Sky will show the world's first live 3D TV sports broadcast this weekend after being helped by the man behind the Hollywood blockbuster movie Avatar.
The broadcaster will screen the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United in 3D in nine selected pubs on Sunday.
Football fans in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin will wear special glasses to see the game in an extra dimension.
However, Sky has not revealed which pubs are involved, to avoid a stampede to see the game which might ruin the experience for the regulars.
The new technology helps to show the difficulties a rugby player faces kicking a conversion, the distance between sprinters as they cross the finish line and the skill and length of an incisive cross-field pass in football.
The clash at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium will be the public's first taste of live 3D football ahead of Sky's dedicated 3D channel which launches in April.
The broadcaster has been developing its 3D system for two years and its team even travelled to America to visit the pioneer of modern 3D cinema, Avatar director James Cameron.
Darren Long, Sky Sports director of operations, said: "James is a massive evangelist about 3D and he lives, breathes and eats 3D and just wants to see good 3D out there.
"For him, it was about how we were going to do it, what equipment we were going to use, what were our filming techniques.
"He's all about 'Get the message out there, get it out well and to the people properly'."
Mr Long dismissed the suggestion 3D sport was a gimmick and explained how the extra dimension gave viewers a greater appreciation of the action.
He said: "When you watch a golfer putting in 2D it looks flat - it looks easy.
"When you see it in 3D you can see every bump and contour on the green and you really appreciate their skill."
On Sunday, Sky will transmit two live feeds - one to its traditional Sky Sports customers and another in 3D.
Two separate commentary teams, two camera crews and two production teams will produce the simultaneous broadcasts.
Sky News senior correspondent David Bowden said: "In choosing this weekend's game, Sky steals a march on the BBC which had already announced it would show an international rugby match in 3D the following weekend.
"The difference is Sky's games will be shown on 3D television sets in pubs, whereas the BBC's offering is only in cinemas.
"Either way, the 3D bandwagon is well and truly rolling and the race is already on to get reasonably priced 3D tellies into the shops."
Sky is rolling out its 3D service with live sports, but also plans to broadcast movies, concerts and drama.
Bowden, who has previewed the new system, said: "It's definitely an entirely new viewing experience, but it may prove to be an acquired taste for some people.
"And you might have to explain to your bewildered neighbours why you are wearing sunglasses in your front room in the dark."
He added: "The next major obstacle for the broadcasters and set manufacturers alike is to persuade a recession-hit public who have just splashed out on their HD TV to start saving again for a new one capable of receiving 3D."
As the number of 3D TVs arriving in the UK increases, Sky promises to broadcast a weekly 3D Premier League game to hundreds more pubs this spring.
And in the home, its 1.6 million Sky+HD customers (figure from September 2009) will be able to watch the 3D channel at no extra charge.
Errr no. Manchester United is where it's at. I've always supported them, although I've never really liked football all that much. Should be a good game.
Errr no. Manchester United is where it's at. I've always supported them, although I've never really liked football all that much. Should be a good game.
Supreme you betta keep quiet or else i'll shoot you with cyclops beam!
Last edited by Cabdullahi; 01-30-2010 at 01:17 AM.
I saw Avatar in 3-d yesterday (2nd time, first time was in 2-d). It is a beautiful film which really does live up to the hype. I encourage everyone to go see it, although I understand the reservations Muslims might have considering the main characters are half-naked blue aliens!
Although I am not a huge footy fan, I now see the potential of 3-d and think it would be great for the sport, as long as it doesn't turn everyone into even more into coach (or desk) potatoes than they already are...
I'm with Supreme - United all the way!
I've not been to see avatar yet. Would be pretty awsome to see the football in 3D, it would also be kinda weird to walking a pub showing the game to see everyone looking up at the tv with those funny glasses on haha!
Fab site for sisters - Based in Midlands, UK Pearl Daisy
The hypocrite looks for faults; the believer looks for excuses.
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
Glory glory Man united,
As the reds go marching on on on!!!!.........
To my Akh's tryin to stay on their deen
It gets mean especially when u stay on the scene
And at the same try to stay out of trouble
But don't forget the blessing's in the struggle...
You gotta stay on your salats, your zakats, your Quran
Just like the busby babes in days gone by,
We'll keep the red flags flying high,
Your gonna see us all from far and wide,
Your gonna hear the masses sing with pride.
United, Man united,
We're the boys in red and we're on our way to Wembley!
Wembley, Wembley,
We're the famous Man united and we're going to Wembley,
Wembley, Wembley,
We're the famous Man united and we're going to Wembley
In Seventy-Seven it was Docherty
Atkinson will make it Eighty-Three
And everyone will no just who we are,
They'll be singing que sera sera
United, Man united,
We're the boys in red and we're on our way to Wembley!
To my Akh's tryin to stay on their deen
It gets mean especially when u stay on the scene
And at the same try to stay out of trouble
But don't forget the blessing's in the struggle...
You gotta stay on your salats, your zakats, your Quran
Need i say more LMAO. hmm come to think of it when the last time Arsenal picked up the Premier League trophy.............. hmmmm 2004 was it ??? can't remember seems soo far away ohh hmm when the last time they picked up any trophy ?? 2005 FA Cup wasn't it correct me if I'm wrong LMAO, only a joke brother
Last edited by S<Chowdhury; 01-30-2010 at 03:32 PM.
To my Akh's tryin to stay on their deen
It gets mean especially when u stay on the scene
And at the same try to stay out of trouble
But don't forget the blessing's in the struggle...
You gotta stay on your salats, your zakats, your Quran
Last edited by S<Chowdhury; 01-30-2010 at 03:55 PM.
To my Akh's tryin to stay on their deen
It gets mean especially when u stay on the scene
And at the same try to stay out of trouble
But don't forget the blessing's in the struggle...
You gotta stay on your salats, your zakats, your Quran
To my Akh's tryin to stay on their deen
It gets mean especially when u stay on the scene
And at the same try to stay out of trouble
But don't forget the blessing's in the struggle...
You gotta stay on your salats, your zakats, your Quran
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No! I think its an awesome idea! I love it!
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