Sony and FIFA release more details on World Cup 2010 3D broadcast
By Richard Lai 
posted April 8th 2010 8:36AM
posted April 8th 2010 8:36AM
FIFA and Sony to launch first ever global 3D experience of the FIFA World Cup™
08 April 2010
• Schedule of the 25 games in 3D announced
• Sony to release the official 3D FIFA World Cup™ film on Blu-ray Disc in 2010
• Sony to produce and show 25 exclusive promotional trailers for the official 3D Film featuring images of the FIFA World Cup in 4,000 retail stores globally
• 3D live broadcast and public viewing to be made available at selected locations globally
• Sony 3D technology as the provider of cutting-edge next-generation 3D solutions
Following the initial joint announcement to make the world's first FIFA World Cup™ available in 3D, FIFA and Sony Corporation today unveiled insights into what the football fans around the globe can expect from this innovative undertaking to add a third dimension to the football viewing experience. Coinciding with the rapidly growing consumer interest in 3D fuelled by the release of blockbuster movie titles in 3D and impending launch of 3D TV sets for the home, the first ever FIFA World Cup™ in 3D will further capture the excitement for millions of football fans around the globe.
With a total of seven pairs of Sony's professional HDC cameras on rigs at every match (model: HDC-1500), the action on the pitch will be captured in a stunning 3D quality enabled through its proprietary multi-image processor (model: MPE-200) and 3D Outside Broadcast truck. Sony's cutting-edge processor, the only one in the market to date, makes an end-to-end workflow possible in the production process and automatically adjusts the depth-of-field to ensure an unprecedented and optimal 3D viewing experience around the world. Starting from the FIFA Confederations Cup last year in South Africa, Sony has been working on enhancing the 3D capturing of fast-moving football action and has since conducted a number of 3D filming trials in Europe.
3D filming will be realised at five out of the 10 FIFA World Cup stadiums: Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. 25 matches in total will be filmed and broadcast in 3D, which will include a carefully chosen selection of those games expected to attract most public attention, including the opening game on June 11 at Soccer City (South Africa vs Mexico) and the crowning final game on July 11 also in Johannesburg. Other games to be captured in 3D are:
1. June 11 16:00h RSA v MEX
2. June 12 16:00h ARG v NGA
3. June 13 20:30h GER v AUS
4. June 14 13:30h NED v DEN
5. June 15 20:30h BRA v PRK
6. June 16 16:00h ESP v SUI
7. June 17 13:30h ARG v KOR
8. June 18 16:00h SVN v USA
9. June 19 13:30h NED v JPN
10. June 20 20:30h BRA v CIV
11. June 21 20:30h ESP v HON
12. June 22 20:30h NGA v KOR
13. June 23 20:30h GHA v GER
14. June 24 16:00h SVK v ITA
15. June 25 16:00h POR v BRA
16. June 27 20:30h 1st B v 2nd A
17. June 28 16:00h 1st E v 2nd F
18. June 28 20:30h 1st G v 2nd H
19. July 2 20:30h Quarter finals
20. July 3 16:00h Quarter finals
21. July 3 20:30h Quarter finals
22. July 6 20:30h Semi finals
23. July 7 20:30h Semi finals
24. July 10 20:30h 3rd place match
25. July 11 20:30h Final
"The 3D feed from these 25 matches will be made available for broadcast on 3D channels, which can be enjoyed by consumers on their 3D-compatible TV sets in the comfort of their home, almost as if they were in the football stadium themselves," said Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA TV. "Whilst discussions with major broadcasters are ongoing, I am very pleased to announce the first confirmed partners for the 3D live broadcast, who are ESPN in the US and Sogecable in Spain. We expect further announcements to be made shortly," he added.
In line with FIFA's and Sony's endeavour to make this new exciting 3D viewing experience available to as many football fans as possible, a dedicated global 3D public viewing project will debut at this year's FIFA World Cup. Eight matches will be fed live to digital cinemas and selected venues in 3D HD quality around the globe. To this end, FIFA has appointed Swiss-based Aruna Media AG to manage the exclusive 3D cinema and entertainment venue rights for live games in 3D. Aruna plans to broadcast live 3D coverage of matches to around 26 countries and is in advanced discussions with several major markets.
Reaffirming its leading position at the forefront of the emerging 3D market, Sony is the key technological enabler of this new viewing experience and enhances the excitement of football fans, either watching a football match live in the stadium or enjoying a new 3D experience through 3D TV channels or at the public viewing events around the world. "Sony has long standing credentials in the creation of professional 3D technology and content for theatrical use," said Hiroko Saito, Deputy General Manager of Global Sponsorships, Sony Corporation. "True to our strategy 'From the lens to the living-room', we are actively involved at every stage of the 3D value chain and proudly draw on the strengths of the '3D World created by Sony', which encapsulates our expertise in professional solutions, consumer electronics, movie making and gaming alike. We are very excited to capitalise on these strengths and to be able to complement our compelling 3D proposition by bringing an entirely new viewing experience to the world of football through our partnership with FIFA," Saito added.
Complementing the 3D live broadcast and public viewing activities, the general public will also be able to exclusively enjoy the 3D promotional trailers shown on Sony 3D BRAVIA TVs in around 4,000 Sony-affiliated retail stores worldwide, including 200 Sony flagship stores (total number of Sony-affiliated retail stores: 1,500 in North America, 1,300 in Europe, 500 in Japan, 200 in Asia, 200 in Latin America, and 30 in South Africa). Furthermore, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment today unveiled plans to produce and distribute the official FIFA film in 3D on Blu-ray Disc this year.
08 April 2010
• Schedule of the 25 games in 3D announced
• Sony to release the official 3D FIFA World Cup™ film on Blu-ray Disc in 2010
• Sony to produce and show 25 exclusive promotional trailers for the official 3D Film featuring images of the FIFA World Cup in 4,000 retail stores globally
• 3D live broadcast and public viewing to be made available at selected locations globally
• Sony 3D technology as the provider of cutting-edge next-generation 3D solutions
Following the initial joint announcement to make the world's first FIFA World Cup™ available in 3D, FIFA and Sony Corporation today unveiled insights into what the football fans around the globe can expect from this innovative undertaking to add a third dimension to the football viewing experience. Coinciding with the rapidly growing consumer interest in 3D fuelled by the release of blockbuster movie titles in 3D and impending launch of 3D TV sets for the home, the first ever FIFA World Cup™ in 3D will further capture the excitement for millions of football fans around the globe.
With a total of seven pairs of Sony's professional HDC cameras on rigs at every match (model: HDC-1500), the action on the pitch will be captured in a stunning 3D quality enabled through its proprietary multi-image processor (model: MPE-200) and 3D Outside Broadcast truck. Sony's cutting-edge processor, the only one in the market to date, makes an end-to-end workflow possible in the production process and automatically adjusts the depth-of-field to ensure an unprecedented and optimal 3D viewing experience around the world. Starting from the FIFA Confederations Cup last year in South Africa, Sony has been working on enhancing the 3D capturing of fast-moving football action and has since conducted a number of 3D filming trials in Europe.
3D filming will be realised at five out of the 10 FIFA World Cup stadiums: Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. 25 matches in total will be filmed and broadcast in 3D, which will include a carefully chosen selection of those games expected to attract most public attention, including the opening game on June 11 at Soccer City (South Africa vs Mexico) and the crowning final game on July 11 also in Johannesburg. Other games to be captured in 3D are:
1. June 11 16:00h RSA v MEX
2. June 12 16:00h ARG v NGA
3. June 13 20:30h GER v AUS
4. June 14 13:30h NED v DEN
5. June 15 20:30h BRA v PRK
6. June 16 16:00h ESP v SUI
7. June 17 13:30h ARG v KOR
8. June 18 16:00h SVN v USA
9. June 19 13:30h NED v JPN
10. June 20 20:30h BRA v CIV
11. June 21 20:30h ESP v HON
12. June 22 20:30h NGA v KOR
13. June 23 20:30h GHA v GER
14. June 24 16:00h SVK v ITA
15. June 25 16:00h POR v BRA
16. June 27 20:30h 1st B v 2nd A
17. June 28 16:00h 1st E v 2nd F
18. June 28 20:30h 1st G v 2nd H
19. July 2 20:30h Quarter finals
20. July 3 16:00h Quarter finals
21. July 3 20:30h Quarter finals
22. July 6 20:30h Semi finals
23. July 7 20:30h Semi finals
24. July 10 20:30h 3rd place match
25. July 11 20:30h Final
"The 3D feed from these 25 matches will be made available for broadcast on 3D channels, which can be enjoyed by consumers on their 3D-compatible TV sets in the comfort of their home, almost as if they were in the football stadium themselves," said Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA TV. "Whilst discussions with major broadcasters are ongoing, I am very pleased to announce the first confirmed partners for the 3D live broadcast, who are ESPN in the US and Sogecable in Spain. We expect further announcements to be made shortly," he added.
In line with FIFA's and Sony's endeavour to make this new exciting 3D viewing experience available to as many football fans as possible, a dedicated global 3D public viewing project will debut at this year's FIFA World Cup. Eight matches will be fed live to digital cinemas and selected venues in 3D HD quality around the globe. To this end, FIFA has appointed Swiss-based Aruna Media AG to manage the exclusive 3D cinema and entertainment venue rights for live games in 3D. Aruna plans to broadcast live 3D coverage of matches to around 26 countries and is in advanced discussions with several major markets.
Reaffirming its leading position at the forefront of the emerging 3D market, Sony is the key technological enabler of this new viewing experience and enhances the excitement of football fans, either watching a football match live in the stadium or enjoying a new 3D experience through 3D TV channels or at the public viewing events around the world. "Sony has long standing credentials in the creation of professional 3D technology and content for theatrical use," said Hiroko Saito, Deputy General Manager of Global Sponsorships, Sony Corporation. "True to our strategy 'From the lens to the living-room', we are actively involved at every stage of the 3D value chain and proudly draw on the strengths of the '3D World created by Sony', which encapsulates our expertise in professional solutions, consumer electronics, movie making and gaming alike. We are very excited to capitalise on these strengths and to be able to complement our compelling 3D proposition by bringing an entirely new viewing experience to the world of football through our partnership with FIFA," Saito added.
Complementing the 3D live broadcast and public viewing activities, the general public will also be able to exclusively enjoy the 3D promotional trailers shown on Sony 3D BRAVIA TVs in around 4,000 Sony-affiliated retail stores worldwide, including 200 Sony flagship stores (total number of Sony-affiliated retail stores: 1,500 in North America, 1,300 in Europe, 500 in Japan, 200 in Asia, 200 in Latin America, and 30 in South Africa). Furthermore, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment today unveiled plans to produce and distribute the official FIFA film in 3D on Blu-ray Disc this year.
boy, can't wait to see Spain thrash Switzerland in 3D
@DariaMorgendorffer
Upranked for sarcasm worthy of your namesake.
@DariaMorgendorffer
No USA vs ENG?
@DariaMorgendorffer You meant "Brazil thrash someone in the final", right?
@travisonfire
I know! So the country who invented football and where most people watch and play it don't get any coverage in 3D until at least the quarter finals? But FIFA are smart aren't they. "I know. We'll put Argentine vs. Nigeria on for all those rich people who can afford 3D TVs in the third world!!!"
FIFA HATE ENGLAND! Rant over.
@DariaMorgendorffer
Daria Doesn´t lik sports
@ohmygosh82 Semi final and final matches of IPL (cricket) are going to be shown in 3D in some cinema halls in India. But, I don't know if they are broadcasting in 3d
Kewl! 2 out of 3 Dutch football games will be recorded in 3D!
I personally don't care about the Dutch team versus Cameroon since I won't be able to distinguish the countries anyway, seeing that I'm colour blind and orange and green look the same to me...
@HellFury
Wow, unfortunate colour mix!
At least there should be one distinguishing feature between the two teams - You guys will have have 11 quality players on the pitch, Cameroon will only have Eto'o...
@mattpez
Yeah well, unfortunately most players in the Dutch National team are dark, and guess the skin tone of Cameroon's players...
Anyway, the colour blindness i have isn't so special. 1 in 10 men have this, so...
Tim Tebow and Sony Sucks
Not a single England game in 3D? We invented the flippin' game! What's up with that!
@mattpez
Yeah what the hell is up with that? Serious missed opportunity by Sony and Fifa there..
@mattpez
Not even France, we won the cup in 1998, and we were finalist in the last one.
Damn
@mattpez
so you dont have much confidence in us getting past the group stages lol???
@thebettertwin
Even if we get past the group stage, our qualifier game isnt being covered (we are in group C)!
And if we manage to make it through there, there is one QF that isnt being covered - what's the betting it will be ours?
If we get through that, I dont think I will be too bothered about 3D coverage any more :p
@mattpez
hmmm i missed that there is one quarter final missing. tis a bit stange. couldnt watch it in 3d myself anyway even if it was being shown
@Mehdi6
Clearly you don't expect England to make it to the final, semis, or even quarters, which are all being played in 3D. That's ok. Neither does anyone else.
@thebettertwin
Me neither, I was just hoping for some coverage down the pub! We dont even have a 3D broadcaster to the public yet :(
@Putzy
now that Ferguson's fucked up Rooney's heel indefinitely, I don't expect England to go past group stage, unless Capello pulls some trick out
@mattpez That will be due to the stupid BBC and ITV not having 3D services stupid PBS
@mattpez not much. Still treading on the we invented the game thing huh? Unfortunately a lot of other countries perfected it.
@Mehdi6 France sucks. I think everyone can agree on that.
Efff 3D.... HD is fine!!!
@Raffstyle
You haven't seen a football match in 3D, have you.
@Raffstyle neither of them beat watching the game in real life.. :D
@Putzy
clue for you.. im from UK. 3D, HD, non HD,LIVE seen it.
I watched the Arsenal Man United game in 3d, and I have to say I was disappointed; partly because I'm a massive Arsenal fan and we were thrashed (sticking the score in massive 3D letters to rub it in didn't help) but mostly because it didn't really feel like I was at the game, it just felt like I was watching the game with a slight sense of nausea and a 3d effect that worked best if I didn't move my head rapidly, which gets disorienting if you reach for a beer and look back at the screen. I would like us to focus on HD with high bit-rates on Super AMOLED 50" screens before we buy into this 3d stuff to be honest.
@TC
Agreed, it seems like a massive fad to me.
Still, would be nice for England to be recognised with at least *some* coverage, right?
@TC
You know the those pub matches have been using polarising glasses rather than shutter glasses right? The TV and glasses technology is completely different and the shutter glasses method looks a million times better.
@TC Barcelona made omelet out of Arsenal 2 days ago :-) It was like boys vs. men. The boys put up a great fight but the men showed the class and true skills.
For a sec there, I thought Walcott was gonna break Usain Bolt's record :-) You have no choice but to agree the Gunners got lucky the 1st leg. It could have been easily 5-2. Me also thinks Cesc is bound to come to his homeland. He wants to win and winning always feels good.
@mattpez I'm more optimistic than you that England will get in the top 2 of their group! But yeah, I think 3D is a white elephant (at least until it goes all holographic without glasses) - unfortunately it's backed heavily by Rupert Murdoch, so you will see lots of publicity and 'news' articles in your papers suggesting that our tv's are old and antiquated and everyone is going 3d.
@xirsteon We were without the spine of our team through injury! (5 players!) Most Arsenal fans were thinking it would be at least 6 or 7-nil! Barca were without 2 defenders, but I think if I could choose 3 more of their best players to take out their side it would have been much more even.
@TC Still tho, Barca are just a better side as far as ball possession is concerned. How can you call it even (even if barca were missing 3 more) when you can't even borrow the ball for more than 45 secs?
Barca were also missing Iniesta, Ibrahimovic, Pique, Puyol, and Henry.
@TC Still tho, Barca are just a better side as far as ball possession is concerned. How can you call it even (even if barca were missing 3 more) when you can't even borrow the ball for more than 45 secs?
Barca were also missing Iniesta, Ibrahimovic, Pique, Puyol, and Henry.
@xirsteon
No matter how good Messi is though, he's still a cheat like all Argentinian footballers! Diving needs to stay in the swimming pool...
Finally, a topic that doesn't cause any trolling, flaming, and jibberish fanboyism.
Not so sure if I should be wearing my 3D glasses when i watch this on my desktop via the hidden closets of the tubes. I don't really trust ESPN in the U.S. They're so biased. Specifically, they've submitted to the American Football (NFA), NBA, college Football, NCAA that they give little rats about international soccer. The only time they excessively cover anything soccer is if U.S magically(luckily) beats another team by a margin. besides, to me, U.S is like a retirement place for international stars i.e Beckham, Henry, Raul.... most pple will agree with me.
Forget the England v. USA game, the USA are a pushover. The real question is, what on earth is FIFA thinking in not broadcasting a single England match. We being the people who not only invented the beautfiul game but established the well known rules by which all teams around the world, play by. Absolute travesty I say.
@Mr String Theory I don't think the USA will be as easy as that - Donovan proved at Everton that the skill level is not too far behind, and they have some good young pacy attackers now too. The US also bizarrely seems to produce a disproportionate number of great goalkeepers too, so although I'll back England for the win, I think there could be a scare.
@Mr String Theory yeah, if Ferguson keeps playing Rooney whilst injured he ain't coming to the World Cup and without him there IS NO HOPE.
@TC We have Donovan and Dempsey; but after that, the talent level goes over a cliff. I wouldn't worry about it. Unless the England squad manages to implode spectacularly (always a realistic possibility) you boys will get through the group just fine.
Finally, a topic that doesn't cause any trolling, flaming, and jibberish fanboyism
----------------------------
Clearly you dont kn ow football
Mexico is my team and of course they will broadcast one of theres since they are openning match! This is going to be a great summer, everythings happening and coming out this summer. I Can't wait!
P.S. The Gunners did take a beating by Barca, mostly Messi, I can't believe Arsenal played that poorly knowing how good they normally are and knowing whats at stake. But Barcelona is the shit and made them look like a bunch of school girls haha.
I will be cheering for Spain and Argentina no doubt!!
Hopefully for once we see Messi putting a show like he does when he wears Barcelona shirt.... thought i really doubt Maradona is the one that comes up with something....
Wow, FIFA really hate England, nearly every team in the top 20 ranking, apart from ...... England, come on Sepp let up.
sony..............rocks..................
FRANCE? who gives a shit about Spain vs Switzerland, or Brazil- north Korea, i'm sure France-Mexico will be more excitting!!
QUITE FRANKLY I DON'T GIVE A FLYING F**K ABOUT 3D SPORTS.
I HAVE HAD A FEW DRINKS BEFORE WRITING THIS AND I KNOW ITS A 100% FORE-GONE CONCLUSION THAT I WILL HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW DRINKS WHILST WATCHING THE WORLD CUP THIS YEAR!
IF ANYONE THINKS I AM IN THE SLIGHTEST BIT INTERESTED IN WATCHING THE FOOTY WITH A POXY PAIR OF 3D GLASSES ON THEY HAVE GOT ANOTHER THING COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE SCREEN WILL NO DOUBT BE BLURRY ENOUGH WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT LOOKING AT A SCREEN THAT LOOKS LIKE A BAD CASE OF COLOUR BLEEDING (WHEN I HAVE BEEN TO THE TOILET AND FORGOTTEN TO PUT MY 3D SPECS BACK ON).
FOR CHRIST SAKES SONY, FIFA ETC, GET A GRIP !?!??!?!
There's a huge expectation on Brazil's games, all three games of the qualifing are in the list as of the the game of the first of it group. If the team fails it gonna disapoint a lot of people.
Excellent just what I wanted to do! Watch these exciting matches with all my family and friends, of course only my 10 closest friends and family get glasses, because I only a $1000 to spend on the freaking $100 glasses! (extreme sarcasm included)
I'm still in the mindset until we get a non-glasses solution from a vendor, the Sony's and others of the world might as well save their 3D pitch for the niche markets/users.