UK's Sky to be first with dedicated 3D channel
updated 04:55 pm EST, Thu January 28, 2010
Sky to be the first with dedicated 3D TV channel
UK-based cable provider Sky will be the first to launch a 3D TV channel with its Sky 3D in April. The first live sport event shown in 3D will be the soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United. Only nine pubs in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin will be equipped with the hardware needed to play the 3D broadcast, however. One Sky Sports broadcast will be devoted to 3D live coverage of the event, with eight 3D camera setups.
Another broadcast will film the regular, 2D feed of the game. In April, the 3D channel will be added to hundreds of other pubs in the UK and will televise football games there. As 3D technology is brought into homes from big TV companies like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and Toshiba, Sky+HD customers will be able to watch 3D programs in their homes as well. Current Sky+HD set-top boxes are said to already be capable of receiving 3D content, with TVs and 3D glasses the only missing pieces of the puzzle. Initially, 3D programming will be free to Sky+HD customers.
Late last year, Sony promised it will cover the FIFA finals in 3D. [via T3]
