows for an easy

integration of Libero Highlight into any tapeless studio environment.

Grass Valley K2 integration

At the same time, the integration of Libero Highlight with Grass Valley’s K2 Summit media server and K2 Dyno replay system was demoed for the first time at IBC. The full integration of the two systems allows

generating the 3D analysis clips both in remote and studio productions, even if only a multi-lateral feed is available from an event.

Enhanced Virtual Run and other new effects

Besides new sports and more versatile production integration, the new Libero Highlight contains a number of new annotation effects: The Virtual Run, a unique eye-catching effect that allows letting key

players run along their upcoming path in a 3D freeze frame, has been a big hit at this summer’s major sports events and aroused great feedback among the viewers. The new Libero Highlight will feature

interesting extensions with a strobe effect and a moveable run option. The latter is especially beneficial for what-if analysis to compare actual and ideal running paths. Other new functions include a

player grow and player dissolve effect. The zone focus brings a dynamically changeable focus to sports analysis mimicking altering the depth-of-field during a replay, thus focusing the viewers’ attention to a specific group of players. The 3D wall effect places a textured wall at any location on the playing field allowing for highlighting screens in Basketball, for example.

About Vizrt:

Vizrt offers a new vision for content creation and delivery with an end-to-end solution from ingest to visualization. Our solution combines Vizrt’s true 2D/3D graphics tools with Curious Software’s World

Maps and Ardendo’s Asset Management. Running on non proprietary software, the combination of these unique cutting edge products ensures a seamless workflow from conception to multi-format distribution.

Vizrt’s product suite is used by the world’s leading broadcasters including: CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, TV Today, CCTV and NHK. Also, many world-class production houses and corporate

institutions, including both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, utilize Vizrt solutions.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154. For further information please refer to www.vizrt.com

Martin Burkhalter / CEO / +41 22 365 75 01 / MBurkhalter@vizrt.com

Ofra Brown / CFO / +47 5351 8040 / OBrown@vizrt.com

Håvard Myklebust / EVP Products & Marketing / +4791845602 / HMyklebust@vizrt.com

 

LiberoVision 3D Sports Analysis Tools Enhance Live EURO 2012 Coverage by Broadcasters Worldwide

New LiberoVision Highlight 5.0 to Provide Stunning 3D Replays 

Bergen, Norway, Vizrt Ltd. (Oslo Main List: VIZ)

Right in time for the kick-off of one of the highest profile sport events in the world, the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2012), LiberoVision, a Vizrt company, launched version 5.0 of its flagship product, Libero Highlight. As over 100 million viewers worldwide watch 16 European nations vying for the title, various broadcasters around the globe are utilizing LiberoVision’s 3D sport analysis software to break down the game’s key moments.

Among the prominent broadcast networks that are covering EURO 2012 with Libero Highlight: ZDF Germany, TV2 Denmark, TV2 Norway, Globosat Brazil, Medcom Panama, TSN Canada, and TVP Poland.  During their live coverage, these broadcasters and others will use Libero Highlight 5.0—the latest version of LiberoVision’s powerful 3D virtual replay system.

Sensational 3D replays

Libero Highlight provides realistic 3D virtual replays and advanced branded virtual graphics that help viewers understand pivotal game action and controversial plays.  Utilizing live camera signals and video clips captured by any video server system, Libero Highlight’s interactive toolbox lets sports commentators replay the action and apply 3D effects and telestration.

Initiated by a 3D camera flight, this exclusive image processing technology takes the viewers to vantage points that cameras never captured, such as a referee or linesmen view, on the goal line, or from a bird’s eye perspective. Libero Highlight 5.0, released June 1, 2012, adds the following features and capabilities:

§  Virtual run, which visualizes where and how one player may run in a given play while the remainder of the players are held in a freeze frame

§  Panorama Stitch, which brings all parts of a stadium together for a full, panoramic, 3D stadium virtual view

§  Vizrt export to design customized graphics and interactively playout clips via Sports Hub

§  3D Offside Blade for a clearer separation of offside players

§  Greyboard to highlight selected players in a vivid color on top of a greyed field

§  iPad control of the Libero Telestrator

§  Editable graphics playlist to quickly post process clips

§  Faster operation and enhanced annotation features

The new features are available not only for football but also for: American football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, rugby, and handball. The coming version,Highlight 5.1, will incorporate volleyball and beach volleyball.  Vizrt is already seeing enthusiasm from broadcasters that intend to use Libero Highlight for the upcoming Summer Olympics as well as other major sporting events.

For a demonstration of Libero Highlight, Version 5.0, please click on:

http://www.vizrt.com/news/article15360.ece

Flexible operation

The broadcasters using Libero Highlight for EURO 2012 coverage are all taking advantage of its flexibility. Some position it at the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Warsaw, while others are using it from the studio headquarters in their home countries using live camera feeds backhauled from the EURO 2012 stadiums.  Some commentators operate it interactively from its intuitive user interface; others control it via an Apple iPad using Viz Anchor, other Vizrt control software, or LiberoVision’s iPad Telestrator with dynamic on-set display on touchscreen monitors and videowalls.

For example, German broadcaster ZDF is operating the Libero Highlight 5.0 from IBC in Warsaw, Poland. Analysis clips are be transferred back to their open-air public viewing studio on the Usedom Island in Germany.  ZDF is using the Vizrt Sports Hub in Usedom to ensure tight integration with the Vizrt live graphics workflow at its network facility. The anchors playout and telestrate the highlight clips from the games interactively using a touchscreen and an iPad, both running on Sports Hub.   TV2 in Norway is using Sports Hub and Highlight 5.0 from its Norwegian studio.  TV2 in Denmark is utilizing Highlight 5.0 from its EURO studio on a houseboat in Copenhagen. Sports commentators there control Highlight 5.0 using an iPad to enhance live game analysis.

Winning viewers for televised sports

“Highlight 5.0 was highly anticipated by broadcasters producing live coverage of EURO 2012,” said Petter Ole Jakobsen, chief technical officer for Vizrt.  “In covering such a popular event, broadcasters know they must employ state-of-the-art tools and techniques to ensure a visually dynamic production. What’s remarkable is how each of these EURO 2012 broadcasters will be using the same product in such different ways. This is a testament to Highlight 5.0’s versatility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.”

Stephan Würmlin Stadler, LiberoVision’s CEO added: “Libero Highlight 5.0 reflects once again LiberoVision’s innovative spirit. Broadcasters are keen to air novelties like the Virtual Run, Panorama Stitch, and utilizing the Sports Hub during this summer’s sports blockbusters.”

About Vizrt:

Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry and media houses – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools. Vizrt’s products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, Network 18, TV Today, CCTV, NHK, The Globe and Mail, Times Online, The Telegraph, and Welt Online.  Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.

Press contacts:

Martin Burkhalter	Ofra Brown	Håvard Myklebust
President & CEO	CFO	Executive VP Products and Marketing
+41 22 365 75 01	+47 5351 8040	+47  918 45 602
mbu@vizrt.com	ofra@vizrt.com	hmyklebust@vizrt.com

Vizrt and LiberoVision to Demo Fastest Sports Analysis Tool to Date at Sportel Monaco 2011

Bergen, Norway, October 6, 2011 Vizrt Ltd. (Frankfurt Prime Standard, Oslo Main List: VIZ)

Hailed as a success at IBC in Amsterdam this September, Vizrt and LiberoVision will demonstrate a sports analysis tool with unparalled speed – the Libero Playbook – at the Sportel convention in Monaco (Stand AO5). From October 10th to 13th, LiberoVision will showcase its new Libero Playbook, an ultra-fast version of Libero Highlight, offering 3D game analysis in less than 60 seconds.

Analyze the action as the game unfolds
Depending upon setup, in-game analysis can go live, on-air in as little as 30 seconds. LiberoVision’s powerful 3D annotations work in the same way as Libero Highlight, seamlessly combining live camera feeds. All major annotations are included, such as arrows, areas, player marks, etc.

”Instead of a typical replay, Libero Playbook provides its users with the option of telling the viewer at home exactly why a player’s movement disrupted his team’s entire offensive – or why a tiny movement of the ball prevented his defense from conceeding,” said Stephan Würmling Stadler, CEO at LiberoVision. “The product is our direct response to a huge demand in the market. We feel confident that both new and existing customers will appreciate the extra dimension it adds to in-game analysis.”

Key Features of Libero Playbook:
· In-game 3D replays
· Typical turnaround time of 30-60 seconds
· Fast playbook analysis
· Powerful 3D annotations

All LiberoVision products come as one-box-solutions for easy integration into a production environment. No additional infrastructure is required inside the stadium.

Tighter Integration with Vizrt Workflow
In addition to the new Playbook features, LiberoVision’s incorporation into the Vizrt workflow has been greatly enhanced. Through its Viz Engine real-time renderer and Viz Trio CG software, Vizrt already supports bringing Libero Highlight clips into a Vizrt workflow. With Viz Anchor, on-air talent can start sports analysis from an iPad. And Vizrt now offers an interactive sports studio application, enabling the Viz Engine renderer to smoothly interact with Libero Highlight clips. Analysts and presenters can interact with the Libero clips using a touch screen, for example showing arrows on the field, highlighting certain players, and describing their movement, all in perspective and tied to the field.

With this product integration, sportscasters can deliver Libero clips — with defined starts/stops and annotations—into the Vizrt workflow. They can then control the playback of the clips from any Vizrt control software and play it out, embedded in graphics, through the Viz Engine. Metadata, such as short text, can be exported and then rendered by Viz Engine. LiberoVision analysis can reach videowalls, virtual sets and can be distributed to mobile devices by using the device-optimized delivery of video to all devices.

About LiberoVision
Fully acquired by Vizrt, LiberoVision provides integrated hardware and software products to generate unique 3D imagery for several types of sports broadcasts. LiberoVision’s Emmy nominated technology is available for football, American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, rugby, and handball. Broadcasters around the world such as ESPN, NBC, Univision, ZDF, Canal+, and Globosat use LiberoVision to enhance their sport analysis.

About Vizrt:
Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry and media houses – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools. Vizrt’s products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, Network 18, TV Today, CCTV, NHK, The Globe and Mail, Times Online, The Telegraph, and Welt Online. Furthermore, many world-class production houses and corporate institutions such as the Stock Exchanges in New York and London use Vizrt systems.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.

Press contacts:
Martin Burkhalter
President & CEO
+41 22 365 75 01
mbu@vizrt.com

Ofra Brown
CFO
+47 5351 8040
ofra@vizrt.com

Håvard Myklebust
Executive VP Marketing
+47 918 45 602
hmyklebust@vizrt.com

Vizrt and LiberoVision to Demonstrate Fastest Sports Analysis Tool To Date at IBC 2011

Bergen, Norway, Vizrt Ltd. (Frankfurt Prime Standard, Oslo Main List: VIZ)

Vizrt and LiberoVision announce the launch of a sports analysis tool with unparalled speed – the Libero Playbook – at the IBC 2011 convention in Amsterdam (Hall 2, Stand A31). From September 9th to 14th, LiberoVision will showcase its new Libero Playbook, an ultra-fast version of Libero Highlight, offering 3D game analysis in less than 60 seconds.

Analyze the action as the game unfolds
Depending upon setup, in-game analysis can go live, on-air in as little as 30 seconds. LiberoVision’s powerful 3D annotations work in the same way as Libero Highlight, seamlessly combining live camera feeds. All major annotations are included, such as arrows, areas, player marks, etc.

“Instead of a typical replay, Libero Playbook provides its users with the option of telling the viewer at home exactly why a player’s movement disrupted his team’s entire offensive – or why a tiny movement of the ball prevented his defense from conceeding,” said Stephan Würmling Stadler, CEO at LiberoVision. “The product is our direct response to a huge demand in the market. We feel confident that both new and existing customers will appreciate the extra dimension it adds to in-game analysis.”

Key Features of Libero Playbook:
· In-game 3D replays
· Typical turnaround time of 30-60 seconds
· Fast playbook analysis
· Powerful 3D annotations

All LiberoVision products come as one-box-solutions for easy integration into a production environment. No additional infrastructure is required inside the stadium.

Tighter Integration with the Vizrt workflow
In addition to the new Playbook features, LiberoVision’s incorporation into the Vizrt workflow will reach new levels in Amsterdam. Through its Viz Engine real-time renderer and Viz Trio CG software, Vizrt already supports bringing Libero Highlight clips into a Vizrt workflow. With Viz Anchor, on-air talent can start sports analysis from an iPad. And as of September 2011, Vizrt will also offer an interactive sports studio application enabling the Viz Engine renderer to smoothly interact with Libero Highlight clips. Analysts and presenters can interact with the Libero clips using a touch screen, for example showing arrows on the field, highlighting certain players, and describing their movement, all in perspective and tied to the field.

With this product integration, sportscasters can deliver Libero clips — with defined starts/stops and annotations—into the Vizrt workflow. They can then control the playback of the clips from any Vizrt control software and play it out, embedded in graphics, through the Viz Engine. Metadata, such as short text, can be exported and then rendered by Viz Engine. LiberoVision analysis can reach videowalls, virtual sets and can be distributed to mobile devices by using the device-optimized delivery of video to all devices.

About LiberoVision
Fully acquired by Vizrt, LiberoVision provides integrated hardware and software products to generate unique 3D imagery for several types of sports broadcasts. LiberoVision’s Emmy nominated technology is available for football, American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, rugby, and handball. Broadcasters around the world such as ESPN, NBC, Univision, ZDF, Canal+, and Globosat use LiberoVision to enhance their sport analysis.

About Vizrt:
Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry and media houses – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools. Vizrt’s products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, Network 18, TV Today, CCTV, NHK, The Globe and Mail, Times Online, The Telegraph, and Welt Online. Furthermore, many world-class production houses and corporate institutions such as the Stock Exchanges in New York and London use Vizrt systems.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.

Press contacts:
Martin Burkhalter
President & CEO
+41 22 365 75 01
mbu@vizrt.com

Ofra Brown
CFO
+47 5351 8040
ofra@vizrt.com

SCHWARZ Financial Communication
Frank Schwarz
+49 611 1745 398 11
schwarz@schwarzfinancial.com

Vizrt and LiberoVision Analysis Tools Take Center Stage at 2011 Stanley Cup Final

Bergen/Zürich, Norway/Switzerland, June 14, Vizrt Ltd. (Oslo Main List: VIZ)

As the hockey world fixes its eyes on the final act of the NHL season – the Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks – the Zürich-based sports analysis company LiberoVision plays an important role in illustrating to viewers the many why’s and how’s tied to player decisions.

Now fully part of the Vizrt workflow and supporting seven different sports, including soccer, American football and ice hockey, the award-winning Libero Highlight one-box solution allows broadcasters to produce realistic 3D replays without the need for additional infrastructure.

“Based on nothing more than your existing TV images, Libero Highlight instantly grabs the viewer’s attention and lifts sports analysis to a whole new level,” says Julia Vogel, Sales and Marketing Director at LiberoVision. “LiberoVision’s patented image processing technology instantly transforms the camera feeds into realistic 3D representations that allow viewers to essentially fly over the playing field to review key moments in the action from the best possible perspectives.”

In the US, NBC Sports and VERSUS, both members of the NBC Sports Group, are using Libero Highlight for 3D replay analysis during the best-of-seven games final. In Canada, The Sports Network (TSN) is using Libero Highlight’s interface to visualize tactical aspects of the game. TSN is Canada’s leading, English-language sports TV channel.

“LiberoVision is a great tool that better allows us to tell the story of the event,” says Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and VERSUS. “It provides a unique, tactical perspective that helps us take the audience inside the glass and gives them the best seat in the house.”

VERSUS has been using Libero Highlight for live, on-air replay analysis of its games since the 2010 NHL playoffs. Before this year’s Stanley Cup Final, NBC featured Libero Highlight during its 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games hockey coverage and for the 2010 NHL playoffs. TSN are primarily using Libero Highlight for post-game analysis and various shows tied to the Stanley Cup final.

”LiberoVision’s realistic 3D support for analyzing key moments of the game, changing from one camera to another while always keeping the essential players clearly visible, is a great example of how broadcasters can now highlight game-changing decisions better than ever before,” says Paul Graham, VP and Executive Producer, TSN.

Libero Highlight has already been well received by broadcasters around the world. The software has been used at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, other high-profile soccer events, for NFL and NCAA football, Major League Baseball, NHL hockey games, as well as NBA and NCAA basketball coverage.

About LiberoVision
Now fully acquired by Vizrt, LiberoVision’s 3D sports analysis and replay system has been integrated into Vizrt’s broadcast graphics and media asset management (MAM) workflow. With this integration, sportscasters can deliver their Libero Highlight clips— with defined starts/stops and annotations—into the Vizrt workflow. They can then control the playback of the clips from an Apple iPad using Viz Anchor or any other Vizrt control software and play it out through the Viz Engine embedded in graphics. It’s also possible to export metadata, such as short text, which is rendered by Viz Engine, Vizrt’s real-time rendering engine. This also means that the LiberoVision analysis can reach videowalls, virtual sets and that it is available for distribution to mobile devices by using the device optimized delivery of video to all devices.

About Vizrt
Vizrt has signed a definitive share purchase agreement in LiberoVision, and now offers sports analysis tools as a stand-alone product, or in combination with our popular content production tools. Our products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: ESPN, ABC, MLB, YES Network, Canal+, Sky News, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, ZDF, Antena3, and FC Barcelona.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.
Press contacts:
Martin Burkhalter
President & CEO
+41 22 365 75 01
mbu@vizrt.com

Ofra Brown
CFO
+47 5351 8040
ofra@vizrt.com

SCHWARZ Financial Communication
Frank Schwarz
+49 611 1745 398 11
schwarz@schwarzfinancial.com

Vizrt Acquires LiberoVision AG

Oslo, Norway, Vizrt Ltd. (Oslo Main List: VIZ)

Vizrt, a leading provider of content production tools for the digital media industry, announced today that it has entered into a terms sheet with Swiss company LiberoVision AG, a leader in the field of virtual sports enhancements.

According to the proposed terms sheet, Vizrt Ltd. shall purchase all of the issued and outstanding share capital of LiberoVision in three installments: 60% upon signing of the definitive agreement, 20% upon approval of the financial statements of LiberoVision for the year 2011 and 20% upon approval of the financial statements of LiberoVision for the year 2012.

The consideration for the first 60% of the issued share capital of LiberoVision shall be CHF 6 million (approx. USD 6.12 million) and may be increased by an additional 1 CHF million (approx. USD 1.02 million) should the EBIT for the year 2010 of LiberoVision exceed CHF 1 million.

The consideration for each of the additional 20% of the issued share capital of LiberoVision shall be calculated as 20% of ten times the EBIT for the applicable fiscal year.

All installments shall consist of 80% cash and 20% Vizrt Ltd. shares. As part of the transaction the founders of LiberoVision are committed to continue their employment with LiberoVision for a period of at least two years.
The transaction is subject to a financial and legal due diligence to Vizrt’s satisfaction and the parties reaching a definitive agreement.

Martin Burkhalter, Chief Executive Officer of Vizrt said: “LiberoVision brings to Vizrt best of class additional capabilities to enhance sports broadcasts. Their products allow for live on-air review and analysis of events on the field, also from points of view not captured by cameras, a large and growing market. In creating a seemingly 3D environment for normal 2D broadcasts, this type of analysis provides yet another compelling way to tell a story, a key driver behind all our BG products. Efficiency, another key component, is provided in that LiberoVision’s technology does not require any additional in-stadium infrastructure.”

“It is this ability to provide broadcasters with great additional functionality that makes such a strong case to content owners. It has always been our strategy to help clients increase the economic value of their digital assets and LiberoVision fits seamlessly with this strategy. Integration of both systems will allow us to take the combined offering to our existing customers and attract new ones.”

Dr. Stephan Würmlin Stadler, CEO for LiberoVision AG, stated, “Many of our clients who are already using Vizrt systems have indicated they would like to see the two systems more closely integrated. Combining our companies therefore seemed to most logical way forward.”

“We bring to the table a technology that differs greatly from other providers in that other systems produce results that clearly look like virtual animations, like avatars. With our virtual instant replay technology, on the other hand, you know that the player is Lionel Messi, it feels like you are there on the field. That realism is due to LiberoVision’s patented image processing technology that transforms the camera feeds into 3D representations. Although certain great and complex technologies can achieve this in a way that is pixel perfect, it takes two days to do so. In our markets, no one is interested in two days. We can do it instantly.

“We see great opportunities in joining forces with Vizrt, as it will allow both organsiations to expand their product offering to a large and growing customer base. We at LiberoVision are very excited to pursue these opportunities as part of the Vizrt organisation, which has proven to be commercially very successful and, like us, is very driven by innovation, quality and customer requirements.”

LiberoVision currently offers two product lines. Libero Highlight provides realistic 3D replays that are indistinguishable from images produced by on-site television cameras. It enables the broadcaster to move the viewer‘s perspective to areas not covered by the in-stadium cameras, such as over-the-shoulder of the quarterback.

Libero Offside was developed for instant offside analysis during soccer games. It is a dedicated application aimed at resolving offsides disputes during soccer games.

About LiberoVision:
LiberoVision is the global leader for virtual sports enhancements. Based on existing TV images only, Libero Highlight and Libero Offside generate the perfect perspective for analyzing interesting or controversial scenes. The vision is to provide sports fans with unlimited insights into sport games. LiberoVision’s Emmy nominated technology is available for football, American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, and rugby. Broadcasters around the world such as ESPN, NBC, BBC, ZDF, Sky Italia, or Televisa use LiberoVision to enhance their sport analysis. The company was founded 2006 as a spin-off of the ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, which counts Einstein as one of its alumni. More information at http://www.liberovision.com.

About Vizrt:
Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools. Vizrt’s latest addition to its portfolio is Adactus’ software platform enabling delivery and presentation of adapted multimedia content for mobile terminals, such as smart phones, tablet PCs and smart TVs. Vizrt’s product suite is used by the world’s leading broadcasters, publishing houses and telecom operators, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky, ITN, ZDF, Star TV, Network 18, TV Today, CCTV, NHK, The Globe and Mail, The Telegraph, Welt Online, Etisalat and Telia Sonera. Furthermore, many world-class production houses and institutions, including both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, utilize Vizrt solutions. More information at http://www.vizrt.com
Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.

Investors and media contacts:

Martin Burkhalter
CEO
+41 22 365 7501
mburkhalter@vizrt.com

Ofra Brown
CFO
+47 5351 8040
ofra@vizrt.com

SCHWARZ Financial Communication
Frank Schwarz
+49 611 1745 398 11
schwarz@schwarzfinancial.com

Vizrt Partners with LiberoVision for 3D Virtual Sports Replay Solution

Bergen, Norway, Vizrt Ltd. (Oslo Main List: VIZ)

Vizrt (Hall 2, Stand B10), http://www.vizrt.com, has announced a new partnership with Zurich-based LiberoVision, www.liberovision.com, (Hall 2, Stand C19), a leading global developer of 3D virtual sports enhancements. LiberoVision is integrating its dedicated Libero rendering engine software with Vizrt’s range of content production software. LiberoVision is well known within the sports broadcast community for its Emmy-nominated 3D technology for sports analysis and virtual replays. Customers include ESPN, NBC, BBC, ZDF, Sky Italia and Televisa.

According to LiberoVision CEO, Stephan Würmlin Stadler, many of LiberoVision’s customers are also Vizrt customers, and they were looking for more integration between the two systems. “Our clients are very happy with their Vizrt systems and the features they provide,” explained Würmlin Stadler. “They like the configurability of the Viz Engine renderer and the graphic look and feel of the different software modules. We thought it would be a win/win to bring our state-of-the-art sports enhancement technology together with the customization and interaction that Vizrt products provide. Clients wish to put their own computer-generated graphics and annotations over the imagery created with our rendering system to have their own look and feel. With this partnership, we’re combining the technology our clients want and enabling them to use their experience with Vizrt and LiberoVision to the fullest. We foresee a variety of different exploitations of how our products could work together. We’re very excited about the expanded creativity this will generate for our combined clientele.“

LiberoVision will showcase its Libero Highlight within the Vizrt booth at IBC 2010. Libero Highlight provides realistic 3D replays that are indistinguishable from the images produced by the on-site television cameras. It enables the broadcaster to move the viewer‘s perspective to areas not covered by the in-stadium cameras, such as over-the-shoulder of the quarterback or the birdseye view showing the entire field. The software combines 3D replays with dynamic telestration for live game analysis. It does not require any additional infrastructure in the stadium, making it suitable for both remote productions and for fully-featured studio applications. http://www.liberovision.com/?t=pro_highlight

At IBC, LiberoVision will introduce its new Libero Offside for instant offsides 3D analysis during soccer games. It‘s a dedicated application aimed at resolving offsides disputes during soccer games. “The key feature is that it’s an instant replay tool,” said Würmlin Stadler. “Within a couple of seconds, Libero Offside creates a new perspective. Viewers can see the linesman’s view at the exact moment the player makes the kick.”

http://www.liberovision.com/?t=pro_offside

The key difference between LiberoVision’s virtual instant replay systems and others is its realism, said Würmlin Stadler. “Other systems look like virtual animation. When you transform a great player into a virtual player, he comes out looking like an avatar. With our technology, you know that player is Lionel Messi. You feel like you’re standing on the field with the player or behind the goal post.”

That realism is attributable to LiberoVision’s patented image processing technology that transforms the camera feeds into 3D representation. Sports involves highly complex, moving imagery. The LiberoVision system enables the broadcaster to take those images in 3D form and move them anywhere within the scene as if a 3D camera were capturing it. “Initially, the computer doesn’t know where the camera is, where the players are or where the stand is. Our software answers those questions and fuses the data together into a 3D model instantly. Most great technology can do this in a way that’s pixel perfect, but it takes two days. No one’s interested in two days. We can do it instantly.”

Martin Burkhalter, CEO of Vizrt, commented: “This is a very promising partnership, and we’re excited to showcase the latest LiberoVision products at our IBC booth. The partnership between the two companies represents a great opportunity for Vizrt’s extensive customer base to further enhance their sports coverage.”

Video examples of LiberoVision technology in action can be viewed by clicking on the following links:

http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2010/06/this-week-on-espn%E2%80%99s-2010-fifa-world-cup/

About LiberoVision:

LiberoVision is the global leader for 3D virtual sports enhancements. Based on existing TV images only, Libero Highlight and Libero Offside generate the perfect perspective for analyzing interesting or controversial scenes. The vision is to provide sports fans with unlimited insights into sport games.

LiberoVision’s Emmy nominated technology is available for football, American football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, and rugby. Broadcasters around the world such as ESPN, NBC, BBC, ZDF, Sky Italia, or Televisa use LiberoVision to enhance their sport analysis.

The company has been founded 2006 as a spin-off of the ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

About Vizrt:

Vizrt provides real-time 3D graphics and asset management tools for the broadcast industry – from award-winning animations & maps to online publishing tools.

Vizrt’s products are used by the world’s leading broadcasters and publishing houses, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, the BBC, BSkyB, ITN, Tele5, laSexta, ETB, TV3, Antena3 and FC Barcelona, The Globe and Mail, Times Online, The Telegraph, and Welt Online. Furthermore, many world-class production houses and corporate institutions such as the Stock Exchanges in New York and London use Vizrt systems.

Vizrt is a public company traded on the Oslo Main List: VIZ, ISIN: IL0010838154.

Press contacts:
Martin Burkhalter
CEO
+41 22 365 7501
mburkhalter@vizrt.com

Ofra Brown
CFO
+47 5351 8040
ofra@vizrt.com

SCHWARZ Financial Communication
Frank Schwarz
+49 611 1745 398 11
schwarz@schwarzfinancial.com