SportsMEDIA’s ISO Track Debuts During IndyCar Race on Versus

SportsMEDIA Technology Association has introduced a new product called ISO Track that tracks objects in real-time from any moving or fixed television camera.  ISO Track allows broadcasters to tracks and highlights an object or area of interest from a cluster of objects in the image.  Unlike other tracking technology, ISO Track does not require any electronics in the object being tracked or in the camera providing the imagery.

SportsMEDIA’s ISO Track was unveiled at the IZOD IndyCar Series Alabama race on April 11, 2010.  The tracking technology made it possible for Versus to identify and follow specific open wheel cars as they moved around the track utilizing cameras placed within race cars, on a moving jib in pit row, and in a helicopter above the race track.   ISO Track was designed to seamlessly integrate with SportsMEDIA’s technology including its Data Matrix Switchboard application, which enables the graphics application to integrate real-time statistics and telemetry information.

“We are delighted to work with SportsMEDIA to implement this industry first for broadcast racing,” says Leon Schweir, executive producer at VERSUS.  “ISO Track dramatically improves our IZOD IndyCar Series broadcast.  It helps us create an engaging broadcast where fans could put each lap of the race into context and more fully experience the excitement of the competition.  We look forward to incorporating ISO Track into not only other Versus racing programming but many of our other live sporting events.”

ISO Track’s graphics capabilities create new on-air sponsorship opportunities for broadcasters by integrating sponsors’ logos along with race results and associated graphics.  Series sponsor IZOD received increased brand exposure at the IZOD IndyCar Series Alabama race as their logo was incorporated with race data and graphics.

SportsMEDIA’s ISO Track is not limited to racing and can enhance the broadcasts for a wide variety of sports such as horse racing, marathon racing, hockey, football, swimming, and cycling events.

“SportsMEDIA is continually raising the bar by creating new technology that packages compelling statistics with engaging visual displays,” says Don Tupper, VP of business development at SportsMEDIA.  “With ISO Track, our customers can produce broadcasts that help TV audiences gain a better appreciation of the challenges and skills required for sporting competitions.”

Versus will continue to use SportsMEDIA’s ISO Track for its remaining nine broadcasts of the IZOD IndyCar Series. http://www.versus.com/blogs/indycar/indycar-2010-schedule/.