Apple and Spectrum SportsNet partnered to bring select Los Angeles Lakers games in Apple Immersive this season after more than one year of development.
For the Lakers game in Apple Immersive, the URSA Cine Immersive Live cameras produce 8K, 3D video with a 180-degree view. One of the cameras is positioned at center court, allowing the viewer to take in the game as if being seated courtside at Crypto.com Arena.
That angle makes for an opportunity to do some celebrity watching if so inclined. Klutch Sports Group founder Rich Paul and former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers were easy to spot taking in the action on Thursday night.
Additional camera angles supported through Apple Immersive are the behind the baskets, which gives fans a chance to take in the action along the baseline in an otherwise unobtainable perspective and proximity to the court.
Within the scope of the fully immersive experience is being able to look up at the main scoreboard and ribbon boards that line the arena.
There are cuts relative to the on-court action, such as switching to under the basket area as Luka Doncic pushes the ball up the court or LeBron James drives for a slam dunk.
One of the more awe-inspiring elements is being placed in the tunnel as players take the court and head to the locker room during timeouts.
Spatial audio allows for the viewer to hear all the sights and sounds during a game, from sneakers squeaking on the court to celebrations or complaints to officials. Further enhancing the experience is a dedicated broadcast through Spectrum Front Row with play-by-play man Mark Rogondino and analyst Danny Green.
They were accompanied by reporter Stephen Nelson for the first Lakers Immersive broadcast, and Allie LaForce handled sideline duties for Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rogondino seamlessly directs viewers to features specific to the Apple Vision Pro experience. One being the ability to easily look down for a scoreboard that has the score, quarter, time and timeouts remaining.
Although the Vision Pro headset creates a feeling of being in the arena, there are built-in safety features such as the picture closing if standing up or moving around. Similarly, looking at wherever your iPhone is located will cut a bubble-like shape into the picture to view.
If set up to unlock with Vision Pro, it’s also possible to text on your phone via a pass-through camera.
Simply told, watching the Lakers play on the Apple Vision Pro headset via Spectrum Front Row puts fans inside the arena from the comfort of their own home through seven different camera angles.
Schedule of Lakers games in Apple Immersive
Friday, Feb. 20: Clippers vs. Lakers
Thursday, March 5: Lakers vs. Nuggets
Tuesday, March 10: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
Monday, March 30: Wizards vs. Lakers
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