3D

3D is the hottest broadcast format on the planet, but the big question for clients is how to make it commercially viable.

In May 2010, Global Television delivered an end-to-end technical 3D broadcast solution for Fox Sports Australia with Australia’s first live 3D event: the Australia/New Zealand soccer friendly from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Working alongside Fox Sports, Global Television was able to plan and deliver Fox Sports’ live 3D broadcast within a period of two weeks. Global also facilitated, in 3D, the:

• 2010 NRL State of Origin series
• 2010 AFL Grand Final
• 2010 NRL Grand Final

Global has been well prepared for the increasing demand for 3D broadcasts, having identified the need for an affordable end-to-end technical solution for 3D broadcasts back in 2009. Accordingly, all of Global’s High Definition (HD) Outside Broadcast (OB) vans, as well as its television studios, have been designed and built by Global and future-proofed to accommodate 3D as well as other HD production needs.

The result is no other Australian facilitator can currently deliver a live 3D broadcast from an outside broadcast van that has not been specifically 3D-enabled. That in turn delivers significant cost efficiencies to our clients.

Encouraged by the positive response from our clients, Global has established a 3D Business Unit to meet the Australian television industry’s burgeoning demand for 3D broadcast capabilities.

The initiative will accelerate training and development of the Australian talent and intellectual property that are vital to delivering affordable 3D solutions.

Australia’s barrier to 3D television is not due to any lack of technology but, rather, the insufficient depth of local expertise. Most of the expense in delivering 3D to-date has come from the need to fly technical experts in from overseas. Global’s 3D Business Unit is charged with up-skilling Global’s staff and the broader local broadcast technical community to meet the challenge and ensure Global is Australia’s pre-eminent provider of 3D broadcast solutions.

The 3D Business Unit coordinates technical and training options for delivering cost-affordable 3D solutions with major equipment vendors and film and television training centres. The team also liaises with television broadcasters and key market players, both locally and offshore, to ensure the best outcomes in servicing demand.