FIFA World Cup 2018 - Russia

[dublinbluray108]

To begin this long & detailed thread, there is very good news for those of you who own UHD TV's, you will be delighted to know that all 64 matches from the World Cup in Russia this summer will be broadcast in UHD with HDR for the first time ever.

FIFA at the forefront of broadcast technology
(FIFA.com) 20 Oct 2017

FIFA TV has a proud legacy of pioneering new broadcast technology at FIFA tournaments to ensure that football fans around the world can enjoy the best quality sports coverage.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ will be no different, with FIFA pushing the boundaries of sports broadcast.

In an effort to remain at the forefront of the industry, all sixty-four matches will be produced in Ultra High Definition with High Dynamic Range for the first time ever. Thanks to a hybrid UHD/HDR/1080p setup multiple choice of video formats will be available (1080i, 1080p or UHD HDR) at the back of one single production chain.

The use of progressive scanning as a baseline production format and HDR will guarantee improved image quality for all Media Rights Licensees, regardless of their delivery format.

Thirty-seven cameras, of which eight with UHD/HDR and 1080p/SDR dual output, and another eight with 1080p/HDR and 1080p/SDR dual output, will cover every match. Further eight Super-slow-motion and two Ultra-motion cameras, a cable-cam and a cineflex heli-cam, will ensure high-class pictures will be available from every angle in each stadium.

The UHD program will benefit from its own wider-framed main camera along with the addition of immersive audio, offering the UHD/HDR viewer a far richer experience than ever before.

Building on the success of the multimedia production at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, the digital production and services offering will now be an integrated part of the overall production plan. As a true innovation, fans will be able to follow the matches in Virtual Reality (VR). Available as a live experience and as 360° video on demand (VoD), this new feature will put the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia into the heart of digital innovation

http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/...y-2916003.html

I don't know anything about this at all until now. So far none of my local broadcasters from Ireland or the UK have specific plans to show any games in UHD yet probably for another few years from now. I'd say that for UK residents; the BBC may announce plans to show these games in UHD online from BBC iPlayer which is reserved for UK TV Licence payers only.

There is some talk of plans for IPTV distribution for UK viewers as being reported from The Guardian.

Have any of you guys got any word yet about which broadcasters from your area who will officially broadcast these games in UHD?

[Bigdog]

Tomorrow the cup opens and since the USA are out of it I think I will rout for the Dutch Orange Crush.

And Grats to North America for winning the 2028 bid, I wonder if they will allow cup games on artificial surfaces, most stadiums in the US are now artificial it seems.

[tob]

I can't wait for the opening match tomorrow hope we get a few classics in this World Cup.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

And Grats to North America for winning the 2028 bid, I wonder if they will allow cup games on artificial surfaces, most stadiums in the US are now artificial it seems.

Apparently the North American bid guaranteed that all games would be played on natural grass:

Peter Montopoli, the general secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association and Canada’s bid director, said it will be 100 per cent natural grass, meaning temporary surfaces will have to be installed in stadiums with artificial turf.

The Olympic Stadium, as well as 10 of the other stadiums being considered across North America, have artificial surfaces. Filato said that the possibility of converting the artificial pitch into real grass is being evaluated.

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/fa...-world-cup-bid

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

Tomorrow the cup opens and since the USA are out of it I think I will rout for the Dutch Orange Crush.

And Grats to North America for winning the 2028 bid, I wonder if they will allow cup games on artificial surfaces, most stadiums in the US are now artificial it seems.

Still bitter about us not qualifying. Such a tough pill to swallow still.

[DeborahTroutman95]

It will probably be the worst FIFA world cup in history.

[tob]

Originally Posted by DeborahTroutman95

It will probably be the worst FIFA world cup in history.

Why do you think that.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by tob

Why do you think that.

I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s hard to get excited for the World Cup when my nation didn’t make the cut. I’m usually pumped for it, but this time around is a very different feeling.

[tob]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s hard to get excited for the World Cup when my nation didn’t make the cut. I’m usually pumped for it, but this time around is a very different feeling.

My country didn't qualify for it too but always look forward to the World Cup.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by tob

My country didn't qualify for it too but always look forward to the World Cup.

Just isn’t the same this cycle for me.

[BLMN]

Time to get out of my dormant state and back to some sports discussion. Looking forward to this WC, 2014 one was very entertaining imo.

[dublinbluray108]

Some interesting news happened today before the World Cup begins tomorrow.

Firstly; Spain's football manager gets sacked before they play their game against Portugal which takes place on Friday.

Canada, Mexico & the USA were named as joint winners to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Is anyone going to see the opening ceremony on TV? How do you think Russia will go with doing it?

I heard British recording artist Robbie Williams is to take part in it ahead of the opening game tomorrow? Any other big names taking part?

[BLMN]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

Canada, Mexico & the USA were named as joint winners to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Interesting, wonder whos gonna host what, opening game, final, etc.. hope the final is in the US.

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by BLMN

Interesting, wonder whos gonna host what, opening game, final, etc.. hope the final is in the US.

The final will be in New York’s MetLife stadium.
60 games in The States with ten each in Mexico and Canada.

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

Tomorrow the cup opens and since the USA are out of it I think I will rout for the Dutch Orange Crush.

And Grats to North America for winning the 2028 bid, I wonder if they will allow cup games on artificial surfaces, most stadiums in the US are now artificial it seems.

Sorry to disappoint ya but they never qualified either.

[tob]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

Some interesting news happened today before the World Cup begins tomorrow.

Firstly; Spain's football manager gets sacked before they play their game against Portugal which takes place on Friday.

Canada, Mexico & the USA were named as joint winners to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Is anyone going to see the opening ceremony on TV? How do you think Russia will go with doing it?

I heard British recording artist Robbie Williams is to take part in it ahead of the opening game tomorrow? Any other big names taking part?

I posted that news yesterday about Spain in the football thread and that U.S.A , Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup.
Spain might come together and still go far in this World Cup they have great players.
I am waiting for the opening ceremony to start at 3pm and then the first match Russia v Saudi.Arabia but i don't think Russia will go far their squad is starting to get old but they have one or two good young players coming through but i say they get out of their group and that's it.
Going to be interesting to see VAR being used for this World Cup.

[dublinbluray108]

I would agree with the point from RTÉ's Eamon Dunphy was making that the level of violence between some Russia & England fans is quite dangerous. I have seen that level of violence with them in France when they were in the Euros on the news & it quite horrible to see it in full view as a spectator. I do understand that some other teams in world football I would prefer that barring any sort of exceptional circumstance that Russia should be playing against England in this tournament this year. However security between the fans should be extremely tight & kept well away from trouble because a distinct minority of their fan base will exacerbate the level of violence who in turn spoil it for everyone else wanting to enjoy the tournament spectacle.

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Apparently the North American bid guaranteed that all games would be played on natural grass:

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/fa...-world-cup-bid

good... i HATED playing on turf..hate hate hate...

anyway, i cant believe i didnt know the cup started today! awesome, since US pathetically didnt make the cut... ill be rooting for Germany....did England make it? theyre usually my no. 2

[dublinbluray108]

Anyone watching the opening ceremony right now?

The sound accuracy on RTÉ is not as good at the moment with Robbie Williams snippets of his songs on stage.

Who is the female singer with him on stage? Is she a Russian singer?

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Just isn’t the same this cycle for me.

broooo! how come you didnt run a fantasy league for this again?

thats was fun last time around... cant believe how quick this came around... thought it started in july or something lol