Comcast only wants to share 3D feed of The Masters with cable

Verizon and DirecTV aren't too happy with Comcast today -- the first national 3D broadcast is upon us and it isn't on satellite and it isn't on fiber. Some might call this competition, but regardless it is no coincidence that cable operators around the country are the only ones delivering 8 hours of 3D coverage. Cable companies have always stuck together as they don't really compete with each other, so it is in their best interest to keep something like this within their fave five. Not cool if you're one of the few who picked up a 3DTV already, and want to watch more than just a demo disc, or Monsters vs Aliens again. In the grand scheme of things this isn't that big of a deal, it isn't like they are holding back on a full time 3D channel or something.

[Mitchell Posted Apr 8th 2010 4:03PM]

i would like to see a report on how many ppl are actually 3d ready and could take advantage of all this 3d live stuff. my guess is its EXTREMELY low.

[zerotwone Posted Apr 8th 2010 4:14PM]

@Mitchell

Is watching golf in 3D even worth it?

[Ecran Posted Apr 8th 2010 4:57PM]

@Mitchell
You'd be surprised how quick the 3D TVs are selling at your local stores. Most have the Samsungs and Panasonics in backorder status. I personally own a Samsung 3D TV and I love it...

[Fanfoot Posted Apr 8th 2010 11:05PM]

@Ecran So... since the cable broadcasts are being done in this "frame compatible" way that allows them to work with existing set top boxes, I assume you have to manually switch your TV into 3D mode to avoid seeing two squished images side-by-side? Does your remote have a 3D toggle button or do you have to go deep into the menus?

[skinnerstein Posted Apr 8th 2010 11:42PM]

@Mitchell
I just bought a Samsung 55" and I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of my 3D glasses and the go-live (tomorrow) of TWC's Masters content. I'm a 3D owner and a golfer and I absolutely cannot wait to see the Masters in 3D. I could not be happier with the prospect of being able to watch sports in 3D.

I keep seeing people trash this 3D tech, but you know what? I was buying a new TV anyway, so I went ahead and sprung for the 3D option. I needed another BD player so I could have one in the bedroom, so I picked up the 3D capable one. Did I spend a little bit more than I would have on 2D tech? I sure did, but not by as much as you would think. And at the end of the day, the TV I bought looks GREAT for 2D, so even if I only pull out the 3D glasses as a novelty when friends are over, I'm still happy with my purchase.

[engadgetcomexcludeengadget Posted Apr 8th 2010 6:30PM]

If I were Comcast I would charge the shit outta them to air it. Then again, they rape their customers so much that they don't really need the dough. I'd be surprised if Directv was gonna share their 3D feed whenever it comes out though, so I'm not sure they have a valid argument. Verizon can just suck it for making fun of xfinity.

[Fanfoot Posted Apr 8th 2010 11:07PM]

@engadgetcomexcludeengadget I assume they'll do what they did with HD. At first when there's only a channel or two, and hardly anybody has TV's it'll be free. Everybody with a 3DTV will have people over, demo the ability, sell more 3DTV's. Then after a while it will start to cost money. Suddenly there will be a $10 charge on your bill for 3D...

[SpongeBobPistolPants Posted Apr 9th 2010 8:43AM]

@engadgetcomexcludeengadget the only 3d feed DirecTV will have is the ESPN3D and unlike comcast they won't OWN that feed. They may be the only ones with the available bandwidth and or be the only ones willing to pay out the a$$ for what i'm sure ESPN will be charging distributers but in either case it won't be the content owner & distributer making decisions based on protecting their local monopoly.

[ConanDarkness93x Posted Apr 8th 2010 9:05PM]

I love the bitterness in Ben's posts when they have something that is considered negative to FIOS users. He is so biased about anything that isn't Media Center or FIOS.

[Fanfoot Posted Apr 8th 2010 11:08PM]

@ConanDarkness93x I'm not sure what you're talking about. You sure you're not the one reading something into his post here?

[SpongeBobPistolPants Posted Apr 9th 2010 8:35AM]

@ConanDarkness93x ya, cause when a massive cable company BUYS a network and then uses that purchase to pursue anti-competitive practices against any other distributer that might exist in their market, we should all sit down and shut-up right? comment troll achievement unlocked! congrats.

[Zombo Posted Apr 8th 2010 9:32PM]

Most stores right now have a stock of 4 or 5 3D tvs for each tech . So they're selling out of them ? Whoop de friggan do ! I've seen the list of upcoming 3d movies this year - Harry Potter , Piranha , and a bunch of cartoons . Oh yeah and world cup soccer on ESPN 3D . I'm sure a 3 hour 3D game of no scoring decided on a penalty kick will sell this tech ! This tech may very well find a niche market , but they're going to have to get better content than that !

[iPaul Posted Apr 8th 2010 10:02PM]

@Zombo your a moron, the World Cup is the most watched sporting event in history and is the world wide No.1 Sport. As for 3D I agree it's pointless.

[Fanfoot Posted Apr 8th 2010 11:12PM]

@Zombo Agreed that the media companies aren't exactly jumping on board. But by the end of the year there will be a couple of relatively full time 3D channels available--ESPN 3D (not just soccer, they're saying basketball too, and Hockey has already been done, and golf is going on now from an ESPN feed) and Discovery/IMax/Sony. Plus of course the real reason to get a 3DTV--games. I would expect Sony in particular to have a bunch of games that can drive a 3DTV available by the end of the year for the PS3. Not sure about the XBox 360 but I think you can assume Microsoft will do the same.

[Zombo Posted Apr 9th 2010 5:25AM]

@iPaul I don't care how many people in other parts of the world go gaga over a boring game , it still doesn't mean they're all going to rush out and buy a 3D tv to watch it which was my point . But you're entitled to your opinion and you know what you can do with it BTW !

[SpongeBobPistolPants Posted Apr 9th 2010 8:38AM]

@Zombo right on! i mean the launched the 3DTV's like 3 days ago, why isn't EVERYTHING i watch in 3d yet? lazy cable companies!

[jefffshome Posted Apr 9th 2010 8:06AM]

Homemade 3D TV
I watched about an hour of Comcast's 3D Masters coverage without a 3D TV or any special equipment and I was impressed with the 3D. How did I do it? Remember the stereogram books where you diverge your eyes to see a 3D image? It's the same principle. Sit at an average distance from the split 3D screen and diverge your eyes until the left and right image join in the middle to form a 3D picture. To aid the process I used a toilet paper tube cut in half and placed in front of each eye to get used to diverging my eyes but soon learned it didn't need the tubes. You could also just put your hand between your eyes. Yes this is not as good as a real 3D TV but it gives you an idea of how 3D looks. And yes the image is stretched but still for free it's an interesting experience. I was skeptical about 3D until I saw the Masters coverage and now I can see how the added 3D perspective on something like golf is a real plus. Looks like 3D will be here to stay and I will be buying a 3D TV in the future.

[TRT Posted Apr 11th 2010 3:06PM]

I wish someone would order 3D into the gladiator arena with Spartacus. Sooner is better!