HDTV/3D TV News
On the 25th August, Virgin Media will be broadcasting a 3D TV episode of the US hit show Chuck.
The programme will be aired on Virgin 1 and, as normal, 3D Glasses will be required.
Fortunately for viewers, 3D glasses are available free with a copy of TV & Satellite Week out on the 18th August.
Of course if there is more than one person in the household then sharing is the name of the game or the purchase of multiple magazines.
Virgin Media are looking to carry a 3D channel at some time during 2010 in order to compete with Sky who will also be going down the 3D route.
However, there seems to be a difference with the platforms as viewers of Virgin Media will able to use their current TV, while Sky customers will have to purchase a 3D ready TV.
I found tonight’s 3D episode of Chuck deeply disappointing. A poor compromise seems to have been struck between trying to create effects for those with the glasses and keeping it watchable for those who didn’t, resulting in it being blurry and washed-out for the latter and lackluster in ’3D’. Only 2-3 shots in the entire show seemed to convey the sense of depth I was looking for, and those didn’t seem too sophisticated either, having a cardboard cut-out feel similar to old hologram magazines. If the proposed 3D channel is anything like what we saw tonight, I won’t be subscribing. A poor debut for the technology on live TV, I feel.