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China to get its first 3D TV channel within weeks
Half a billion TV set owners could soon have the perfect excuse for an upgrade: a new 3D channel that has already started broadcasting on a trial basis and is due to launch officially over the Chinese New Year. Operated by China Central TV and a handful of local stations, it'll transmit 4.5 hours of free-to-air fuzzy red and green content each day, which can be picked up by anyone with a hi-def set-top box and a 3D TV. They won't have to watch it on a 71-inch 21:9 panel, but it'll certainly help.
CBS considering a 3D cable network?
So far the broadcast networks have been reticent to do anything when it comes to 3D, a bummer if you want to watch any of the content a network like CBS has locked up (pro football, NCAA Tournament games, prime time TV shows) in 3D on your new 3D TV. However, Multichannel News sources indicate CBS is considering a 24-hour pay-TV network that would air 2D-to-3D converted programming. Reportedly it's working with conversion technology from DDD, but another executive claimed everything was "very preliminary" so it's hard to know what details could be in place if it actually launches. We haven't seen any converted 3D that has us lusting over a post-converted version of CSI, but if this cracks open the door to live 3D sports simulcasts, we may be able to get behind it.
Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views
After DirecTV, Comcast has been among the most aggressive in pushing 3D programming, so it's no surprise to receive word it's begun scheduling round-the-clock 3D content on the Xfinity 3D channel just days after DirecTV launched 3net alongside ESPN 3D and its own n3D network. While viewers can tune in to see what's playing (mostly some documentaries and varied computer animated content) right now, the official kick off comes this weekend on February 20th when it airs the 2011 Tim Horton's Classic outdoor NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, followed closely by a Kings of Leon concert in Germany presented from MTV's library. After early 2010 featured a sparse lineup of one-off 3D events it looks like the channel guide is at least starting to fill up -- as to whether or not anyone is watching, Comcast also announced it's served up over 1 million views of 3D shows and movies over video on-demand with more sports, music and movies to come.
3net 24/7 3D channel launches this weekend, but only on DirecTV
The number of 24/7 broadcasting 3D channels in the US will go from one to three next week, now that Sony, Imax and Discovery have announced the launch of their channel, 3net, on DirecTV alongside its existing n3D channel and ESPN 3D, which will start looping its sports videos 24/7 on Valentine's Day. Scheduled to go live at 8 p.m. Sunday night on channel 107 it promises fresh debuts all month with a new show added to the rotation every night at 9 p.m. It's big promise is to "offer viewers the largest library of native 3D entertainment content in the world by the end of 2011" although any 3D TV owners who don't have DirecTV would probably just be glad if it got added to their channel lineups anytime soon, check the press release after the break for all the details.
Italy's Mediaset sends 3D content over terrestrial connection, isn't actually broadcasting 3D TV
While Mediaset appears to be (one of) the first to convey 3D content over a terrestrial connection, it isn't actually serving up any 3D television -- it is "datacasting" or ever-so-slowly downloading 3D movies to a set-top box, which you may later consume directly from the hard disk that received them. The innovation here is in the utilization of spare airwaves to basically trickle a movie into your Motive Bestv STB -- we know, it's an irrelevancy to most of you cable- and internet-connected media mavens, but it's one way to deliver 3D content to less technologically developed nations. Motive is already in talks with companies in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Turkey about doing the same, but Italy gets the honor of being first with a choice of 50 3D titles on Mediaset's 3VOD service. Let's see what the Azzurri think of it, eh?
Sony, Discovery and IMAX 3D channel dubbed 3net, adds a little more content before launch
Still without an exact release date, the 24/7 3D channel from Sony, IMAX and Discovery at least has a name now: 3net. It promises "the world's largest library of native 3D content" when it launches early this year and also had a few new selections -- Hubble 3D, In the Qube 3D and Wildebeest Migration -- to announce during Sony's presser yesterday. The press release is after the break but until there's a launch date announced the one detail we're really waiting for just won't be found.
DirecTV's new n3D channel is the first to bring home all 3D, all the time
DirecTV and Panasonic flipped the switch on the nation's first 24 hour 3D network this morning, sending n3D out on channel 103 to all properly equipped viewers. Of course, if you've got your 3DTV, your H21 or higher satellite receiver and some 3D specs, what will you be watching? Besides events like the upcoming NASCAR race from Daytona, an exclusive 3D feed of the MLB All-Star Game and (locally available) broadcasts of a Yankees/Mariners series, July's schedule is packed with demo content like Guitar Center Sessions with Peter Gabriel and Jane's Addiction and Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia. Beyond that there's a few IMAX flicks on the new DirecTV Cinema in 3D channel, and World Cup games from ESPN 3D through video on demand, check Zap2it for a full schedule but don't be shocked to see a lot of repeats, for now.
n3D channel launches 24-hour 3D broadcasts on DirecTV July 1
Just missing its projected June launch window, n3D will be introduced to the world by its proud parents, DirecTV and Panasonic, July 1 at 9:30 a.m. If you have DirecTV's HD service (plus a 3DTV and the right receiver, you'll be able to tune in once the switch is flipped at the launch even in New York City. In terms of content, concerts, documentaries and some sports are promised right away (at least a few posters on AVSForum are already able to watch some 3DVOD), although we're not seeing any specifics yet beyond the baseball and NASCAR broadcasts already announced. Whether you buy that this is a new era of entertainment of just a passing fad, we'd recommend staying tuned for more news from the launch event Thursday.
AT&T U-verse will have ESPN 3D at launch, for a fee
We're just two days away from the launch of the first 3D channel in the US, and U-verse will be ready. The third broadcaster to announce it will carry ESPN 3D after DirecTV and Comcast, it is the first to charge an additional fee for the privilege. $10 per month adds the "3D Technology Package" to your U-verse viewing options -- similar to Comcast and different from DirecTV's approach, it works with all the boxes but will require users to manually switch to 3D mode on their TVs -- which at the moment will consist only of ESPN 3D, although the company promises its goal is to offer a "wide range" of 3D content just like its current HD lineup (which it also charges an extra $10 to access.) Have U-verse but haven't shelled out for a 3DTV, glasses, and this new channel? There's still the Multiview app to look forward to, with four ESPN channels on screen at once and coverage in up to six different languages you won't miss a single flop or injured star player during the entire tournament, we promise.
Panasonic blows it out with 3D Blu-ray deck, HDTVs, channels and $21k camcorder
Had enough of the CES barrage? Nah. Panasonic just cut loose a few new releases of its own, with the highlight of the bunch being the planet's first integrated Full HD 3D camcorder. Dubbed a "professional" device, the camcorder won't be available to order until April, and it's expected to make the filming of 3D content easier due to having the camcorder itself, the lenses, camera head and a twin memory card recorder smashed together in a single body. Users will also find stereoscopic adjustment controls on the twin-lens, solid state-based system, and we're told that it'll automatically recalibrate itself sans the need for any external equipment. 'Course, the $21,000 MSRP is apt to turn away most everyone not being financed by a movie house, but hey, at least we're fairly certain it'll be reduced to a few bills by 2012. In related news, Panny is also partnering with DirecTV to launch a trio of dedicated 3D channels starting in June, and the two are already in talked with AEG, CBS, Fox Sports, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and TBS to develop additional 3D programming that'll debut between 2010 to 2011. Oh, and you'll obviously need a new setup to view said content, and that's where Panny comes in (again). The outfit unleashed a new range of 3D-capable (thanks, RealD!) Viera plasma HDTVs and Blu-ray 3D players, and all it takes to enjoy mind-melting 3D content in the comfort of your abode is "a stylish and lightweight pair of active-shutter glasses." Oh, joy. The complete line will be fleshed out later this Spring, with screen sizes ranging from 50- to 65-inches. In one of the most brilliant moves of the show, Panny's also including just a single set of 3D glasses with its multi-thousand dollar televisions, which is sure to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Sir Buyer who has to plop down an extra hundie or two to get specs for the whole family. At any rate, the DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray player will handle 1080p content in both the second and third dimension. The last bit is new partnerships with Netflix, Skype, Twitter and Pandora (among other outlets), all of which are being added to the Viera Cast library that's accessible on select Blu-ray players and HDTVs. Catch the full rundown after the break... if you dare. %Gallery-81797%
3D TV channel coming to UK next year, 3D-ready set and glasses required
We can still remember the days, not too long ago, that HD channels were but a sparse luxury. Now of course they're a dime a dozen, but you can still look onward to the next big thing, which BSkyB is wagering will be 3D. The satellite broadcast is gearing up to launch a 3D television station next year to showcase movies, and sports -- the latter of which we're thinking will be the biggest draw. Any customer with a Sky+ HD box can receive the transmission, but you're also gonna need to look past that ragged old flat-panel HDTV and instead use a 3D-ready set and glasses. We can't imagine a huge demand for this anytime in the near future, but if the technology does take off, they'll be more than ready to capitalize.
