The Nine Network has announced that they will be conducting a trial broadcast of the 2010 Harvey Norman State of Origin Series on May 26, June 16 and July 7 in 3D. A trial broadcast licence provided by the Australian Communications and Media Authority has been confirmed for a period of nine weeks to cover the Nine Network’s broadcast and will take place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle and Wollongong.
In Wollongong, the WIN Network will be assisting the Nine Network in transmitting an additional signal which will cover a very small part of the Wollongong coverage area.
The WIN Network will not be participating in this test transmission.
We anticipate that many WIN viewers will have questions in relation to the availability of the State of Origin broadcast in 3D and more generally about 3D Television. To assist our viewers, we have prepared a short Q&A that addresses some of the common questions we receive about 3D Television.
Q: Why isn’t the WIN Network participating in this trial?
A: The WIN Network is focussing all energies on digital roll-out and is committed to meeting Government deadlines in regard to analogue switch-off.
Q: What other programming, apart from the State of Origin is currently available in 3D?
A: There is no additional 3D programming currently available on free to air.
Q: Does the WIN Network have any future plans for offering 3D programming?
A: The WIN Network has no set plans at the present time for offering 3D programming.
Q: Where do I buy a 3D TV?
A: 3D television sets are available at major electrical retailers.
Q: What is the Australian Standard for 3D?
A: No Australian Standard has been set for 3D format television at this stage.
Q: How does 3D work?
A: Your brain creates a sense of depth by combining the slightly different perspectives from the left and right eye of the same object or scene into a ‘merged image’ that includes depth information. Delivering the two different images on a single two dimensional screen to the viewer is a challenge as there is only one view available to both eyes.
Q: Can 3D TVs only be used to watch 3D content?
A: 3D television sets will allow you to watch all digital television. The new 3D ready TVs coming into the market will all be fully high definition (HD) ready and able to display standard definition (SD) digital TV images too.
Q: Can I wear the cinema glasses I received when I went to the movies to see a 3D film?
A: No, the 3D glasses supplied in the cinema are passive glasses. To view a 3D program on a 3D television you must use the 3D Active Shutter Glasses supplied with your 3D television.