DirecTV Launches Nation's First Suite Of 3D TV Channels

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Ray
50.25% (Neutral)
Member Topic Starter

2010-07-03T02:01:24Z

Yep, it's really happening. 3D content is finally arriving on television sets, which is arguably the last major puzzle piece that in-home 3D had to solve. 3D glasses are here, as are 3D HDTVs. And there's at least some demand for having 3D support around in the home. But if there's no 3D programming to enjoy, what's the use in having the 3D hardware around? DirecTV was well aware of this, and now they're becoming the first major pay-TV provider to launch an actual suite of 3D channels.

ESPN 3D was the first actual 3D channel to go live with the start of the World Cup, but now n3D (which is being sponsored by Panasonic) will be a variety of 3D sports and entertainment programming to DirecTV customers. The channel will also be home to DirecTV's exclusive 3D broadcast of the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, while 3 channels in total will be hitting the airwaves. There will be a linear channel dedicated exclusively to 3D programming and viewable on 3D television sets including Panasonic's line of VIERA HDTVs (n3D), which will be slotted on channel 103 for now. Throughout the month of July, n3D customers will have access to exclusive, original 3D programming such as Guitar Center Sessions with Peter Gabriel and Jane's Addiction, as well as additional titles such as Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia, Wild Safari: A South African Adventure and N Wave Picture's S.O.S Planet, African Adventure: Safari in the Okavango and Encounter in the Third Dimension.

n3D will also offer special events such as this weekend's running of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400, the local broadcast of the Yankees-Mariners series on July 10-11 and the company's exclusive, national broadcast of FOX Sports 2010 MLB All-Star Game in 3D on July 13. In addition to n3D, DirecTV is also launching DirecTV Cinema in 3D on channel 104, which is currently offering IMAX titles Deep Sea 3D and Under the Sea 3D and n3D On Demand on channel 105, which is currently delivering replays of ESPN's 3D coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. Obviously, ESPN 3D has already been launched, completing the trio.

Will this mark the start of something huge? We'd like to think so, and if DirecTV can do it, we know those other carriers can as well. It's just a matter of time, as they say.

"The ability to bring high-quality 3D programming into the home is a huge advancement in the evolution of television," said Derek Chang, executive vice president of Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV. "Our innovative technology has allowed us to lead the industry in HD and we are continuing on that same path by establishing ourselves as the premier destination for the best 3D viewing experience available. We are proud to be partnering with Panasonic and are excited to deliver this new dimension of television to millions of DIRECTV HD customers across the country."

"This is a major milestone in the young history of 3D home entertainment and Panasonic is very proud to work with DIRECTV to bring consumers this new TV channel dedicated exclusively to 3D programming," said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman & CEO, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "We have launched our VIERA 3D TVs and Blu-ray 3D Player, and they have been very well received by consumers, but we know the key to the success of 3D for the home is the availability of content. The arrival of n3D powered by Panasonic underscores the fact that consumers will have access to a rapidly growing range of 3D TV programming including live major sports and entertainment events, as well as movies on 3D Blu-ray Disc in 2010."

Panasonic is the exclusive presenting sponsor of DIRECTV's n3D channel. In January at the Consumer Electronics Show, DIRECTV and Panasonic announced their plans to launch 3D TV channels and have since worked together to leverage relationships with programming partners and movie studios to obtain new and existing 3D content. For more information on DIRECTV's 3D channels please visit www.directv.com/3D.

Last month, DIRECTV HD customers received a free software upgrade enabling them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.

Panasonic is a global leader in the development of end-to-end Full HD 3D technology solutions including the world's first Full HD 3D video camera that records to solid-state memory, Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc authoring, and the award winning VT-25 Series of Full HD 3D VIERA Plasma TVs and 3D Blu-ray Disc Players. For more information on Panasonic's Full HD 3D technology, visit www.panasonic.com/3D.

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Inspector
50.25% (Neutral)
Member

2010-07-03T17:13:49Z

AWW, i don't have those channels... or a 3D television 😞. Looks like the 3D business is picking up, i might be forced to get a 3D television soon...

Nethersprite
50.25% (Neutral)
Member

2010-07-03T18:39:25Z

Inspector! Hold off on that 3D TV! And mostly anyone who wants to buy a 3D TV. I just saw a YouTube video that makes a lot of this pointless. Check it out:

I haven't tried it yet, but it makes sense since it converts 2D into 3D, provided you have a pair of basic red and blue 3D glasses. What do you think? (And sorry for kinda hijacking the thread, but this is definitely related.)

AKwyn
76.5% (Friendly)
Advanced Member

2010-07-03T20:33:45Z

Nethersprite, NVIDIA drivers also has the ability to do the same thing but also in Red & Blue. I don't know, I dislike having to wear red and blue glasses and also the 3D won't look as good as polarized. I would say the yellow and blue makes things a bit tolerable but not by much. I just wish there was a way we could use the RealD glasses we got from seeing 3D Movies and use them on our 3D Monitors, cause I personally think Polarized not only because we don't get headaches, but because the full color of the movie comes through even though it's darkened a little bit. Also I don't think it works for DirecTV so unless you got some device that changes signals from 2D to 3D, you're out of luck kid.

sackyhack
50.25% (Neutral)
Member

2010-07-03T21:10:13Z

I don't think I'll ever make the leap to 3D. Whenever I watch a 3D movie, my eyes need a 30 second break every 15 minutes or so because I feel like I'm staring at something really close. I can sit on my ass and play a game for several hours on end, so I don't think my eyes would last too long if I was doing it while staring at a 3D monitor/tv.

animatortom
50.25% (Neutral)
Member

2010-07-04T04:44:00Z

This reminds me of when HBO first started! And the only thing that was on was "The Hindenberg!" Ten times a day All day!

So now if you subscribe you get to watch Mosters Vs. Aliens ALL DAY LONG :P

mwvirk
52.25% (Neutral)
Member

2010-08-21T12:59:26Z

thnx for ur support.
now finally its clear that Q6600 will not be suitable for 3D
so can i replace my Q6600 CPU with:
INTEL CORE 2 QUAD Q9400 2.66GHZ (6MB CACHE - 1333MHZ FSB)
and is it working on Asus P5Q mobo
and same time can i change my RAM DDR2 to DDR3 with new CPU but on same mobo (Asus P5Q)
and can I replace my 8800GT to:
GTX470 GeForce PCX 1280MB (320-BITS) DDR5 EVGA

so final configuration will be:
Mobo: Asus P5Q
PSU: Thermaltake 750Watt
CPU: INTEL CORE 2 QUAD Q9400 2.66GHZ (6MB CACHE - 1333MHZ FSB)
GPU: GTX470 GeForce PCX 1280MB (320-BITS) DDR5 EVGA
RAM: DDR3 (4GB) (((help me what brand and bus speed is auitable for this config now - if not P5Q then what mobo to replace)))

and after that, is it ready for 3D ???

thanks again.

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