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State of Origin goes 3D

3D Television arrives faster than we had anticipated, with Nine set to air 3 State of Origin games in 3D to viewers in Sydney in a world-first broadcast.

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In a world-first, the Nine Network will broadcast State of Origin games in 3D to viewers in Sydney.

Nine has been temporarily allocated spectrum by the Federal Government for the matches, the first of which takes place on May 26th.

Around 750 3D television sets at $2500 each have been sold by Harvey Norman, which is a retail partner in the landmark event. It will open the doors to its stores on the night to allow others to experience 3D. Viewers will need wireless-enabled, active shutter glasses to watch the games.

Nine’s broadcast will be the first sporting event ever to be broadcast live in 3D on free-to-air television, ahead of the FIFA World Cup which had been widely tipped to become the first 3D terrestrial broadcast.

Nine CEO David Gyngell said, “It’s early days of course because the technology is still developing, and its availability to consumers right now is limited. But 3D is about to arrive with a bang across the world, and the Nine Network and Harvey Norman want to pioneer the revolution in Australia.

“Capturing an event in 3D involves different camera positions and viewing angles. Because 3D carries a level of emotion and involvement beyond regular HD, it can literally put you in the best seat in the house. Our experienced Wide World of Sports producers and directors will be working to harness this new technology and develop the coverage leadership for which they are renowned.”

All three State of Origin matches will be captured in 3D. Nine is working with ACMA to extend the broadcast into other capital city markets.

Senator Stephen Conroy said: “I welcome this initiative to provide to Australian viewers the first glimpse of 3D television. This trial broadcast will demonstrate the potential of 3D TV and the enhancements enabled by digital technology.”

Nine is understood to be flying in 17 technicians to oversee the event.

48 Responses

  1. @ Michelle ….. Everyone knows that a new 3d tv will be out of reach at the moment, but as they have said it will be broadcast in 2d for people just like you. Also when you said “so what now we have to get another devise that will drain on our forever increasing electricity bills as it is….” my samsung series 8 uses 1/3 of the power used by my previous series 6, so if you use your tv as much as we do in my household in the long run it is a good investment.

    Im over hearing people complain about it either jump on the bandwagon or dont, we dont need to hear your numerous stupid ideas why 3d’s terrible and a cash grab by samsung and harvey norman

  2. So does this mean that the average Joe that struggles at the very best of times with a family, school fees, High Mortgages or Rents etc cant sit and watch the State of Origin without a 3DTV…. I don’t want to watch in 3D, I don’t want to purchase a 3DTV. I want to watch on my normal every day TV that I have not had for that long because I was told I would need to replace my TV to watch HD. I do not want be bullied into something I cannot afford….. I have had enough of being told that if you don’t get then you will not be able to view.. we are all preparing for the digital change over…. so what now we have to get another devise that will drain on our forever increasing electricity bills as it is….

    Maybe we all need to go back to the old days.

  3. Stan, because no one likes silverplatterville

    On the topic of 3D TV, how many Australians are realistically going to have a 3D TV by the time the first State of Origin is broadcast? Not very many. So it kind of defeats the purpose.

  5. @ Jason D.

    Thanks, makes sense. I’m sure there are distinct differences between the technology which permits viewing without glasses and those requiring glasses. Perhaps even in the same TV set, but different settings.

    Personally, I don’t particularly favour long periods of time watching 3D content, i.e. very long movies, but shorter content, such as TV shows, would be an interesting experience. I did try that with the 3D episode of Chuck, but the effects was terrible. Good storyline though.

  6. This is a very interesting article for anyone wanting to know something about 3D without glasses
    3dubiquity.com/index.php?/archives/169-3D-without-glasses.html

  7. @Benno

    I’ve never seen it work either, however, the 3D sets which don’t require you to wear glasses have some sort of additional plane of glass in front of the image. Essentially, the TV is wearing 3D glasses instead of the viewer and you’re looking through it.

  9. Just helped to initiate a 3D Demo at a WOW store and having installed Televisions and Designed and installed MATV Systems for over 30 years I get asked a hell of lot what I think of all sorts of technologies.
    I must admit apart from a visit to the IMAX theatre in Sydney some Seven years ago my only previous experience with 3D was Amittyville horror 3D back in the mid Eighties.
    The first thing that became apparent was the USB demo plug that Samsung provided with the 3D content on it was not capable of a quick enough transfer rate and only played for 5 or 6 seconds at a time before locking up.
    It was pretty quick visit on my part and I wasn’t sure if it was just a Dodgy USB stick or if Samsung are using USB 3.0 Technology with a USB stick,either way it was very much compromised
    The point I would like to make though when it worked was the Quality of the soccer demo and how I instantly though how great it would be to watch a State of Origin once working properly.
    Having no great expectations I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw and can’t wait until the Demo Blue-ray player arrives this week.
    The ACCC ruling regarding Samsungs false and misleading Advertising of “LED” technology does not seem to have had any affect as the misleading LED signs were everywhere even though it is only a LCD TV with LED edge lighting.

  10. One thing that doesn’t make sense to me is how 3D can work without the glasses. Anyone seen this work?

    @ darthfyer

    “And with a potential audience of 750 viewers, what’s the point? ”

    It helps to drive the innovation and adoption process. If that mentality existed when TVs were invented, then the market wouldn’t have taken off!

  11. Has Tracy Grimshaw let out a scoop?

    I’m sure she said on ACA tonight that we will be able to see Avatar on channel 9 later this year. Is this true? Will it be broadcast in 3D?

  12. World first for terrestrial in the “new 3D format”, as, all previous attempts with the “new 3D format” have been either through cable or satellite operators.

    All terrestrial 3D broadcasts in the past has been using the same technology as older 3D films, requiring the need for red/blue glasses.

    A famous example, has to be the 3D-TV Experience, aired by Channel 7 in 1983, which aired a 3D western as well as a 3D Three Stooges short. It was hosted by Ian Turpie, and some proceeds from the sale of glasses, went to charity.

  14. Like every new technology, the smart thing will be to wait for the 2nd or 3rd generation of 3D sets to be released. The quality will be improved, the cost will be less, and the range of compatible content/programming available will be much greater.

  15. I can just see myself sitting there watching aan amazing State Of Origin game, drinking beer and eating pizza with those stupid glasses on! At least My Harvey will sell a few more TV’s out of it!

  16. Personally I want a 3D TV for video games on my PS3 (I have tried out PC games with nVidia 3D Vision and it was excellent). Once I have a 3D TV then I certainly think I would use it for watching the odd 3D movie as well. I dont think I would use 3D for my regular night time viewing though.

    One thing I want to know – will the 3D signal work on my existing TV (in 2D)? Or will existing TV’s display a blank screen on 3D channels?

  17. Good on Nine for trialing this. But yeah, no point getting a 3DTV now. 5 years from now there would probably be better 3DTVs in stores than the ones sold today.

  18. I have just watched a demo of 3D in a local department store and it blew me away. The quality was amazing for the few minutes i watched and the glasses comfy. In the next couple of years I think there will be a lot of movies re released with some enhancment trickery to imporve the 2D to 3D exerience. The 2D to 3D transfer on regular tv looked ok, it seemed to add a little more depth to the picture.

    In all, I was very impressed but I won’t be racing out to buy one yet. It will happen oneday though. I think it’s a winner !

  21. 3D generally(movies, tv etc) is for suckers!! People who buy the equipment for home are people with loaded wallets(mostly due to the price tag on the TV and equipment you will need to watch the Movie or Sporting Event, or whatever in).
    Why would you want to spend 2 hours watching something with special glasses, for some effect- no thanks!!
    Hopefully 3D goes the way of all other failed fads, and disappears.

  22. 3D is just a fad which will probably die out soon enough.

    The ones I feel sorry for when it does fade will be the cinema chains and TV producers who poured mega millions in upgrading their equipment.

    3D has come and gone in the public eye since the 50’s – I recall another 3D boom in the early 80’s as well.

    I’ve mentioned this before but I recall that Ian Turpie 3D special on TV in the mid 80’s- surely seeing Turps wearing 3D glasses is enough to put anyone off the concept????

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