OT - ESPN 3D

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4796555

ESPN is going to launch a new network that will broadcast live sporting events in 3D. If they use the same technology as James Cameron's in AVATAR then this could be pretty cool.

[chuckleslove]

Read about this earlier today, not sure how I feel about it. I wear glasses so it is awkward to wear 3d glasses on top of my regular glasses. To me for the most part it is more of a "cool' thing, for something like Avatar it was used very well to bring the world to life but I don't see how it will add as much to sports but I could be wrong.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I'd be curious to see what this 3D technology is like on a smaller screen like a 30 inch tv. I have a feeling it isn't really worth it unless you are watching on a large screen, like 50+ inches.

[chuckleslove]

I don't know, smallest TV I own is 46" so it won't matter much to me in that regards

I do agree though, I think on smaller TVs, non HDTVs, this technology probably won't be best on older TVs would be my guess as well.

[MickeyDavis]

It won't work with any current HDTV's, there are new ones coming out that support 3D. No word on how much more they will cost with the 3D technology built in. DirecTV will also be starting up a 3D channel this year.

[MikeIsGood]

It won't work with any current HDTV's, there are new ones coming out that support 3D. No word on how much more they will cost with the 3D technology built in. DirecTV will also be starting up a 3D channel this year.

Is 3D-ready different from built-in? I guess I'm not sure on the wording of it all and what exactly is coming out in the future along these lines, because to be frank I haven't been all that interested in the technology, but there have been 3D-ready TVs available for a couple years now. I'm pretty sure Samsung was the first to debut 3D-ready TVs. I also know I've seen Mitsubishi advertisements of 3D-ready TVs. They're obviously more expensive, and I believe are only DLP or plasma.

[MickeyDavis]

There is some uncertainty about that. Just as when HD was new there were "HD Ready" TV's and that was confusing too. I read an article somewhere today that said you "may" have to have a special receiver from your provider. But maybe that can also be built into the TV.

[Ryan5UW]

Interesting. I think 3D is cool as an every once in awhile thing for a movie or tv show (I remember NBC had a few in 3D a year or two ago) but an entire network in 3D might be a bit too much.

On the other hand, if Skinemax went 3D, now we're talking!

[MikeIsGood]

Wilbon: 3D ESPN is stupid.

Kornheiser: 'Most of the time I'm laying around my house watching TV, I'm naked.'

Riiiiight.

[chuckleslove]

How exactly will you need a special TV? I've already watched a few shows in 3D on my current Samsung TV. In particular last year NBC did a full episode of Chuck in 3D.

As a side note, the show Chuck is very loosely based on an adaptation of my life, I'm just that awesome

[MickeyDavis]

The Chuck 3D episode last year was using the old 3D technology. This new technology won't work on existing TV's.

[chuckleslove]

Yeah I just went and did some reading about the new up and coming technologies that won't require the glasses and such. I'm buying a new TV soon might have to do some major research change before I spend my money.

[aaprigs311]

Figures. I'm legally blind in my right eye so this is unfortunately irrelevant to me.

[Wade-A-Holic]

Supposedly all the major TV manufacturers have had this technology for some time and they've just been milking the LCD/Plasma HD market for all it's worth before releasing it. I guess that's nothing new in the world of electronics, though.

[chuckleslove]

Plenty of other industries have held back technology to milk profit margins If anything I would say electronics have done it less so than other markets outside of TVs, the computer technology market is constantly pushing forward as fast as it can. The whole LCD/Plasma price fixing, holding back thing is very sketchy to say the least.