Tata Communications confident of supporting Ultra High Definition of 2017 FIA Formula One

NEW DELHI: The official connectivity provider of Formula 1, Tata Communications, Formula One Management and Sky have tested in action live Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcasting at the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. Following this end-to-end broadcast of an F1 race in UHD, Sky will show all races of the 2017 season in UHD.

The UHD test in Singapore follows a series of other ambitious proof of concepts by Tata Communications and Formula One Management around live Over the Top content delivery and 4K broadcasting.

The press release said that the successful proof-of-concept involved the installation of multiple state-of-the-art UHD cameras at the Singapore circuit. The footage from these was mixed in the FOM Broadcast Centre onsite, and the UHD output distributed live to Sky’s HQ in Osterley in the UK using Tata Communications’ Video Connect service. Video Connect enables broadcasters to deliver live video feeds over the world’s largest wholly-owned subsea fibre network, ensuring the highest quality experience for viewers.

“This proof of concept with Sky and Tata Communications demonstrates our ongoing commitment to make F1 the ultimate sports experience by harnessing the power of cutting-edge broadcasting technologies,” says John Morrison, Chief Technical Officer of Formula One Management.

“Delivering the race action seamlessly in UHD from any Grand Prix location to homes requires superfast, reliable connectivity on a global scale,” says Mehul Kapadia, Managing Director of F1 Business at Tata Communications. “And, other game-changing technologies like virtual reality will rely on ubiquitous, superfast connectivity too. As the break-neck speed of technology innovation continues, we’ll work with Formula One Management to enable fans to experience the exhilarating world of F1 in new ways.”