NFL Thinks Beyond HD, Tinkers With 3-D

CNET: Will Broadcast Game Live At Select Theaters To Showcase Realistic Viewer Experience

(CNET)  If you thought that watching football in high definition seemed more realistic, just wait until you can view a game in 3D.

Next week the National Football League is broadcasting live in 3-D a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders to theaters in Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. The event, to be held December 4, is a demonstration to show how the technology can be used to provide a more realistic experience in a theater or in the home.

The NFL has invited representatives from consumer electronics companies to view the event in an effort to drum up support. In addition to showing the game on a big 3-D screen, the demonstration will include television displays to show what could be possible in people's homes, The Wall Street Journal reported. Some consumer electronics makers have already begun making 3-D television sets, mostly to accommodate DVDs that are available in 3-D. But the industry is still working on standards for 3-D.

Just as live sports entertainment has pushed the adoption of high-definition TVs, it could also help drive standards efforts and adoption of 3-D TVs.
Burbank-based 3ality Digital will shoot the game with special 3D cameras and transmit the game via satellite service to the three theaters. Real D 3D is providing the displays in the theaters and is overseeing production and transmission of the 3-D broadcast.

This isn't the first time that the NFL has demonstrated 3-D technology. In 2004, it filmed the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers in 3-D. Sandy Climan, the CEO of 3ality, told The Wall Street Journal that when he shows the footage from the taped 3-D Super Bowl, "people crouch down to catch the ball. It's as if the ball is coming into your arms."

Even though other live events like operas and circuses have been broadcast live in 3-D to theaters around the country, the event on December 4 will be the first time that the NFL has broadcast a game live using the technology.

[rf35]

Great. Now we''ll all have to buy new TVs again in a few years.

[juwboy]

czmdm said:

"At least NFL football is exciting."

Really?

About 8 minutes of actual football over a 3-hour period and about 172 minutes of waiting for something to happen -- and each individual player is involved in the action for less than half of the 8 minutes. They don`t have to work very hard for their money, do they?

And look at all of that protective gear they wear.

What a bunch of wimps!

If you become a rugby fan, you`ll wonder why you ever liked football.

[czmdm]

At least NFL football is exciting. Unlike "soccor" which has got to be THE most boring game in the world. 90 minutes of running around for a total of 3 points...what a joke. And the hilarious "drama" when the injured lay kicking and screaming on the ground until the stretcher comes out. What a bunch of wimps. The only tough guys in soccor are the idiot fans in the stands who seem determined to destroy the stadium, kill the opponents fans and destroy the city that hosted the game. What a larf!!

[hennighg]

Zzzzz. More football stuff? Who cares? American football is just a little below infomercials for entertainment value.

[clathrate]

Man, people spend way too much time on their @ss watching TV as it is. We shouldn''t be giving lardasses any more reasons to be couchpotatoes.

[dan400man]

I''''m sure those Lions fans will love this !!
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Posted by sly_64 at 12:48 PM

NOOOOOOOOO! The humanity, the humanity!!!

[nywizzer]

OMG....I would LOVE to see an NFL game in HD-3D....that is the coolest idea I have heard. Imagine front row seats all the time!!!!

I want to be a test pilot!!!

[mikezembill]

Lets hope they do not have 3D for George leaving the whitehouse with crying towles in short supply now what will we do.

A great idea but unless it comes to my living room, not interested. I do have the NFL Package.

[mikezembill]

Now the price of HD will be cheaper.

[actornaught]

Posted by Questionnews at 02:44 PM : Nov 24, 2008

How would you know that?....

[questionnews]

I''m just amazed that a sports network is marketing this technology before the porn industries did.

[honestabe8]

HD or 3D, it''s still an overhyped boring game

[sly_64]

I''m sure those Lions fans will love this !!

[easeup-2009]

Nice--now I can watch the Browns S-U-C-K in 3 D.