Vizrt Introduces Smart Video Crop Tool To Streamline Sports Social Media Publishing

Vizrt, a provider of real-time graphics and live production solutions for content creators, has introduced the latest software release of its flagship sports highlight enhancement tool, Viz Libero. It offers a new function: the ability to crop video to various aspect ratios from one interface. Users can create one project and publish multiple versions to multiple platforms during live games or post-match.

Through this cross-platform solution, Viz Libero customers can reach new audiences through shorter snappier clips via social platforms, Vizrt says.

Edouard Griveaud, Vizrt senior product manager, says: “Younger demographics are consuming sports on social media through snackable clips like replays, analysis, and highlights. Viz Libero helps create the perfect content to capture the attention of new audiences like Gen Z, with illustrative and engaging graphics. To support our customers and users in reaching and engaging these new audiences in an even better and faster way we’ve developed a unique social media video crop tool.”

This added feature, Vizrt says, “firmly places Viz Libero as a 24/7 content creation tool, enabling broadcasters and sports leagues to extend their sports rights and engage audiences anytime via linear, digital, and social platforms.”

Vizrt adds: “With Viz Libero now fully operational and deployable in the cloud, and coupled with a flexible licensing structure, customers can maximize the value of Viz Libero across broadcast teams in a traditional manner, before handing over the reins to their digital and social teams to continue the story beyond the final whistle.”

Alongside helping reach new audiences faster, the updated features in the latest Viz Libero are focused on enhancing the user experience. Operators only need to select the preferred aspect ratio, add analysis, and export clips as vertical or other common aspect ratios for publishing platforms.

Griveaud adds: “Different social media platforms favor different formats. With this feature, operators can create clips in a specific format to send to the social media team to review and post. Adjusting and optimizing videos for specific platforms quicker, increases fan engagement and content reach — taking content from stadium to social rapidly.”

The social media crop tool in Viz Libero comes configured to track players to speed up the most basic use of analysis for social media. Operators can select the aspect ratio, then click on the player and the video crop tool will automatically track and crop.

Viz Libero 8.3 also includes several other improvements including non-line sports calibration for sports like cricket and ice hockey, where there are few lines on the playing area to guide graphics placements, alongside native Datacenter integration to Sportec.