Telstra brings advanced VR streaming to Aus

Telstra, Magna Systems, Summit Tech and Igloo have partnered up to deliver real time, low latency VR streaming over 5G for the first time in Australia.

At the recent Telstra Vantage showcase, the companies delivered an Australian first providing live, 8K VR streaming over Telstra's 5G network with images captured by a Kandao Obsidan R 8K camera from the Gold Coast to viewers in Melbourne.

Visitors to the Telstra Vantage showcase had the opportunity to experience immersive, real time streaming with 5G voice and video calling.

They were invited to step into a shared VR cylinder designed by immersive VR and audio-visual specialists Igloo Vision, where they were transported to a beach on the Gold Coast while sharing the experience via carrier-based video calling (IR.94).

Using an outside broadcast truck from Blue Garage TV, the OB and fly away specialists, Summit Tech designed a capture and encoding system which can be setup in any location with 5G coverage.

The system transmitted to viewers equipped with the Summit Tech RCS VR Odience application, a platform for 5G based live event streaming. Viewers could then access the live stream on 4G, 5G or wifi and interact with their contacts through Rich Communication Services (RCS) and social media.

For 5G networks, Summit RCS VR Calling supports Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) with 8K 360 video streams and IR.39 HD Video Conferencing (HDVC).

It utilises the RCS VR Odience platform, an end-to-end VR content event management solution for live events and concerts, AR conference calls and telepresence.

RCS VR Odience enhances the VR calling experience for both the content creators and viewers, the company says. On location content creators are then able to manage live events with features such as video calls projected onto video walls or domes situated at the venue, creating virtual spectators, connecting viewers to front row VR performers and more, according to the company.

In addition to witnessing the live, 8K VR streaming over Telstra's 5G network, visitors to the cylinder at the Telstra Vantage showcase also saw other IMS and RCS live demonstrations through live streaming 8K VR.