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Teams Together Mode to populate NBA stands

When the NBA basketball season resumed, empty courts now feature 17-foot-high LED virtual stands, with more than 300 fans joining each game using Microsoft Teams’ new Together Mode.

Teams Together Mode to populate NBA stands

The NBA basketball season kicked earlier this month without any fans in attendance. But each game court will feature 17-foot tall LED screens, wrapping three sides of the arena, showing images of more than 300 fans using the new Together Mode in Microsoft Teams.

Together Mode uses AI segmentation technology to put meeting participants on a shared virtual background – in this case a virtual stand at a basketball court. The aim, in general, is to make it easier to maintain eye contact or register participants’ emotions as they react to what’s happening. The benefits can be applied to corporate meetings, class presentations, or an NBA game.

The introduction of Together Mode onto screens at games follows the signing of a multi-year alliance between the NBA and Microsoft, which is also providing a fan engagement platform, with personalised live and on-demand game broadcasts, historical video archives, and insights and analysis.

In a blog post, Jared Spataro, corporate vice president for Microsoft 365, wrote: “This new experience—the first to go live as a result of the NBA/Microsoft partnership—gives participating fans the feeling of sitting next to one another at a live game without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes. Players will experience their energy and support as they dribble down the court and see fans’ real-time reaction. And viewers tuning in to the game from home will feel the crowd’s energy as they see the virtual stands filled with fans.”

More than 30 cameras, including many which are robotically operated, will be repositioned closer to the court, some of them in angles not accessible when fans are in the arena. Microphones around the court will pick up enhanced sounds, including sneaker squeaks and ball bounces. DJ and announcers will also replicated the sounds and experiences teams are used to.

Viewers at home can take part in a virtual cheering experience, using the NBA app and website and via hashtags on the NBA Twitter account. The strength of virtual cheering will be reflected on the courtside video boards with graphics and animations. Fans can also see their videos featured through TikTok challenges while Snapchat’s “ground segmentation” AR technology will show a virtual rendering of the court in Orlando via a Lens wherever the viewer is. NBA Digital will also provide customised viewing options.


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Posted: 18th August 2020


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