Live 3D Broadcasts At Your Local Movie House

For years, movie theaters have seen a decline in attendance (even though every blockbuster movie seems to smash box office records... hmm...) thanks to home video. The move to HD television could put a further dent in box office receipts as more and more people have access to home theaters and are able to have a family night at the movies for less than $80. Personally I love the communal experience of going to the movies, and theater owners are trying out new ways to exploit that in order to get more butts into seats.

Around 1500 theaters around the US are equipped for 3D projection. You may have seen special releases of major studio pictures in 3D, and the trend will continue, but tonight there's a special wrinkle in 3D projection. Three movie theaters across the country will watch a football game in 3D broadcast live. You'll still need to wear special 3D glasses, but at least they're not the red/blue anaglyph kind.

Before you go racing for your wallet and team pennant, the screening is an exclusive event; a trial for industry insiders. They're testing the feasibility of live 3D television production & broadcast. If things work out, this may be the prototype for a new kind of programming at your local googleplex. Right there alongside the steroidal shootouts and teenage fart comedies, you'll be able to see live events with a crowd projected in 3D. The creators are imagining more than just 3D sports.  Their idea is to turn movie theaters into an affordable portal for all kinds of culture, such as pricey operas, rock concerts, or how about even a trip to the circus?

The drawback is the expense of actually producing such programming right now, but I think that if ticket prices were kept reasonable for live 3D spectacles, this could be a quite popular regular pastime for a lot of people. I've missed out on several live musical acts in recent years because of exorbitant ticket prices. But if I could visit my local movie theater to see a live 3D broadcast of the concert with a great sound system, unobstructed view, and an energetic live crowd, I'd happily pay $25 for a ticket.

NBC Sports article
CBS affiliate with more details

related:

Loreo point-and-shoot 3D camera kits
3D 16mm movie camera by Bolex
Doodle your own 3D pictures