BBC promises London 2012 Olympics will be in 3D and Super HD
The BBC's director for London 2012, Roger Mosey, has promised the Olympic Games will be shot in 3D and Super HD.
Speaking today at the IBC Conference in Amsterdam, Mosey said: "Nobody would expect the Games of 2012 to be comprehensively in 3D... but it would be a shame not to have any images of London that were part of an experiment with what will be one of the next big waves of change.
The Olympic Stadium may only exist in its full 80,000+ capacity for a relatively short period. Not to have that at all in 3D would be, at the very least, a major gap in the archive."
Super HD meanwhile promises a resolution of 7680 x 4320, some 16 times the resolution of existing HD. So far only a reality in the form of test broadcasts in Japan by NHK Digital, Mosey wants to make sure the Beeb doesn't miss a trick here either.
"There won't be a [Super HD] set in your living room by 2012, but there could be a limited number of cameras and big screens that will give us a taste of the future...
Both 3D and Super HD are currently posing questions and opportunities rather than solutions; but now's the time to start examining seriously whether there are answers that could make 2012 even more of a landmark year."
It's clear that Mosey, the BBC's director for London 2012, means business when it comes to delivering forward-thinking coverage of the game on TV, radio and online.
"The Olympic Games has long been a showcase for innovation and expertise... and we will be enthusiastic supporters of the next generation of digital coverage," he said.
It certainly seems that the manufacturers and now the broadcasters are talking a good game when it comes to 3D TV, but is it what the public wants? Let us know in the comments section below...
Comments
bloody hell, cant they even shoot Eastenders in NORMAL HD? and the olympics are SuperHD? BBC are missing a trick here. Concentrate on BBC HD before announcing some extra HD things.
You're absolutely correct Professorhat. Also people should note that he makes specific mention of the value of having this footage shot for archival purposes. Surely if you are able to get your hands on the cameras to be able to capture the highest resolution technically possible you should, shouldn't you? Especially seeing as the BBC is the primary repository of archive footage of British life? The fact is that 30 years from now when everyone is using "supercalafragalisticexpealidociousHD" screens, we'll be well happy that the Beeb can pull out its 4k footage of 2012 as opposed to some rubbish old HD1.0 footage. Very forward thinking and I would applaud them for it.
I think some people have missed the point here - the games will be "shot" in 3D and Super HD, not "broadcast". Given the BBC's coverage is likely to be sold all round the world and some countries may well have the technology to broadcast these formats, this seems like a very forward thinking and possibly profitable scheme if they can sell these broadcasts on.
Good for them for actually thinking about, discussing and preparing for innovation well in advance of the event, rather than scrambling to catch up later on.
in any case, I imagine the Beeb will get the tech quite cheaply - this is a wonderful showcase for whomever has designed the technology. Free advertising from auntie...
Im all in favour of filming the Olympics 2012 in Super HD then it could be shown on large screens for the public not able to get a ticket (think like Wimbledon tennis).
3D in the home Im not convinced at all yet and a few Hollywood movies isn't enough.
The BBC are worth every penny just look at the international TV channels to justify that, but Im mad as hell that they have decided although a great idea to broadcast HD via Freeview. Why wait until half the country has already bought TV's and recorders with standard Freeview tuners before announcing this move, shall we all just ditch the last 3 years purchases?
davidSAL - this is in three years time...
"The BBC's director for London 2012, Roger Mosey, has promised the Olympic Games will be shot in 3D and Super HD."
Well, somebody should certainly be "shot" for wasting money on the pursuit of pointless technology when the money could be much better spent on quality programming, or on propping up ITV. Oh, no hang on...
the beeb have been having troubles broadcasting good quality HD recently and now they are talking about 3D and Super HD. Wouldn't it be better to master HD first and then progress onwards?
Clive - Good old BBC always at the forefront of new broadcasting technology - why do people continually grumble at the licence fee when it is very good value and roll on 3D tv and Super HD the sooner the better.
Clive, Lets face it the BBC is worth every penny and they always been at forefront of new technology so this
Big Aura - I think JVC are working on that chip already...
I'm holding out for supercalafragalisticexpealidociousHD.
Should be announced 1 hour after you buy your superHD screen.
Yeah. I said the same thing when they brought in colour.
Widescreen HD is fine for my 37"... At least the BBC won't have to send 437 staff to China as they did in 2008 so there should be some savings there!
Super HD will be the future. 3D won't.
Pointless waste of money.
Hardly anyone will be watching in either format.
I suppose they have to find something new to justify the licence fee. What a waste.