Hitachi Vantara helps stream immersive
content on Sphere's
160,000 square-foot
interior LED display and 580,000 square-foot Exosphere
Hitachi Vantara's software technology
processes Sphere's original content
with
speed and reliability
LAS
VEGAS and SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 7,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sphere Entertainment Co.
(NYSE: SPHR) and Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure
and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., revealed
new details today on how the two companies leverage Hitachi
Vantara's data processing software to help power the LED screens at
Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium in Las Vegas. Both Sphere's 160,000 square-foot
interior LED display plane and 580,000 square-foot fully
programmable LED exterior – the Exosphere – utilize Hitachi
Vantara's software as a key tool to stream high-resolution
immersive content.
"Sphere is home to many firsts, one of which is streaming
immersive, high-resolution video content on a scale that has never
been done before," said Alex Luthwaite, SVP, Show Systems
Technology, Sphere Entertainment. "Hitachi Vantara worked with our
team to develop a solution that's fast, reliable, and efficient.
Through their expertise and technology, Sphere's displays deliver
content that is captivating audiences not only in the venue in
Las Vegas, but also around the
world on social media."
With the world's highest resolution LED screen inside the venue
and the largest LED screen on the exterior, Sphere leaned on
Hitachi Vantara to deliver solutions to stream video content on an
unprecedented scope. For its original immersive film, Darren Aronofsky's Postcard from Earth,
the system handles over 400 gigabytes a second of throughput at sub
5 milliseconds of latency and a 12-bit color display at a 444
subsampling. Hitachi Vantara utilized its storage platform Hitachi
Content Software for File, a high-performance, software-defined,
distributed parallel filesystem storage solution.
"Sphere represents a new, completely immersive and visually
powerful entertainment experience," said Octavian Tanase, Chief Product Officer,
Hitachi Vantara. "To make sure that
the technology behind it was ready to meet the challenge, Hitachi
Vantara worked closely with the Sphere team to test, measure, and
enhance how the data is processed, streamed, and projected.
Quality-wise, the resolution and color are second to none, and this
project has exceeded our already high expectations."
The Hitachi Content Software for File system consists of 27
nodes, with 4PB of flash storage for playback within Sphere and
streamed in real-time to 7thSense media servers, each streaming
4K video at 60 frames per second – a
world-first in terms of technology capability at this scale.
Hitachi Vantara's technology enables Sphere to deliver extremely
low latency and high throughput, creating an unforgettable
experience for audiences during Postcard from Earth.
Hitachi Vantara also partnered with Sphere to produce the same
reliable capabilities at Sphere Studios' Big Dome, a 28,000
square-foot, 100-foot-high custom geodesic dome in Burbank, CA with a quarter-sized version of
the screen at Sphere in Las Vegas.
Big Dome serves as a specialized screening, production facility,
and lab for the Sphere Studios team to develop original content
exclusively for Sphere.
For press assets, please click here.
About Sphere
Sphere is a next-generation entertainment
medium that is redefining the future of live entertainment. A venue
where the foremost artists, creators, and technologists create
extraordinary experiences that take storytelling to a new level and
transport audiences to places both real and imagined. The venue
hosts original Sphere Experiences from leading Hollywood directors; concerts and residencies
from the world's biggest artists; and premier marquee events. The
first Sphere venue opened in Las
Vegas in September 2023, and
is a new Las Vegas landmark,
powered by cutting-edge technologies that ignite the senses and
enable audiences to share experiences at a never-before-seen scale.
More information is available at thesphere.com.
About Sphere Entertainment Co.
Sphere Entertainment
Co. is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company
includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by
cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment.
The first Sphere venue opened in Las
Vegas in September 2023. In
addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two
regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG
Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated
streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports
content and other programming. More information is available at
sphereentertainmentco.com.
About Hitachi Vantara
Hitachi Vantara is
transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned
subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data
foundation the world's leading innovators rely on. Through data
storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital
expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for
sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit
www.hitachivantara.com.
Contact:
Sphere Entertainment –
spherepr@thesphere.com
Hitachi Vantara – Tony Buglione,
tony.buglione@hitachivantara.com
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SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.