World Cup 2018 Technology In Perspective

The world cup is making use of new technologies that have revolutionized content delivery, high resolution imaging and visioning systems.

VAR - Video Assistant Referee introduces replays of the action to allow better referee decisions. An array of cameras shoot video at different angles that can allow the referee to see what occurred, if the decision requires further review. This is just like in the NFL, where a referee can replay video to see action that was missed on the field.

GLT - Like in tennis, Goal Line Technology can verify if the ball has crossed the goal line or not. Too bad this wasn't around when Frank Lampard made a stunning goal that clearly went over the line as replay shows, but missed by the referee. GLT uses sensors and cameras to track the location of the ball in the box area. When the ball crosses the line, even by millimeters, the GLT system will detect it and if it is a goal a message will be sent to a smartwatch that the referee is wearing. This allows the ref to know right away if it was a goal or not.

8K, 4K Footage - High-end cameras are being used in this year's World Cup. Every match will be shot and produced in up to 4K HDR video quality with immersive sound, confirms FIFA. Other matches will also be captured in VR and 360-degree video. NHK Japan will produce eight matches in 8K HDR, including one of the semifinals and the final on July 15. Even if the footage was shot in 8K or 4K resolution, it will be downscaled for transmission broadcast to match the UHD and HD signals. It will still be high-definition.

OTT/IPTV - Just a few years ago, during the 2014 World Cup, I could not get the latest live coverage or news about matches. The only way to watch the games was either OTA, cable TV or closed circuit viewing. Now you can stream to your smartphone, tablet or desktop from anywhere. That is due to more content delivery via IP networks. The network giants have also provided streaming service of the games over the Internet, so what they are broadcasting on cable TV is the same content available on the Internet.

There are other creative ways tech is being used to show the World Cup. Younger people are using IG and Snapchat stories, older football fanatics are taking to blogging or YouTube to express their views and of course podcasts are full of the latest news coming from Russia.