[Variety]
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“The consumer ramp-up is what really matters in getting real numbers of people watching, and obviously that has not moved,” concedes ESPN’s Phil Orlins, coordinating producer for ESPN 3D. “We’d love it to move at an incredibly rapid pace, because that would (get) the most viewers for us.”
Despite the setback at AT&T, ESPN is pressing ahead with its 3D network, focusing on improving coverage and bringing down costs. (The channel continues to be carried by Comcast and DirecTV.)
One key step forward: ESPN’s 3D and 2D production now come off the same production trucks and cameras, a cost-effective solution some at ESPN have nicknamed “5D” (for 2D plus 3D). …
Combined 2D/3D telecasts were a big part of James Cameron’s pitch to broadcasters in April at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. At the same event, Cameron announced his new camera gear company, the Cameron Pace Group, which is ESPN’s exclusive 3D camera rig provider. …
… 3D sportscasts have been growing more polished and sophisticated. Robotic cameras have made it possible to gain more camera positions without gulping up more seats — a big issue at any major sporting event. Cameron Pace Group continues making smaller, lighter, more flexible rigs to meet ESPN’s needs. …
Some innovations created for 3D have even made it over to the 2D side. For example, 3D cameras need to be closer to the action than 2D cameras, so the high 50-yard-line shots that are a staple of football coverage are problematic. To get closer, ESPN put a 3D camera on a 22-foot mast on a small vehicle that goes up and down the sideline.
“Once everyone saw it, they’re like, ‘Why haven’t we been doing this for years?’?” says Holmes. “Monday Night Football” is adopting it as a reverse-angle shot, even without 3D. …
Plus, viewer feedback on Twitter has been overwhelmingly positive. “And a significant amount of it is extravagant,” he says. “People feel like it’s a game-changer. You feel great about the response, but we’d sure love to have more scale in terms of the number of households that are ready to see it.”
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