The NBA is planning on transmitting this weekend’s NBA All-Star game in 3D HDTV. There is a catch, though: you need an invitation to the special NBA party at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay hotel to see it. Everyone else will need to watch it in ordinary HDTV or, heaven forbid, in standard definition.

Matt Brennesholtz
Insight Media Analyst

The NBA says this is the first-ever live transmission of a sporting event in 3D. To the best of Insight Media’s knowledge, this is true, even if transmission is just across town from the Thomas & Mack Center arena to the Mandalay Bay. Perhaps this can be considered comparable to the first HDTV broadcast just 11 years ago by WRAL in North Carolina, or their first broadcast of a live sporting event in HD of a Duke University football game in September 1997. In another 10 years, we may see 3D HDTV broadcasts to the home become routine.

The event will be produced using five PACE Fusion 3D cameras, 4 at courtside and one overhead. There will also be a special 3D control room at the arena. The cameras were assembled by PACE from two standard 1080i HDTV cameras. Each camera will be run by two operators: a standard camera operator plus a second to control convergence of the two cameras. The video will be sent as two separate HD feeds to the projectors in the Mandalay Bay. Vincent Pace, CEO for PACE, said "The technology, innovation and creativity of 3D HD are the perfect fit to capture the excitement of the NBA and allow viewers to experience NBA All-Star like never before." In addition to working with the NBA, Pace has provided the 3D technology to James Cameron for his upcoming 3D film "Avatar."

Human stereoscopic vision loses its effect beyond about 50 feet or so. According to Steve Hellmuth, Senior Vice President of Operations and Technology for NBA Entertainment, " The spectacular view of our game from a courtside seat, the closest to the field of play in any sports, is replicated in this groundbreaking 3D HD experience we are unveiling for NBA All-Star."

I expect truly spectacular images to be shown this weekend at the Mandalay Bay. Even though I am not a sports fan, I wish I had an invitation to see them. One of the justifications for electronic cinema projectors are that they allow the theaters to be used for special events as well as showing movies. With more than 1000 3D electronic cinema screens expected to be available by this time next year, does the NBA plan on showing the 2008 All-Star game in 3D? I bet there are more than a few fans who would be willing to pay $20 or more for a virtual courtside seat to the game.

For a more detailed version of this story, including an evaluation of how the event went, see the March issue of Insight Media’s newsletter Projection Monthly with Flat Panel Coverage. For an in-depth study of electronic 3D systems including forecasts through 2011, see the Insight Media/USDC report "3D Technology and Markets: A Study of All Aspects of Electronic 3D Systems, Applications and Markets" to be available in early March.