Expert: Joseph Silver - 8/16/2008

Question
hi!

I've searched but cannot find a story about how NBC does the graphic overlays seen during their broadcasts for such things as lane assignments in swimming and track and field events (country flag and name showing in each lane), who's ahead (the green line that moves to show the position of the leader).

It a very helpful use of graphics and animation to explain things during a broadcast.

Would you please point me in the direction of an article or blog about how it's done from a conceptual point of view?

Thank you so much!

Answer
hi john - fairly expensive computer systems/services, such as those provided by chryon, are used to generate the real-time graphic overlays that you describe. those systems probably include different animated quicktime modules that are more complex and prepared in advance of the live event. for example, a waving flag may be animated in advance to chyron's technical specs, then provided to the chryon operator to be used during the event. hi-cons may also be provided so that the operator can easily superimpose animations or graphics on top of live video.

i believe chyron provides this service to nbc as seen in this article:

http://www.chyron.com/pressandnews/pressreleases/chyrontoprovidegraphicsequipmen...

you may want to browse the chyron website to learn more about the details of their technology and services.

www.designomotion.com