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3DTV: Big disruption in live sports ahead

By | January 6, 2010, 3:38 AM PST

One of the more interesting stories out of the consumer electronics show is the emergence of 3DTV and networks to go along with them.

HDTV has its appeal, but 3DTV could be a real step forward. And the biggest market that will be disrupted: Live sporting events.

How so?

If there’s a 3DTV experience that puts me in the game and gives me the depth perception so I can feel like I’m recovering a fumble, catching a pass or getting a hit why would I ever go see a game live?

Even today you go to a sporting event and you miss a lot of bells and whistles such as the replays, commentary and ability to multitask. You can’t replace live, but with 3DTV you get a lot closer.

ESPN sees the opportunity. It launched a 3DTV network for the World Cup. Simply put, 3D home entertainment is going to be a big trend.

Obviously, some folks will still see sports live. ZDNet’s Rachel King says:

I cannot wait to watch college football in 3D, especially since it’s so rare that I actually get to see a game in person. Of course, it will never be the same, but it will be a whole new experience. If only this were here in time for the Winter Olympics next month. Imagine someone doing a triple axel right through your living room.

My hunch is that Rachel’s attendance at live games will go from rare to not at all.

On the economic front, 3DTV will be very disruptive to live sporting events. Live events are tough on the wallet—there’s the ticket price, parking and concessions to ponder. For a family a four, you’re looking at least $250 just to check out a pro game. That’s why minor league baseball is the best deal in the world.

This 3DTV revolution won’t happen overnight. Consumers aren’t going to buy in right away—at least until pricing and early adoption tech issues are worked out. But when you weigh 3DTV vs. the traffic and cost the couch will win in most circumstances going forward.

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Larry Dignan

About Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is editor-in-chief of SmartPlanet.

Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan

Editor-in-Chief

Larry Dignan is editor-in-chief of SmartPlanet and ZDNet. He is also editorial director of TechRepublic. Previously, he was an editor at eWeek, Baseline and CNET News. He has written for WallStreetWeek.com, Inter@ctive Week, New York Times and Financial Planning. He holds degrees from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and the University of Delaware. He is based in New York but resides in Pennsylvania.

Follow him on Twitter.

Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan
Larry Dignan does not hold any investments in the companies he covers.
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RE: 3DTV: Big disruption in live sports ahead
Then there is also the "standards" issue until one wins out, be it the better or just from the bigger player (think Blu-Ray Vs HD-DVD, VHS Vs Betamax and so on) including the expenseo of yet another TV or additional equipment.

My Mitusbishi DLP HDTV does support 1 flavor of 3D. Have not tired it though, no content for me & the additional expense of the glasses. (not the old red/blue ones)
Posted by jhimes
6th Jan 2010
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RE: 3DTV: Big disruption in live sports ahead
I have seen numerous recent 3D movies and am familiar with the technology....
Some content.. 3D is impressive.
Most content.. 3D isn't impressive.

reason: the normal 3D experience (depth perception) of humans is dominant with distances of less than 15 feet from objects.
There is very little (real) depth perception beyond 30 feet ... because the angular information (visual differences) derived from two eyes only - 2-3" apart cannot be discerned.
"Learned" sizes of objects become the dominate method the brain uses for determining depth at the longer distances.

Unless we get 3D content being recorded inside the game (player's perspectives)... I don't see any value in going to 3D.
Posted by jrlambert
6th Jan 2010
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RE: 3DTV: Big disruption in live sports ahead
Ok first point, people often attend live sports events to be there, to mix with people and be part of the crowd! And for the hostory of attending something historic!

Next, you can't generate the 'atmosphere' of a sporting event without being present.

And lastly, present 3D technology is not very advanced. perhaps if virtual reality helmets using 3D provided a more immersive experience?

But so many people like actually attending! You often see much more of what is happening and from different viewpoints on 2D TV but people still attend matches etc!
Posted by chaz15
12th Jan 2010
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RE: 3DTV: Big disruption in live sports ahead
Post #3 by chaz15 said it all. But I will agg that people will still go to games to experience the game live - the crowd, the cheering, the beer and peanuts, or cotton candy. The potential fist fight with obnoxious cub fans. How can you beat all that with a TV?

Answer: not even close.
Posted by lower88rider
12th Jan 2010
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Written like someone who has never attended a live sporting event.
It is pretty clear, Larry, that you are not a frequent attendee at
live sporting events. First, as already stated, people attend live
events for the social interaction. Sitting in your living room and
making trips to the kitchen is not even remotely close to the
tailgate events that surround major stadia, at least here in
Pittsburgh.
In addition, you write:
"Even today you go to a sporting event and you miss a lot of
bells and whistles such as the replays, commentary and ability
to multitask. You can?t replace live, but with 3DTV you get a lot
closer."
Again, clearly you have not attended a modern, live, major
sporting event. Replay is available to all on the Jumbotron, and
many people bring along portable sets for more up close
viewing. Many people, at least around here, also bring along a
radio to catch commentary. "Turning down the sound" it is
referred to around here. In fact, many people also do the same
thing when watching the game on TV, since they prefer the
more descriptive radio play by play to the more colourful, less
interesting TV back chatter.
It is entirely unclear what you mean by losing "the ability to
multi-task." I can multitask at a stadium just as well as at
home. Sure, I can't go to my room and check on the dog during
half time, but neither can I go to the concession stand or the
various shops and activities at the stadium if I am in my living
room. All you are saying is that I can't do things around my
house when I am not at home. How is this useful information?
In the end, your argument is pretty much EXACTLY the same
argument made about regular SDTV when sports were first
broadcast. Pundits decried the end of major professional sports
due to the disappearance of event attendees. In fact, as history
has shown, the exact opposite effect occurred, spurring interest
in the game among a much broader segment of society. I see
no reason to expect that 3DTV would result in anything
different.
Posted by DeusExMachina
12th Jan 2010
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RE: 3DTV: Big disruption in live sports ahead
technology is moving so fast it's getting very difficult for the average bloke to keep up,what will they come up with next. and also you buy something today which is the latest like just the other day I went out and bought a hdtv and today I'm already thinking about how cool it would be to buy a 3dtv.
Posted by j...r...
19th Jan 2010
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