EVS launches XtraMotion, AI-based on-demand cloud replay service

XtraMotion, cloud service developed by EVS which uses artificial intelligence to transform video content into super slow-motion replays, is now a reality.

As pointed out Christophe Mass, product manager at EVS, XtraMotion It has been developed to support broadcasters where native super slow motion sources (120 fps or more) cannot be deployed: “The main goal of XtraMotion is very simple: to generate great looking super slow motion images with a very short broadcast time and frictionless operations.”

Based on machine learning algorithms developed by the EVS team of experts, XtraMotion is responsible for remotely creating these high frame rates. The technology works with formats ranging from 1080i hasta UHD/HDR and with any original frame rate. In this way, EVS emphasizes that they are capable of transforming a video of 60 fps in one of 180 fps, or 180 fps in another 540 fps. The system also works with archived content.

Tested in Super Bowl LIV

XtraMotion was first evaluated by FOX Sports in the Super Bowl LIVE to convert standard frame rate clips from specialty cameras into high speed footage. It has since been used in other productions, including the MLB World Series in Arlington, Texas, in November 2020; and on a more regular basis for live coverage of the NFL, NCAA college basketball and NASCAR.

Mike Davies, senior vice president of field and technical management and operations at Fox Sports, positively rates the system: "EVS's

Kevin Callahan, director of technical operations at Fox Sports, shares the feelings of his colleagues: “The slow motion shots created from the car cameras at the Daytona 500 this year allowed us to really appreciate how good the drivers are and gave us a real feeling of how steep the embankment is.”

"The super slow motion shots created from the in-car cameras at this year's Daytona 500 allowed us to really appreciate how good the drivers are and gave us a real feel for how steep the bank is. And the fact that XtraMotion is a cloud-based service means we can deploy it whenever and wherever we want, and easily scale it up to the capacity we need in each of our productions," concludes Callahan.