NFL in 3D: Good technology overcomes bad entertainment

Simmer down athletic supports, we didn't just call your beloved NFL boring. But Thursday night's matchup between the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers wasn't going to generate this much interest on its own. As described by the LA Times who attended the 3D broadcast of Thursday night's "football" game at Burbank's 3ality Digital cinema,

"The experience wasn't jaw-dropping, but it was noticeably better than a conventional broadcast. The game was drama-free, yet the novelty of 3D made it hard for me to take my eyes off the screen... The effect was subtle at times, but just as compelling as in "U2 3D," 3ality's concert film of the Irish rockers. The most striking thing in both cases was how much more you could see in three dimensions than in two."

The event wasn't glitch free, however. Two hiccups caused the satellite feeds to go black in Boston, New York, and LA. and a few quick camera pans and poorly executed transitions had viewers convulsing behind their polarized glasses. As a proof of concept though, viewers generally seemed impressed which means more of this in the future.

[Via Yahoo]

[Rekit @ Dec 5th 2008 2:17AM]

those people all look really cool

[who? @ Dec 5th 2008 2:25AM]

The NFL is NOT boring dammit!

[pradeep @ Dec 5th 2008 2:27AM]

NBA...yeaahh...!!!

[Gary @ Dec 5th 2008 2:31AM]

PRON!!!!!

[Your Name @ Dec 5th 2008 2:41AM]

Yes!!, but I'm afraid that I do *not* want to see some guy's johnson poking out of the screen at me. Ladies only, thanks.

[alexmueller @ Dec 5th 2008 11:53AM]

One of the first comments, according to the commentators: "More cheerleaders."

I think it's inevitably going there.

[Chris Are @ Dec 5th 2008 2:37AM]

Umm, yeah this game wasn't supposed to be boring because the NFL is boring... It was supposed to be boring because the Chargers are a big bag of disappointment this season and the Raiders suck.

But this technology sounds interesting.

[Bufsabre @ Dec 5th 2008 3:14AM]

i dont think theres a way to put it better than that

[Uncontrol @ Dec 5th 2008 2:43AM]

this looks stupid as hell

[Cash @ Dec 5th 2008 2:57AM]

Yeah, it would take 3D to make Bono's wrinkled ass interesting. Does anyone even give a shit about U2 anymore?

[Kelmon @ Dec 5th 2008 3:07AM]

"Simmer down athletic supports, we didn't just call your beloved NFL boring."

I'd be a lot more inclined to watch the sport if they didn't stop playing every 20-seconds for tea-break and to change their teams. Sorry, but it is far too slow as a game.

[Chris Are @ Dec 5th 2008 3:17AM]

Totally agree w/ ya there buddy.

I don't know if this is where you were going w/ that, but I think hockey is FAR more interesting than football. Maybe it's an acquired taste, but it's constant action- especially w/ the "new" NHL.

Just my thoughts. :-)

[Hackettman @ Dec 5th 2008 10:58AM]

Yeah but one thing I dont like about this is being in the bar when I see a game (baseball hockey whatever... rugby even). Football though with all its ope air time gives you a chance to refill that beer or talk to the girl at the end of the bar.......

Only thing you can do in the 3d session sadly is laugh at the guy who looks alittle more stupid than you do......

Love the idea of the tech though..... If properly implemented it can finally giuve a reason not to pay $346123875482375487534 for seats in the stadium.....

[Patrick @ Dec 5th 2008 3:32AM]

I was at the Los Angeles show, and I have to say it was very cool. I think I may have ruined for regular TV forever. It was like looking through a window onto the field, except with all the graphics hovering right in front of me.

A lot of people didn't seem to like the camera angles because they were largely from field level, but having watched many football games from the field, I loved it.

The only bad thing was when they changed cameras, your depth perception was off momentarily, it was a similar feeling to looking at a magic-eye poster. I'm sure I could get used to it over time, as I have with many other new viewing experiences, and with added practice/coordination this problem could easily be alleviated.

Also, the 3d TVs they had setup were even better looking than the theater.

[MacDoc @ Dec 5th 2008 5:42AM]

What is this 1955 all over again?

Who is U2??

[Evan @ Dec 5th 2008 8:24AM]

Aren't the telephoto lenses used in football broadcasts going to mess with the perspective effect?

[Ivan @ Dec 5th 2008 10:24AM]

is it me or is everyone crossing their arms, except the guy who actually thinks he's in the game?

why is there a guy with a mic? what is he whispering?

I WANT ANSWERS!

[little guy @ Dec 5th 2008 11:51AM]

NFl is clearly the shittest sport ever to have been thought of. Football is way better, soccer to you americans.

[smoody @ Dec 5th 2008 12:35PM]

it's "NFL" jackass. The only good thing about soccer is that you can go get a beer and NOT miss anything exciting happen!! Oh yeah, getting to kick the crap out of a wimpy soccer fan is pretty cool too!!

[Erick @ Dec 5th 2008 1:34PM]

Why do you soccer America haters always trashing on a completely different sport? Is your johnson that short?

[Paulmichael @ Dec 5th 2008 4:06PM]

The only fun part of soccer would be hearing the inevitable "GGGGOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" once or twice a game, if you're lucky.

[miko34 @ Dec 5th 2008 1:42PM]

Now, just get rid of the "having to wear 3D glasses" part to watch 3D and I'm sold.

Isn't Philips developing that?

[PcH @ Dec 5th 2008 3:07PM]

Finally, another geek that thinks NFL is the most boring sport