. . . . Look up in the sky. . it's a bird. . it's a plane. . .
. . .it's a DLJDirect BLIMP??? Do they have one?
. . .no, not really. ..but to millions of soccer fans watching ESPN this weekend, it will appear that they do. Thanks to Princeton Video Imaging, those watching the Gotham Cup soccer tournament on ESPN2 Sunday will see a DLJDirect Blimp circling slowly over the stadium, whenever wide or long range stadium shots are shown.
But for the tens of thousands at Giants stadium attending this grand event, there will be no blimp. PVII will place it into the television image using proprietary digital compositing methods, they refer to as "image insertion technology".
Now imagine this. . .
65,000 fans witness a fabulous backwards over-the-head kick for a goal . In awe, each and every one of them now have their eyes glued to the stadium Giant-Screen for the instant replay. . . .which is merely the ESPN2 broadcast ready feed.
They watch the kick with amazement, only to notice up in the corner of the screen . . . a blimp circling the stadium. . . suddenly the frenzy is hushed as 65,000 heads turn skyward to find that blimp.
ROFL. . .LOL. . .
"It's up there, I saw it. . . .where is it?. . .it was right there. .. .what happened to it? . . . what's going on here??"
What fun. . . .and that is one of the reasons I like this silly little company so much.
Rande Is
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Here is the latest news story:
Princeton Video Image to Provide Virtual Imaging in Inaugural DLJ Direct Gotham Cup On ESPN International and ESPN 2
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 1999--Princeton Video Image, Inc. (NASDAQ:PVII, www.pvi-inc.com), the leader in virtual advertising solutions for television will provide virtual imaging for the inaugural Gotham Cup soccer tournament, tonight and Sunday, July 25 at New Jersey's Giants Stadium. The teams scheduled to compete in this event are Ajax from Holland, Aston Villa from England, Fiorentina from Italy, and Panathinaikos from Greece. The tournament will be aired on ESPN International at 7 and 9:00pm ET tonight. The championship match can be seen on ESPN2, Sunday July 25 domestically.
Using its proprietary image insertion technology, PVI will place a blimp displaying DLJ Direct signage into the TV image of the sky over the stadium.
"We are excited about working with ISI on this inaugural Gotham Cup championship match," said Dennis Wilkinson President and CEO PVI. "Their usage of our proprietary image insertion technology in this international soccer event marks a firm step forward for PVI in achieving global acceptance of our virtual insertion technology."
Integrated Sports International (ISI), a subsidiary of SFX Entertainment, negotiated this partnership with PVI on behalf of its client the New York/New Jersey MetroStars who are hosting the Gotham Cup.
Princeton Video Image, Inc. has developed and is marketing a real-time video insertion system that, through patented pattern recognition technology, places computer-generated electronic images into television broadcasts of sporting events as well as other programming. These electronic images range from simple corporate names and logos to sophisticated 3-D images and animated effects. PVI has provided video insertion services for nearly 1,000 live telecasts worldwide, including broadcasts of Major League Baseball, National League Football, professional soccer, motorsports, and other live events. The Company is headquartered in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, with offices in New York City and Brussels, with licensees' offices in Mexico City and Johannesburg.
Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those relating to market acceptance, dependence on strategic partners and third party sales, contractual restraints on use of PVI's technology, a rapidly changing commercial and technological environment, competition, possible adverse regulations, need for additional financing, intellectual property rights and litigation, and other risks identified in PVI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. PVI undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Contact:
Roher Public Relations, New York
Christina Friedkin, 212/986-6668 |
