I’m no golf fan. And I’ve yet to be sold 3D in the home. So I can’t say I have anything but passing interest in Comcast’s broadcast of The Masters next month, which features:
the first live next-generation 3D broadcast of a major sporting event on TV, the first live simulcast of a next-gen 3D event online, and the industry’s first live multi-camera next-gen 3D production.
Of course, Comcast’s dedicated 3D channel will be provided in addition to the regular feed and limited to only about two hours of live coverage a day. Because how many of us have actually purchased new 3D-capable televisions and shutter glasses?
gimick; better use of bandwidth and event personnel is the enhanced coverage I’ve seen previously with constant feeds from high profile holes, player-specific feeds, etc.
I’m not sure if that was/still is a DirecTV exclusive, but here’s a look at what they offered last year: http://www.dish-television.com/2008/04/08/direct-tv-masters-mix-10041/
They had similar setups for the PGA Championship and US Open, too.
My next TV will be a 3D one, but that’s because I am long overdue for an upgrade. 3D transition will be kind of like HDTV transition — no one will switch overnight, but at some point you won’t be able to buy non-3D TV sets.
Right now, the best option seems to be the V-series Panasonic plasma, but it’s only 50″ (out now) and 54″ (out in a few weeks). Larger sizes and more choices will become available in June-July.
Does anyone know if you can turn off the 3-D on these TVs? I suppose there may be a time in the distant future when I gott a have 3-D, but for the most part, I don’t want it.
I already wear glasses and I’m not going to wear another pair over them just for the 3-D. Plus, how many of us multi-task in front of the TV – surfing with a laptop, for example? I can’t see wearing 3-D glasses while knitting in front of the TV, either.
I know this is a pre-cursor to that distant future when our personal hologram is playing on a stage in front of us as the dog runs through the picture, but I’m not ready for it.
@Pam T: I assume that any content that is being broadcast in 3D is likely also available in 2D, so you could just watch the other channel if you don’t want 3D. However, as I understand it the way these things are coded, the TV or STB *could* just display one of the two frames and ignore the other, so just like mono/stereo a TV *could* offer a 2D/3D button that would make it just display say the left field rather than the 3D version. I have no idea if manufacturers will offer such a feature or not though. I can’t seem to find a manual for the Panasonic VT20 that is only now becoming available…
Frankly, 3D makes me dizzy. Not a fan of it at all and I know a lot of people that feel the same. Before any company starts investing in 3D programming, I think they should wait to see how the sales of 3D TVs are fairing. From one business perspective though, it is definitely beneficial to be the first at something.