Japan is testing the future of live sport in trials involving large numbers of wifi access blanketing all points around motor racing circuits and streaming live video to race fans at the circuit.

The objective is that people can bring along their wifi device (be it a laptop, PDA or mobile phone), and watch the race live from a variety of video feeds, with a choice of language commentary and access to the circuit’s time-keeping features.

Fans would be able to follow a particular car, with camera views switching to keep the vision on or in the car.

During trials, three types of image streams are used, with attendees choosing from MPEG-2 , MPEG – 4 and Windows Media. They could also hire a Sharp Zaurus for the day (oversubscribed even on practice days.)
Users were reportedly satisfied with the quality of the service.

From Gizmo.