ZDNET tests Apple Vision Pro courtside NBA experience during Lakers game

Kerry Wan of ZDNET watched a full Los Angeles Lakers game on an Apple Vision Pro headset, using Spectrum Front Row’s Apple Immersive broadcast. Wan, who is based in New York, said she watched a replay through the NBA app because live access is restricted to certain Spectrum regional markets.

Wan described the experience as effectively courtside, placed on the scorer’s table with a 180-degree view that lets you pan across both sides of the court. The immersive feed is a fully produced broadcast with dedicated commentators, a floor announcer and multiple camera angles — including behind-the-backboard and center-court views — and Wan found the pacing of the three main camera changes easier to follow than Apple’s earlier MLS Cup content.

She tested the M5 Vision Pro with the dual-knit band and said the band reduced the headset’s front-heaviness after some adjustment to eye level. She highlighted moments of on-court camaraderie that felt more immediate than on a traditional broadcast, and said those subtle sounds and sights were a stand-out part of the experience.

Wan also noted she would like an option to toggle off commentary so only the stadium and court sounds are audible. Wan pointed out limitations that remain: the center-court angle can obscure action in the corners because of the 180-degree camera setup, and game clock and score required looking down.

Key Topics

Tech, Spectrum Front Row, Los Angeles Lakers, Nba, Spectrum Sportsnet