HDTV/3D TV News
Sky 3D, Europe’s first three dimensional TV channel, is set for blast off on October 1st.
And the good news is, it will be automatically available for no extra charge to Sky World subscribers. Providing they have a 3D TV set capable of displaying the images, of course.
Sky 3D will mainly carry movies and sport upon its initial unveiling, with the launch weekend taking in the Ryder Cup complete with 3D bunkers, and two 3D feature film animations, Disney’s Bolt and Dreamworks’ Monsters vs Aliens.
The company has also just filmed a new SkyArts 3D production in partnership with the English National Ballet, which features a “spectacular” Bollywood dance routine.
3D movies you can expect to see on the run up to Christmas include Alice in Wonderland, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Coraline, Fly Me To The Moon, Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince and My Bloody Valentine.
And of course, the Premier League football will be followed closely, which has already been the case in pubs across the UK, where Sky‘s commercial 3D channel has been watching the pitch since April.
Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, commented: “As with High Definition, 3D is set to transform the way TV is enjoyed in homes nationwide. Following hot on the heels of the success of 3D cinema, Sky customers will now be the first anywhere in Europe to experience 3D TV from the comfort of their living rooms. They can look forward to a fantastic mix of live sport, blockbuster movies, and innovative entertainment and arts shows.”
Sky 3D will be compatible with all 3D sets being introduced by Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and LG, functioning with both active and passive three dimensional formats.
When we saw Jaws 3D back in the eighties, never in a million years did we imagine there’d come a time when 3D films were shown in the living room.
That’s old news sky 3D channel has been on sky HD for a few months now. I don’t know where you’re getting your info from but it is out of date.
Hi FC360D,
The source was a press release from Sky this morning.
Quote “it will be automatically available for no extra charge to Sky+HD subscribers” – By free you mean having to spend £54 upwards on ALL the channels (entertainment, sport, movies) plus the £10 extra for HD. It is completely typical of Sky of the way they charge top dollar for everything and try to pass things off for “free”. So for us that are only interested in movies and other entertainment programs – we will end up missing out on the 3D features as we will have to pay for the sports channels that will never be watched (not in my house anyway).
HD was the same way – I have multi-room (£10 extra) with two HD boxes, and what do I have to pay Sky for this privilege? £30 all together as you have to pay £10 per HD box, for the Sky+ functions to work.
So for me the so called “Free” service will cost me in excess of £80 per month.
With all the channel bandwidth that Sky has, it would not have been unreasonable to split the channels into each genre – then allow access via the packages you own. That way the people with just sports and HD can get the 3D sports channels etc…. This in my view would have helped people jump onto the bandwagon a bit more, rather than being reluctant in paying more monthly subscriptions.
Have edited the article to reflect the fact that you need to be a Sky World subscriber.
Sky TV normally charge for each of their channel packages. If they are not charging extra to provide a bundle for 3D TV programming, then they are providing the service for free – ie, you are not paying extra to receive it – only for the services you are already paying for.