PUBLISHED ONJuly 05, 2018 10:08 AM
TOKYO, Jul 5, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it has developed what is believed to be the world's first 8K virtual reality (VR) live video streaming and viewing system for showing live events in 360 degrees 8K VR video. A head-mounted viewing system creates highly realistic VR experiences for enjoying music and sporting events that allow viewers to feel as if they are actually at the venue.
The heavy demands of processing 4 x 4K video for real-time stitching and compression into 360 degrees 8K video is difficult to achieve with software. DOCOMO's solution was to use a field programmable gate array (FPGA) for extra-fast processing and an algorithm for high-density mounting (maximizes FPGA processing) at 30 frames per second (fps).
To view video in the head-mounted display, the 360 degrees 8K video is divided into multiple clipped videos (tiles) so that only the video corresponding to the user's viewing direction needs to be displayed. In addition, a Panorama Cho Engine encoder is used for devising algorithms that enable real-time operation, thereby reducing the processing demands for live transmission.
The system comprises equipment that stitches together five 4K fisheye videos from five outward-facing cameras in real time at 30fps, an 8K H.264 encoder for real-time compression, the real-time Panorama Cho Engine encoder to divide the 360 degrees 8K video into multi-direction tiles, and a server to transmit tiles according to the user's viewing direction.
This system will be exhibited at DOCOMO 5G Open Lab Yotsuya, which offers several 5G technologies for testing in collaboration with more than 1,500 companies participating in the DOCOMO 5G Open Partner Program.
Going forward, DOCOMO will continue to develop high-quality VR technology to create new entertainment experiences for the 5G era.
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO provides innovative, convenient and secure mobile services that enable smarter living for each customer. The company serves over 65 million mobile customers in Japan via advanced wireless networks, including a nationwide 3G network and one of the world's first commercial LTE networks. Leveraging its unique capabilities as a mobile operator, DOCOMO is a leading developer of cutting-edge technologies for NFC mobile payments, mobile GPS, mobile TV, intuitive mobile assistance, environmental monitoring, smart grids and much more. Overseas, the company provides technical and operational expertise to eight mobile operators and other partner companies. NTT DOCOMO is listed on the Tokyo (9437) and New York (DCM) stock exchanges. Please visit https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/ for more information.
Contact:
NTT DOCOMO International PR Public Relations Department Tel: +81-3-5156-1366 Fax: +81-3-5501-3408 URL: www.nttdocomo.com Contact: https://nes.nttdocomo.co.jp/PINQ01/showinquiry.do
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