sport
Latest
Arsenal fans could catch replays, live action on Sony's PSP
As we're confident that you know, one of the biggest downsides to catching an event in-stadium is the inability to see instant replays. Oh sure, a few venues play back sequences for the fanatics in attendance, but you'll still get a much better angle from the comfort of your own couch. English soccer club Arsenal is hoping to remove that obstacle from fans' minds by testing out an instant replay system with Sony's PSP. In theory, at least, a Sony-developed application would enable patrons to "watch live streaming video of a game, along with data and statistics, and provide the ability to watch near-instant replays." 'Course, we've already seen Bluetooth added to venues and a similar system as this installed at Safeco Field, but we still envision this being a hit if it's really rolled out within 18 months as planned.[Image courtesy of Panstadia]
Natsume has (Fish) Eyes for the Wii
Remember Fish Eyes? If not, you may be more familiar with its western name, Reel Fishing. The series has been staying very still and quiet in a tiny boat since 1996, popping out a new game every few years. It is the very antithesis of something like the mad, hyperactive Fishing Master: World Tour. This is serious fishing business.So far, the games have been met with a shaky critical reception, but that hasn't prevented Natsume and Marvelous from thinking Fish Eyes Wii might a good idea. Maybe it is, and the waggle factor will help reinvigorate the franchise! If the screens from the official site are anything to go by, Fish Eyes Wii appears to mimic previous titles in the series by using animated CG backgrounds. That doesn't guarantee a good game, of course, but it sure makes for a very purdy view.%Gallery-42369%[Via NeoGAF]
DirecTV provides best HD view of Grand Slam tennis tournaments
We tell ya, DirecTV has the cable carriers at their mercy when it comes to these Mix Channels. For tennis enthusiasts in particular, you'll be hard pressed to find a viewing setup superior to this. Starting on January 18th with the Australian Open, the company will be integrating ESPN2 and Tennis Channel feeds into its six-screens-in-one Mix Channel, and for the first time ever, it will all be in high-definition. Viewers will be able to see the network channel and five court channels on a single screen, with each screen providing its own audio stream. Better still, DirecTV subscribers can expect the same kind of coverage for the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open tournaments later this year. And don't be shocked to hear of something similar for the upcoming golf season -- we get the feeling DirecTV is really going for the jugular here.
BBC won't air Formula 1 in HD this season
So, here's the good news. Auntie Beeb will be covering the 2009 season of Formula 1 racing. The bad news? It won't be in HD, at least not at launch. According to a reply by Roger Mosey, the director of BBC Sport, the network will not be making F1 racing available in high-def, though he does confess to "wanting to." Yeah, we'd love to say his "I'll keep you posted" remark gives us overwhelming hope, but sadly, we can't. Prove us wrong, BBC -- we dare you.[Image courtesy of TheSun, via Digital Spy]
NHL Network to make 2009 All-Star event an HD affair
Hockey fans hanging on the edge of their seat to find out NHL Network's plans for the 2009 All-Star event can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The network has announced its intentions to provide 15 hours of live high-definition coverage surrounding the event, with the last few hours of those 15 containing the All-Star post-game highlights on January 25th. Oddly enough, it looks as if the full gamut of high-def coverage will only be available in the US, even though the game itself is scheduled to be played in Great White North. The full breakdown of coverage awaits you in the read link, and feel free to blow off some steam over region discrimination below.
Washington Nationals to see at least 100 games in HD
Last year, locals in and around the Metro DC area considered it a miracle that Washington Nationals games were broadcast in high-def at all. Now that MASN has had some time to get its act fully together, it's no wonder that fans are expecting more. This season, at least 100 of the club's games -- which will air on MASN or MASN2 -- will be shown in HD compared to just 40 last year, and of course, any that end up on FOX as national telecasts will also be featured in high-definition. Unfortunately, it seems that actually finding the game could be an issue for novice channel surfers, but all the details are ready for digestion in the read link below.[Image courtesy of NationalsClub]
Numericable brings Ushuaia HD / Eurosport HD to French subscribers
We heard that Numericable was planning to deliver a few new high-def channels to its lineup late last year, and while it has definitely taken longer than locals would have liked, it's hard to complain with new HD channels in Europe -- belated or otherwise. Effective immediately, subscribers interested in watching Ushuaia HD and / or Eurosport HD can select the Premium package in order to tune in, and we're also told that SciFi HD and 13th Street HD should join the party in the near future. In related news, a multi-year agreement between the cable carrier and TF1 will give customers access to TF1 HD, so yeah, even more reason for applause.Read - Ushuaia HD additionRead - Eurosport HD additionRead - TF1 agreement
NHL Network HD skates onto AT&T's U-verse TV
AT&T may be raising its U-verse TV rates, but at least it's showing subscribers that all those dollars aren't going to waste (or a bigwig's pocket). Starting this week, both NHL Network and NHL Network HD are being added to the U-verse TV lineup, but you'll need either the U400 tier or The Sports Package in order to view 'em. Catch the action on the ice right now on slot 1638 (HD) / 638 (SD).
Sky says 2012 London Olympics could be in 3D
Europe still isn't the place to be for limitless HD content, but London in particular could be a 3D extravaganza come 2012. The host city for the next Summer Olympics may be coming to your living room like never before, as Brian Lenz, head of product design and innovation at Sky, proclaimed that "there is a very good chance you'll see the London Olympics in 3D." The satcaster has already confessed to filming events in 3D, and given that the wide distribution of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in HD was all the rage, we suppose the third-dimension is the next logical step forward. Mirroring our own hopes and dreams, Lenz stated that what it really wanted was "glasses free technology." Here's hoping we inch closer to that at CES 2009.[Thanks, Ben]
Hands-on with Element Case and your chance to win a TUAW version
We get a small number of physical products to review around here, and the streets are thick with iPhone cases of every variety -- but Element Case stood out. These aren't generic leather or plastic cases, they are somewhat beefier plastic cases available with metal, carbon or wood accents and sporting magnetic "flip" lids. The added surface area makes it a little easier to play games, especially if you're getting cramps playing Fieldrunner all day. At the end of this review we've got a special-edition TUAW Element Case to give away.The phone is secure in the case because you have to unscrew the bottom of the case, slide the phone in, and put the screws back in. There are ports along the sides that allow you to access everything you'd normally need: camera, volume, sync cable port. You can't put the phone in the dock, however. The "flip" lid is a piece of plastic with magnets, and those magnets lock onto the screws. The lid attaches to the back of the case when you need access to the screen -- a nice design feature. I'm not sure all this protection adds any shock absorption, but the phone certainly feels sturdier with a rigid casing on the outside. For games, the added surface area was welcome, even more ergonomic. Speaking of the casing, you can choose a CNC-machined version with a base in aluminum alloy (fits first-gen iPhones), but my model was the "Liquid" edition, which is injection-molded plastic (fits both 1st-gen and 3G iPhones). There's a slightly fancier plastic model with some wood veneer on the back, plus a nickel-plated model and a very limited-run of the "CRG" model. The only problem with all this is that several of the cases are for the 1st-gen iPhone only (like the CRG), so you'll have to peruse the shop and see what's available. Essentially everything is limited-run, which adds to the cache value of your case, if that's your thing. No designer case would be complete without customization, and Element Case will custom-engrave a design on the lid or back of your case. %Gallery-39464%
Top 10 HD sports broadcasts of 2008 -- do you agree?
We know, they're essentially meaningless in the grand scheme of things, but there's something about these "top lists" that just warms our hearts. Arlen Schweiger over at Electronic House took a long, hard look back at all the sports he consumed over the course of this year in order to compile a best-of-the-best list for HD content. We don't want to give away any spoilers before you give the read link a visit, but let's just say "Texas tips Oklahoma," "Giants Freeze Packers" and "Celtics Return to Glory" are scattered about in there somewhere. And while we're on the subject, what's your top 10 high-def sports list of 2008?
HBS director scolds European broadcasters for shunning of HD
Finally, someone with a little sense. It's no secret that we aren't fond of the way European carriers are treating high-def. Rather than investing in more HD channels / bandwidth and waiting for the rush of subscribers, they seem to be waiting for the rush before coughing up any loot. Peter Angell, director of Production & Programming at Host Broadcast Services, has come forward to confess that he is "disappointed that UK and European broadcasters have not embraced HD; flat-panel sales have gone through the roof, [but] the bit that's missing is the broadcasting [of signals]." He continued on to urge these very broadcasters to look to MPEG-4 / H.264 distribution systems to combat the bandwidth dilemma, though we've no clue how much impact one man will have. In somewhat related news, we're also told that 3D for the 2012 London Olympics is "a possibility," but we'll go ahead and warn you not to bet the farm on that one. No harm in hoping, though![Image courtesy of Hexus]
Digitally Assisted Billiards makes everyone a pool shark
There's cheating, and then there's out-thinking the room. Georgia Tech's own Justin Needham and Matthew Straub are clearly headed for great things, as their Digitally Assisted Billiards is reason enough to give these guys a degree in our eyes. Using an array of low-end kit -- just an eBox 2300 embedded computer, Logitech webcam, 4- x 3-foot mirror, a VGA projector, pool table and a few extenders -- the two were able to concoct a system for visually displaying the expected trajectory of all possible shots based on the location of the balls still on the slate. For a much better idea of what we're hinting at, check the demonstration video after the break.[Via Hack-A-Day]
South Africans to see 2010 World Cup in HD after all?
We were completely and utterly dismayed after hearing that South Africa -- the host nation of the 2010 World Cup -- would not be able to catch the action in high-def in its own backyard. Thankfully, it seems that someone with some clout was able to change all that, or at least that's what we've gleaned from a recent writeup praising the country's sole HD channel (DSTv). Put simply, the writer states that "all [2010] World Cup games will be televised in high-definition," and he also states that locals can catch said HD action "on big screens at one of the many fan parks that will be dotted about the country." We're sincerely hoping these fan parks come to fruition -- can you imagine the excitement of a people experiencing HD for the first time as they watch the beautiful game?
Cinedigm to bring NBA All-Star Saturday Night live in 3D to theaters nationwide
It won't be the first 3D NBA experience of all time, but it will be the first of this magnitude. Cinedigm is teaming up with the league and Turner Sports to showcase the 2009 All-Star Saturday Night in Live 3D HD to some 80 theaters across the US. Hailed as the "first-ever marketed and commercially viable (open for sale to public) live movie theater broadcast of a major sporting event," the spectacle will be available on over 160 screens in 35 states. As of now, pricing information remains fuzzy, but you'll have to either roll solo or hope your lady friend(s) really loves Kobe given the terrible, terrible February 14th show date. Way to think that one through, NBA. Full release is after the break.
High-def found to increase ratings in sports programming
Go ahead, pick your jaw up off of the floor. We'll wait. On the real, you can't possibly be surprised to hear that high-def makes sports entirely more palatable, and a recent Nielsen study on the matter has found that HD broadcasting of sporting events has increased ratings on those very events by quite a margin. The numbers show that at least 22% of US households receive HDTV programming (up from 10% in September 2007), and its ratings for TV sports are 20% higher than the US overall. Even though we know the answer (or, so we think), we'll pose the question to you -- are you more inclined to tune to sports if an event is in HD?[Via SED-HDTV]
ESPN recommends dropping HDTV to weather tough economy
Wait a second, read that headline again. Got it? Has it sunk in? Awesome. ESPN, the self-proclaimed worldwide leader in sports and true pioneer in getting even some of the most obscure events known to man in HD, has let DJ Gallo go right off the deep end. In an article titled "Financial tips for sports fans in a troubled economy," he first recommends to sell your old playing cards -- you know, since hordes of people are out in this economy trying to snap up Topps collections plastered with middle-aged athletes on them. The second recommendation is the most astounding: "Drop your HDTV package." We can't help but think that he's totally joking here -- a sports website telling hardcore sports fanatics to ditch high-def? Talk about a reason to chuckle.
World Table Tennis Championships get HD coverage -- can it get any better?
You know high-def is well on its way to "arriving" when the World Junior Table Tennis Championships secure HD coverage, don't you? While the vast majority of you will likely laugh this off as some sort of promotional stunt, we can't help but be pleased at what this could signal about HD adoption overseas. For the first time in the history of the tournament, viewers in Spain with access to the high-def version of Canal+ will be able to see the team and individual finals in astounding clarity. Negotiations are currently underway to get the HD feed beamed out to more nations, and even if you're completely disinterested in the sport, you should probably hope that pans out.
Lowrance's HDS-5 / HDS-7 high-definition chartplotter systems make fish scared
If you reckoned high-def was confined to the living room and / or theater, you've got another thing comin', partner. Lowrance has just introduced two new GPS-Chartplotter and Fishfinder combination units, both of which are the first on the market to combine "high-definition chartplotter capabilities and Lowrance's Broadband Sounder functionality into a compact, easy-to-install system." Of course, you won't be able to really take advantage of the HD inclusions on the 480 x 480 (HDS-5) / 640 x 480 (HDS-7) displays, but maybe the definition of "high-definition" is different on the lake. Hmmph.
Live NFL broadcast to air in 3D as "proof of concept"
As the NFL gobbles up even more market share in the United States, it follows logic to see the next big in-home entertainment push side with it in order to garner attention. With every company and its third subsidiary twice removed trying to shove 3D into the home, we'd say starting with the NFL is a brilliant move. In a closed-to-the-public "proof of concept" demonstration, next week's matchup between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders will air live in 3D to select theaters in Los Angeles, New York and Boston. Third-dimension mainstays 3ality Digital and RealD will play critical roles in the delivery, though it remains unclear what exactly the NFL and 3D backers in general plan to do afterwards. If you'll recall, this isn't the first pro sporting event this year that was beamed in 3D to nearby theaters, but we can't think of anything more appealing than 300-pound gentleman crushing each other just inches from your retinas. [Thanks, Jesse]
