Exclusive Shots From Space Shuttle Endeavor's Final Landing At LAX, Shot In 3D!

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The California Science Center, NASA, United Airlines, and a host of volunteers donated their services and products to ensure the Space Shuttle Endeavor’s final landing at LAX was memorialized and celebrated. "Endeavor Comes Home" producer, David Knight, Ted Kenney, 3D producer, and director Haley Jackson led the production portion of the landing. 3ality Technica and the Society of Camera Operators (SOC) captured every second from the moment the Endeavor began its ascent to its welcoming party. The Endeavor will make its final home at the California Science Center in the coming weeks, which will involve being towed across Los Angeles to Exposition Park. 3ality Technica will be there to capture the move, along with SOC members shooting in 2D, and the content will be banked for future use by the California Science Center and other partners.

Interested in seeing a collection of time lapse images of the event? Check out this cool video from the LA Times.

I'm so glad that this event was captured for the history archives in 3D. Imagine being a young student and being able to see a Saturn V rocket launch for the moon in 3D! We want to ensure future generations can appreciate what happened and be as close to the action as possible. Studies have shown that students learning in 3D can better concentrate and retain more knowledge too (for an example), so why not include history in the making?

A big thank you for all those involved in the capture of this moment for future generations in 3D. It's appreciated!

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3ality Technica To Help Broadcast The Summer London Olympics!

Cool news regarding 3D and the summer London Olympics! 3ality Technica will be there in force to help the Olympic Broadcasting Services deliver the exciting content providing their equipment and expertise. The confidence meter for an enjoyable broadcast from the historical gathering just went up significantly!

"We volunteered our expertise to OBS and said we will do whatever it takes to help you because this event has to be well done," said Steve Schklair, CEO, 3Ality Technica. "It will hurt the 3D industry if it is not."

"The 3D Olympics needs to be more than technically perfect," he added. "If the 3D feed of the Opening Ceremony, for example, is not more compelling than the 2D feed then people will switch back to the 2D. Our concern is about generating compelling content."

From 3DFocus:

There will be a 3D operations centre in the IBC (International Broadcast Centre) to receive and distribute signals and to produce a dedicated 3D channel broadcasting 16 hours a day for the Games’ duration and a daily highlights programme as part of the 3D channel transmission. More than 230 hours of 3D will be produced in total.

The intention is that 75-80% of the coverage will come from native 3D cameras and 25-20% from 2D converted cameras.

Live coverage is currently planned for the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, gymnastics and synchronised diving with possible additional live coverage from canoeing and aquatics (swimming, synchronised swimming, diving and water polo).

The ENG crews, armed with Panasonic AG-3DP1 twin-lens camcorder s, will provide feeds for the highlights package for sports including basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, equestrian, judo, cycling and wrestling.
The 3D feed will be offered by the BBC, CCTV (China), Sky Italia, Australia’s Channel Nine, France TV and NBC.

There are now just 100 days to go before the London Olympics games commence. It was also confirmed today that Virgin Media will be carrying Eurosport 3D - a dedicated channel which will broadcast eight hours of live footage and four hours of highlights from the games, starting July 27tth.

Steve is bang on. The Olympics is such a monumental period of time in broadcasting that any hiccup in the 3D presentation would reflect badly from the sheer number of people around the globe watching it. Thanks for stepping up 3ality Technica!


Source: 3DFocus.co.uk

ESPN Commits To S3DHD Broadcast Of The 2011 NBA FInals!!

I am a bit biased: I love 3D. I love basketball (I am 6'6" after all). Put the two together and I am suitably enjoying myself!

ESPN 3D has announced that they will be covering the 2011 NBA Finals in stereoscopic 3D!

Here's the official press release (emphasis is mine):
NBA Finals Televised for First Time in 3D

ESPN 3D, in its first year of distribution, will expand its NBA offerings to include The Finals – the pinnacle of the NBA season – this June, marking the first time the championship-crowning event will be presented in 3D. ESPN 3D televised the first NBA game in 3D when the Miami Heat visited the New York Knicks on December 17, 2010. Since December, ESPN 3D has shown six NBA games in addition to other programming.

ESPN 3D's upcoming NBA schedule (schedule subject to change):
Fri, Feb 25 8 p.m. Oklahoma City at Orlando
Fri, Mar 4 7 p.m. Chicago at Orlando
Wed, Mar 16 8 p.m. Oklahoma City at Miami
Fri, Apr 1 8 p.m. Boston at Atlanta
TBD TBD NBA Playoffs (First Round) – Game 1
TBD TBD NBA Playoffs (First Round) – Game 4
TBD TBD NBA Playoffs (Conference Semifinals) – Game 2
TBD TBD Western Conference Finals – Game 1
TBD TBD Western Conference Finals – Game 2
TBD TBD Western Conference Finals – Game 4
Thurs, Jun 2 9 p.m. Finals (Game 1)
Sun, Jun 5 8 p.m. Finals (Game 2)
Tues, Jun 7 9 p.m. Finals (Game 3)
Thurs, Jun 9 9 p.m. Finals (Game 4)
Sun, Jun 12 8 p.m. Finals (Game 5)
Tues, Jun 14 9 p.m. Finals (Game 6)
Thurs, Jun 16 9 p.m. Finals (Game 7)

Beginning Monday, Feb. 14, ESPN 3D began showing 3D content 24-hours a day. In its first year, ESPN 3D will telecast more than 100 live events.

About ESPN 3D
ESPN was the first to announce in the United States an exclusive 3D network in January 2010 which was the culmination of more than three years of testing 3D television. ESPN produced many 3D domestic telecasts in 2010, including: college football and basketball, the State Farm Home Run Derby, the Masters, the Harlem Globetrotters and NBA games. ESPN 3D first produced the USC vs. Ohio State college football game in September 2009 which became the starting point for the network. ESPN has developed best practices for utilizing and producing 3D technology in live game applications. In addition, ESPN utilizes cutting-edge technology located at the ESPN Innovation Lab in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World to continue to develop innovative production enhancements. ESPN 3D is available in the United States to approximately 62.5 million households and has carriage agreements with AT&T U-Verse, Comcast, DIRECTV and Time Warner Cable. It will launch in 2011 on Verizon FiOS TV. Sony was named the first official sponsor of the network in January 2010.

Yes, I am predicting a Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Final! Mark. My. Words. :-)

NHL To Broadcast Hockey Games In 3D! First Up: Toronto vs. Montreal, Dec 11

Well this is very interesting news for all you hockey fans out there! The CBC has announced that it will be showing some 3D hockey games this season and the first slated game is the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Montreal Canadiens on December 11. You will need a 3D TV and glasses which will allow you to watch the stunning 3D detail.

No one beats the hockey coverage on CBC. It's not even close. So warm up those satellite dishes.

Panasonic is stepping up by sponsoring the events. I have seen hockey clips in 3D on Panasonic's S3DHD TVs at The 3D Experience and it is stunning. This is a no-brainer really - all sports should continue to expand their 3D broadcasts for that "It's just like I was there" immersion factor.
The second 3D game scheduled is the Heritage Classic when the Calgary Flames host the Montreal Canadiens in an outdoor game at McMahon Stadium on February 20, 2011.

From the CBC: "We are very pleased to partner with Panasonic on this unique and ground-breaking initiative," Scott Moore, executive director for CBC Sports, said in a statement. "Together, we will be bringing an experience to Canadian hockey fans that has never been done before. This is a Canadian first and a very exciting time for television and hockey in Canada."

"Panasonic is at the forefront of 3D innovation, leading the charge on developing technology for both industry professionals and everyday Canadians," said Ian Kilvert, general manager, corporate brand management for Panasonic Canada Inc. "With our expertise and cutting-edge products, it makes sense to partner with the CBC to help bring the first-ever 3D hockey viewing experience into Canadian living rooms."

Gotta love it! That completes the sweep of major sporting leagues in North America into the fold with the NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, NCAA, PGA and NASCAR all having presented events in 3D. Even the World Cup has been shown in three dimensions. Now to even out the quality to the highest standards and increase the number of games shown. Live 3D sports is upon us!!

SKY Ready To Net 3DTV Viewers In The UK Starting In October!

3DTV owners in the UK rejoice! Starting October 1, you will be able to enjoy Ryder Cup Golf and movies such as MONSTERS VS. ALIENS on your new SKY+HD channel. After in the field testing at more than 1500 locations, SKY is ready for primetime.

As Christmas approaches, other 3D movies will be available including ALICE IN WONDERLAND and HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE.

Further to golf, a variety of 3D sporting events will be on the channel including Premier League football.

The service will work on most 3DTVs including units from Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic.

I am elated that the UK are getting their 3D in the home so quickly! SKY seems to be doing things right so it should be a pleasure to watch. If you are in the UK and getting this service, let me know! I will pass along your thoughts to our readers.

Source: BBC

The French Open Will Be Shown In 3D! In Europe Anyway...

Jim here. Panasonic is partnering with France's Federation Franchaise de Tennis, Eurosport and Orange to provide The French Open in glorious 3D. Specifically center court games.

The 3D action will take place between May 23 and June 6, 2010 on Panasonic S3DHD TVs in selected retail outlets. France will enjoy much more coverage at the retail level and if you happen to live there, Orange will be broadcasting the 3D event to their own TV channel.

Eurosport is assisting by taking the Orange S3D feed and delivering it to 3000 retail stores in 58 European countries outside of France on Panasonic's VT20 S3DHD Plasma TVs.

I am impressed with the collaboration of these large corporations in delivering the goods. Everyone loves a good tennis match and I think 3D is a perfect way to show it off. Would have love to have seen Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe battle it out again this way! Hmmm... Converting classic sports moments in 3D? :-) Let's get on it!

And get that French Open 3D broadcast over to North America!

Tiger Woods And The Masters Will Be On April 7-11: Find Out How To See It In 3D!

Jim here. Maybe you have heard that The Masters will be broadcast live on Comcast in stereoscopic 3D and wondered how will you be able to see it? Let's get to the bottom of it!

SFGate has a nice article on how to get up and running:
If you are one of the few thousand people who have an HDTV with 3D capability, you will be able to access a specific channel devoted to the event in 3-D. It will also be available on Video On Demand.

The Par 3 Tournament will be broadcast live on Wednesday, April 7 from 3-5 p.m. ET. Holes 14, 16, and 18, with rotating coverage of holes 10-13 and 17, will air live from 4-6 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday, and 5-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Bonus: no commercials will air during these broadcasts.

Holding off on buying anything 3D? Several Best Buy and Sony stores will be showing the Masters footage on their 3D TV samples. You can also record it on your HD-DVR, and watch when you purchase a 3D TV.

If you have a computer with 3D capability (you need to buy a 3D-enabled computer monitor), visit Masters.com to watch. A 3D monitor (and glasses) is sufficient for watching, but you have to download a plug-in and watch. It will be available on Masters.com.

I am lucky enough to have a 3D Vision setup and the Samsung 2233RZ 120Hz monitor so I will be definitely checking it out! Let me know if you are watching it in 3D on a S3DHD TV - I am curious about your end user experience...

Great Feedback From Live S3D Football Yesterday!!

Jim here. Looks like there is some great word of mouth happening about yesterday's football match between Manchester United and Arsenal!

Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-1.

UK fans had this to say (via Mirror.co.uk): Lifelong Arsenal fan Alan Howe, 66, who watched the game at a pub in the capital, said: "I have HD at home and I thought nothing could get better than that. But this certainly is. It's mind-boggling."

United fan Josie Haigh, 28, a solicitor from Huddersfield,West Yorks, said: "It's amazing. The close-up shots are really good. It feels like you are being sucked into the screen."

Ben Smart, 27, a Man U supporter from Leeds, said: "What a game. It feels even better to win in 3D."

The identity of the nine pubs in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin where the game was shown in 3D had been kept top secret so that they weren't swamped by fans.

Sky (with 3D services from 3ality Digital) says 3D home sets will be on the market in the next six months. Companies hope to sell sets costing between £700 and £1,000 ($1100 and $1600).

...And fans from Scotland (via news.scotsman.com): James Wright, 34, who travelled across from Falkirk for the match, said: "It's fantastic. With that sort of depth it feels like you're actually there as opposed to watching it on the telly. It gives the impression that the TV is about 500 miles long."

Andrew Christie, 37, also from Falkirk, said: "The close-up, mid-range shots were really effective."

And Deborah Morrison, 24, from Livingston said she could see herself getting really into football matches for the first time after experiencing the beautiful game in 3D. She said: "I've never been that interested in watching the footy but this made the atmosphere really effective."

This is great news indeed! While there was one report of a newspaper not liking it (metro.co.uk), it was very evasive in trying to explain why. I find those reports to be on the "contrary makes news" side of things as clearly patrons loved it (there were no quotes in the Metro piece from customers at all - just the lone reporter). Thanks for the heads up Matthew!

I take this all as a hearty endorsement of the format and venue possibilities! The screens will get larger of course (these screenings were on 47" LG S3DHD TVs - though Sky cannot air in true HD yet in 3D for both eyes). So if you lean more towards theatrical live 3D sports or those shown in pubs, it is not hard to see the parallax... err, parellel between them all - FUN! Stay tuned for more!!

Manchester United Vs. Arsenal... In S3DHD This Sunday In UK Pubs!!

**UPDATE: Jan 30 - The game will be shot with 3ality Digital's camera platforms and image processing software!

Jim here. Wow - this should kick start things! Not only is the BBC's rugby match (England Vs. Wales) being broadcast live to theaters across the UK next weekend, but now there is football! Manchester United and Arsenal will be battling it out via a stereoscopic 3D HD live broadcast of the football match on Sky Sports new S3DHD channel!! The difference is the BBC's rugby will be in theaters and Sky's will be in pubs on S3DHD TVs.

All of the football action is happening this Sunday in the UK with a limited selection of nine pubs outfitted with LG 47" LD920 S3DHD TVs (this is a actually a sneak peak - they won't be released until April). The pubs are located in London, Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh. April will see the launch of the S3DHD channel in HUNDREDS of UK pubs.

Further, the Sky 3D S3DHD channel will offer 3D movies, other sports, documentaries and other entertainment later in the year, along with the BBC's S3DHD efforts. It is important to note that the 3D content is available to Sky+HD subscribers for NO extra cost - initially at least. To read a FAQ about the channel, click here.

The pub locations are NOT being announced to control crowds and to allow regular patrons of the pubs to enjoy the game.

Says Sky Spokesman: “Eight specially engineered 3D camera rigs will house 16 of Sky’s high-definition cameras, to provide comprehensive stereoscopic coverage from all angles. The 3D broadcast will be supported by Sky’s dedicated 3D production team and purpose built 3D outside broadcast truck, which will enable live mixing between camera positions, slow motion replays and the use of innovative 3D graphics. There will also be a dedicated commentary team to support the 3D edit.”

As you know, The World Cup will also be shot in S3DHD this summer. And of course ESPN will have a their own S3DHD channel starting in June with their broadcast of the World Cup game between South Africa and Mexico.

My question is: Where is the NFL? Why haven't we heard from these guys yet? Even NBA or MLB action would look awesome in S3D. Hard to name a sport that wouldn't, actually. Now is the time guys to start ramping up for the 2011 SUPER BOWL in S3DHD! It is time for an official announcement :-)

3ality Digital is a sponsor of MarketSaw

ESPN's S3D Coverage of USC - Ohio State Game Continues Great Word Of Mouth

Jim here. The reviews have been stellar - live sports broadcasting is certainly here! Variety reports that the ESPN S3D coverage of the USC - Ohio State football game continues to get awesome word of mouth at the 3D Entertainment Summit taking place right now at the Universal Hilton.

The live 3D was handled by the ever present Vince Pace. His cameras are also being used in December's AVATAR (to name one of many projects) and if his schedule is any indication of the future of 3D - it's looking darn good.

From Variety: Random fans from the main floor were invited up to watch the S3D coverage for a few minutes. Most, if not all, were seeing S3D TV for the first time. Some 50 answered an extensive survey on their reaction from ESPN; we peeked at a few, and all of those were very positive. One fan was overheard to say, "It's really like being there," and another noted, "It's addictive."

Significantly, after a few minutes watching S3D, some would notice instantly when the broadcast picked up a flat shot from the 2D feed.

The Skycam, which flies above the action on cables, wasn't used for the coverage. There wasn't time to safety-test an S3D Skycam, but Vince Pace promises, "Next time, watch out."

Even live sports coverage, it turns out, is not immune from gimmick 3D shots. When sideline reporter Ed Cunningham found Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes on the sideline, he asked Holmes to show his championship ring to the folks at home -- and put it right into the camera. Sure enough, Holmes' hand seemed to extend out past the screen, drawing laughter and cheers from the ESPN Zone crowd. Think "Dr. Tongue's 3D House of Super Bowl Rings."

"I had talked to Ed before about not being afraid to have fun," Pace said. "It's a natural part of a 3D presentation to say hello to the camera that way." And, he notes with some pride, "Technically, it was pulled off perfectly."

Great to see more live sports broadcasts taking place and more than one company backing the technology to do so. 3ality Digital also does live sports broadcasting with one of their last efforts being the BCS Championship Game broadcast during CES in 3D.

I would like to see a ramp up of live 3D sports being pumped into theater screens, especially Sunday afternoons. Perhaps a drinking age crowd? Certainly makes sense for playoff season!

RealD To Bring 3D Alternative Entertainment Broadcasts To Theaters

New Product Will Add Live Event Display Technology to World’s Largest 3D Platform

RealD, the world’s leading outfitter of 3D theatres, announced RealD LIVE, a new product that works with the company’s Cinema Systems enabling RealD equipped theatres to display live event broadcasts from anywhere in the world in crisp, clear, fully immersive RealD 3D. With 3D films driving today’s record box office, RealD LIVE promises to open new 3D entertainment opportunities to the over 8,700 screens contracted to RealD with live alternative content broadcast capabilities for concerts, sporting events, theatre and more.

“Films presented in RealD 3D are driving today’s box office showing moviegoers overwhelmingly prefer the true-to-life entertainment experience of RealD 3D,” said Joe Peixoto, RealD president of worldwide cinema. “RealD LIVE is the next step in 3D entertainment, offering our thousands of exhibition partners around the world the ability to show spectacular live events on their big screens.”

Another technology leap from the world’s leading 3D entertainment company, RealD LIVE is a separate product that when connected to RealD Cinema Systems receives a broadcast signal and converts the stream to a format compatible with digital cinema projectors. RealD LIVE works with the company’s DLP® 3D solutions, the Cinema System and XL Cinema System, which is capable of reaching screens up to 80 feet in width, and with the Sony 4K compatible XLS Cinema System. With standard RealD cinema eyewear, audiences will experience the high quality, stunningly lifelike viewing experience RealD 3D is known for.

RealD LIVE will bring worldwide distribution to technology recently used for live broadcasts of sporting events to RealD equipped theatres in the U.S. RealD LIVE is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2009.

About RealD
RealD is the global leader in 3D, bringing the most advanced and realistic 3D experience to cinemas worldwide. RealD’s new generation technology, deployed across the world’s largest 3D platform with over 8,700 screens under contract and over 3,200 screens installed in more than 45 countries with over 200 exhibition partners, provides a high quality, stunningly lifelike viewing experience. Beyond cinema, RealD is the worldwide inventor and provider of key stereoscopic technologies used in science, manufacturing, marketing, and other industries, with thirty years of scientific development behind its systems. RealD’s mission-critical 3D visualization technologies are used by organizations such as NASA, Pfizer, BMW, Boeing and more. www.realD.com

RealD is a sponsor of MarketSaw.

Great Move: Broadway Is Going The 3D Way

Jim here. There is a new show in town - direct from Broadway. A new company known as Fugobi is actively working with 10 Broadway shows to shoot their productions in 3D for distribution to movie theaters. The theatrical versions will be shown in limited runs.

Fugobi has not announced which shows are the focus of these runs as of yet. However, the amNewYork article lists the producers name, Marcus Cheong - it doesn't take a genius to figure out his ANGELS THE MUSICAL will be one of them. "ANGELS tells the epic story of the ancient war between the Angels and Lucifer’s fallen minions."

I have been advocating 3D events for quite some time now - glad to see it happening on Broadway. I would go one step further though by showing opening nights in live 3D and charge double or triple for that show. Then keep showing the recording of that event for a 1 or 2 week window at normal rates.

3D Broadway shows should open up a whole new revenue stream for these productions and improve awareness of the timeless industry in New York City.

Source: amNewYork