Soccer 3D 'Beer Goggles' Revealed

Soccer fans have enjoyed one of the the first public opportunities to actually see 3D TV in action as thousands watched weekend football on special screens in pubs across the British Isles.

At the end of January, hundreds of Irish soccer fans packed into former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's local, Fagan's in Dublin, as Arsenal and Manchester United kicked off the world's first live 3D sports broadcast.

As anticipated, on Sky's 3D TV 'To Launch With Avatar', the Drumcondra pub, along with eight British bars, made history as they became the first premises to show a football game using the latest polarised 3D method.

Comic remarks were plentiful too, as 'Joe 90'-style beer goggles were needed for the feature which worked by two separate camera shots being shown together on screen, with viewers wearing special glasses that criss-cross the images so they look like they're "popping out" of the television.

Television provider Sky is pioneering the project, and if successful, the technology could be rolled out to pubs across the country by the spring.

Fagan's owner Eamon O'Malley said he was "delighted" his premises was chosen.

Bertie Ahern was also said to be impressed, but he decided against staying to watch the game, instead making a quick appearance before the kick-off to try on the specs.

The occasion boosted profits though, with the pub packed with supporters all curious about the technology.

As Arsenal kicked off, commentator Alan Parry said: "It's a moment of television history. You'll see every shot, every tackle and every save in a way you've never seen before. I'm sure it will revolutionise the way we watch live sports."

According to the professional journal, Regional Film & Video, Sky is pressing its advantage by launching into pubs and clubs.

Sky is expected to schedule a mix of sports, arts, entertainment and documentary programming, topped up with premium pay-per-view events.

Depending on whether everything goes well with its own test broadcasts, it is anticipated that Sky could then launch into domestic customers homes around July this year.

(BmCC/GK)