3 D and DirecTV -- Questions

[Stanley Kritzik]

The press says that D* will announce one or more channels of 3 D soon, at the CES in Las Vegas.

So, for questions:

1. Given the lack of standards for 3D, what technique(s) will D* use?

2. Given the large investment in flat screens, and the expensive recent conversion from analog to digital, will D*'s chosen technology protect the existing flat screen investment?

3. Which channels will be in 3D?

4. When's it going to happen?

Just an observation -- having seen a short video in 3D (the opening act of the Radio City Xmas Show), the visual effect is sensational. For football and other "action" type events, it will be worth donning a pair of $100 glasses to watch things happen.

Added thought -- what a marketing coup if D* could roll out a few channels nationwide in the next few months.

Stan

[syphix]

Until DirecTV themselves talk, all your questions are only answered by speculation and not facts.

And I ain't going there. So, sorry...but we'll have to wait and see! :)

[hdtvfan0001]

Until DirecTV themselves talk, all your questions are only answered by speculation and not facts.

And I ain't going there. So, sorry...but we'll have to wait and see! :)
...and other than a press release or two....we do know that DirecTV is NOT exhibiting at CES 2010.

I'll be there and keep my eyes open....but they have no booth/exhibit there this year (nor did they last year).

[Impala1ss]

Until DirecTV themselves talk, all your questions are only answered by speculation and not facts.

And I ain't going there. So, sorry...but we'll have to wait and see! :)

Since D* NEVER talks to us, this entire site is speculation and rumors.

[Grentz]

Since D* NEVER talks to us, this entire site is speculation and rumors.

I wouldn't say the entire site is speculation and rumors ;)

But on the subject of 3D, we know very little at this point.

[Doug Brott]

Since D* NEVER talks to us, this entire site is speculation and rumors.

The entire site may be speculation to you, but rest assured we do our best to stay away from rumors .. The information posted here is rooted in a cooperative relationship with DIRECTV. Our history speaks for itself.

[taz291819]

The press says that D* will announce one or more channels of 3 D soon, at the CES in Las Vegas.

So, for questions:

1. Given the lack of standards for 3D, what technique(s) will D* use?

2. Given the large investment in flat screens, and the expensive recent conversion from analog to digital, will D*'s chosen technology protect the existing flat screen investment?

3. Which channels will be in 3D?

4. When's it going to happen?

Just an observation -- having seen a short video in 3D (the opening act of the Radio City Xmas Show), the visual effect is sensational. For football and other "action" type events, it will be worth donning a pair of $100 glasses to watch things happen.

Added thought -- what a marketing coup if D* could roll out a few channels nationwide in the next few months.

Stan

I'll give you an educated guess.

1. I'm betting on them using Sensio's method.

2. Only if it's 3D-Ready, which includes many Mits and Samsung DLPs, and a few Samsung Plasmas.

3. Only two channels have been announced, ESPN 3D and Discovery 3D, though no word if Directv will carry these (probably a good bet they will). I could also see Directv doing some PPV movies in 3D. HDNet is supposedly getting into 3D also.

4. Unless Directv does their own 3D channel (with what content?) or 3D PPV Movies, the earliest channel to go 3D is ESPN 3D, lighting up on June 11 for the World Cup. Discovery 3D is scheduled to go online in 2011, and nothing's been said about HDNet 3D.

[Stanley Kritzik]

Since D* NEVER talks to us, this entire site is speculation and rumors.

Here's a quote from the NY Times, today.

************************************************** ***
The satellite service DirecTV is expected to announce its own 3-D channels at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where every major television manufacturer is planning to announce 3-D televisions and compatible Blu-ray DVD players on Wednesday.
*************************************************

So, if that qualifies as speculation and rumors, I'm guilty for spreading same. My questions are certainly speculative, since we haven't heard anything from D*. But, then, questions are often speculative, unless they are simply rhetorical.

Stan

[Stuart Sweet]

I've heard the same rumors, but the funny thing is that there's no DIRECTV press conference scheduled, no DIRECTV booth at CES... so if they do announce something it would probably be from their headquarters in El Segundo.

[HarryD]

I am looking into my Crystal ball and seeing this 3D thing falling on it's face... new TVs, special glasses, and higher programming rates are three strikes right off the bat...

[Stanley Kritzik]

At the CES, Toshiba announced a basic Blu Ray DVD player for $200, with a $50 upgrade for Wi Fi and a no-price-announced upgrade for 3D Blu Ray later this year. So, the vendors, at least, are swinging for 3D. It's a big hit in the movies, and gamers, for sure, are going to go for it.

I'd like to see a 3D football game on a 50-inch screen, just to make up my mind. My hunch is that sports nuts will go for it. Look at the lunatics (my people) who go to see Green Bay play at Lambeau Field in December. So, glasses -- no big deal.

Stan

[lwdaniel]

3D has is niche, but I'm with HarryD. I don't see it going anywhere soon.

[JoeTheDragon]

At the CES, Toshiba announced a basic Blu Ray DVD player for $200, with a $50 upgrade for Wi Fi and a no-price-announced upgrade for 3D Blu Ray later this year. So, the vendors, at least, are swinging for 3D. It's a big hit in the movies, and gamers, for sure, are going to go for it.

I'd like to see a 3D football game on a 50-inch screen, just to make up my mind. My hunch is that sports nuts will go for it. Look at the lunatics (my people) who go to see Green Bay play at Lambeau Field in December. So, glasses -- no big deal.

Stan
$50 for a wifi bridge seems about right.

[LarryFlowers]

3D= GIANT FAIL

[Stuart Sweet]

Succinctly put. Well, the marketplace will decide.

[hdtvfan0001]

Succinctly put. Well, the marketplace will decide.
Yes indeed - both if it survives, as well as which of the 57 (current) flavors survive. :D

[barryb]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/directv-3d-broadcasts-officially-announced-coming-in-june/

[DCSholtis]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/directv-and-panasonic-bring-3d-home-80854077.html

[Stuart Sweet]

Let's continue discussion here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=170724