Digital TV News

3D TV is coming to your living room

Monday 22 March, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

The wait is finally over for 3D TV, as satellite TV giant Sky gets ready to launch the UK’s first dedicated 3D channel - kicking off with 3D Premier League action.

British homes will soon be able to watch the likes of Avatar and Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland from the comfort of their living rooms, as Sky’s 3D TV channel gets launched on Saturday 3 April.

A Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United will be the first programme to broadcast on the new 3D channel, and will be watched by thousands of footy fans around the UK on 3D ready TV sets in pubs and clubs.

The channel will become available to homes later in the year. To watch Sky 3D, you must have a Sky+HD Sky+HD set-top, a subscription to the HD pack of channels, and a 3D ready TV.

Brian Lenz, Sky’s director of product design and TV product development, said: “With 3D, seeing really is believing, so it’s great news that over a thousand pubs across country will be able to show the magic of 3D to their customers.”

Last week, manufacturers Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic all confirmed plans to have 3D TVs on sale in the next few months. Sky 3D will be compatible with all of the product ranges being introduced, as it works with both ‘active’ and ‘passive’ 3D formats.

Sky 3D will offer a range of movies, sport, documentaries, entertainment and arts content later in the year.

Jon Ingram, operations director at Digitalchoices.co.uk, said: “Sky’s 3D channel will really bring TV to life, and its not just football that looks amazing in 3D - boxing, rugby and music videos in 3D all get you that much closer to the action.”

He added: “And after the recent box office success of Avatar and Alice in Wonderland, I’m sure many homes will be looking to switch to 3D soon.”