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We’ve had 3D movies for a long time, but actual live 3D television broadcasting has only just become a reality in time for the Soccer World Cup in South Africa. Official technology partner for the tournament – Sony – is behind the new broadcasting initiative.
For actual broadcasts only those with 3D TV sets – which are still new and not widely available – will be able to access the 3D game footage live. Those are being provided to ESPN in the United States and a handful of other broadcasters overseas, such as Japan.
In SA only selected games are being made available in live 3D to consumers visiting Nu Metro cinemas. The Avusa-owned cinema chain began advertising that last Sunday, saying it would be showing 18 of the World Cup games live in 3D at some of its cinemas.
The content is being provided via a partnership with SuperSport, and the public can book to watch live games in 3D at Nu Metro’s Emperors Palace, Montecasino, Clearwater Mall, The Glen, Bedford Centre, Hyde Park, Menlyn Park, The Pavilion, Galleria, V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk, Riverside Mall, Loch Logan and Walmer Park cinemas.
A list of games available in 3D is on Nu Metro’s website, along with booking information, at www.numetro.co.za. Suffice to say the final is one of them.
Though this will be the only way South Africans will be able to watch live games in 3D, Sony says it will be releasing 25 World Cup games on blu-ray disc to be viewed after the event for consumers with compatible blu-ray players and TVs. It’s also erected a giant tent on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton to show recorded games and other 3D footage during the event.
3D TVs are also set to launch in SA soon. Andrew Fraser, who manages the Sony brand in SA, says the new 3D sets won’t be more expensive than current high-end HD TVs. That said, special glasses are required to view 3D footage. The TVs include two pairs, but additional sets have to be bought and are quite expensive due to the nature of the technology they use, which is different from the cheap, polarised lenses in the glasses used in cinemas.
MultiChoice says it has no plans to launch 3D on its DStv service. However, that might change in the future.
A report by technology research firm Gartner says demand for 3D TVs is being driven by movies such as Avatar but that the lack of 3D TVs and of variety of 3D technologies has led to confusion among consumers. There are also many standards and little cohesion between manufacturers.
Gartner says it doesn’t expect any breakthroughs in home 3D TV use before 2015.
For actual broadcasts only those with 3D TV sets – which are still new and not widely available – will be able to access the 3D game footage live. Those are being provided to ESPN in the United States and a handful of other broadcasters overseas, such as Japan.
In SA only selected games are being made available in live 3D to consumers visiting Nu Metro cinemas. The Avusa-owned cinema chain began advertising that last Sunday, saying it would be showing 18 of the World Cup games live in 3D at some of its cinemas.
The content is being provided via a partnership with SuperSport, and the public can book to watch live games in 3D at Nu Metro’s Emperors Palace, Montecasino, Clearwater Mall, The Glen, Bedford Centre, Hyde Park, Menlyn Park, The Pavilion, Galleria, V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk, Riverside Mall, Loch Logan and Walmer Park cinemas.
A list of games available in 3D is on Nu Metro’s website, along with booking information, at www.numetro.co.za. Suffice to say the final is one of them.
Though this will be the only way South Africans will be able to watch live games in 3D, Sony says it will be releasing 25 World Cup games on blu-ray disc to be viewed after the event for consumers with compatible blu-ray players and TVs. It’s also erected a giant tent on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton to show recorded games and other 3D footage during the event.
3D TVs are also set to launch in SA soon. Andrew Fraser, who manages the Sony brand in SA, says the new 3D sets won’t be more expensive than current high-end HD TVs. That said, special glasses are required to view 3D footage. The TVs include two pairs, but additional sets have to be bought and are quite expensive due to the nature of the technology they use, which is different from the cheap, polarised lenses in the glasses used in cinemas.
MultiChoice says it has no plans to launch 3D on its DStv service. However, that might change in the future.
A report by technology research firm Gartner says demand for 3D TVs is being driven by movies such as Avatar but that the lack of 3D TVs and of variety of 3D technologies has led to confusion among consumers. There are also many standards and little cohesion between manufacturers.
Gartner says it doesn’t expect any breakthroughs in home 3D TV use before 2015.
