BSkyB selects 3ality 3D camera rigs
Written by Chris Forrester
Thursday, 14 January 2010 18:00
It's official: Sky Digital will be using 3reality's special 3D camera rigs for its 3D output.
"Sky's 3D TV service will be broadcast across Sky's existing High Definition (HD) infrastructure and be available via the current generation of Sky+HD set-top boxes," says a statement. "1.6 million homes are already equipped with Sky+HD. To watch 3D content, Sky+HD customers are only required to upgrade to a 3D-enabled television set, a wide range of which will begin to be retailed in 2010."
"The launch of Sky's 3D TV services this year will mark a milestone in British broadcasting, giving customers a whole new dimension to their TV viewing experience," said Sky's director of product design and development, and 3D guru, Brian Lenz. "Utilising 3ality Digital's technology and equipment will be a key component in providing our customers with a cutting-edge entertainment experience."
"Sky is leading the way in its commitment to offering the next generation of television," said Steve Schklair, CEO of 3ality Digital Systems, the technology and production arm of 3ality Digital, LLC. "The success of its 3D broadcasting initiative is critical to the industry. We are proud that Sky has selected 3ality Digital as the camera and image processing systems supporting its launch."
"We're proud to collaborate with Sky as the company works to deliver on its commitment to pioneer 3D broadcasting," said 3ality Digital's CEO Sandy Climan. "Our state-of-the-art automation processes and the full metadata capture built into our camera platforms will ensure Sky 3D programming is compelling, immersive and dynamic."
The agreement with Sky represents the latest in a long line of broadcast firsts for 3ality Digital. In the past 13 months alone, 3ality Digital technology powered the first-ever live 3D broadcast of an NFL game and the first live 3D sports broadcast available to consumers. During the same period, the company also shot the live-action footage for the first 3D commercial broadcast on television, as well as the first episode of a scripted television series shot in digital live-action 3D.
The official start-date for Sky's 3D service is still unknown, and in fairness to them the number of 3D sets in the market is miniscule. Sky is promising a service start this year.
(c) Rapid TV News 2010