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BBC eyes 3D, super hi-vision for Olympics

By ITWeb
Johannesburg, 31 Aug 2011

BBC eyes 3D, super hi-vision for Olympics

The BBC is considering plans to broadcast the 100 metres final of the London Olympics in 3D, as well as trying out a new technology that delivers picture quality said to be 16 times better than HDTV, reveals the Guardian.co.uk.

Roger Mosey, the BBC executive in charge of the corporation's London 2012 coverage, told reporters on the sidelines of the Edinburgh international television festival that 3D coverage for the 100m and other events was “certainly on the agenda”, as part of a “limited experiment”.

The event will see world record holder Usain Bolt seeking to restore some pride after being disqualified from the world championships on Sunday, following a false start.

The broadcaster will also test 'super hi-vision', a new broadcasting technology so advanced it is not expected to be in homes for a decade, according to Advanced Television.

Three 15-metre high screens will be erected around the country so that the public have a chance of seeing the imagery that Mosey said was so good it would match up with the experience of watching from the stands.

“When you sit and watch it, you really get the experience of being in seat D5 in the stadium,” Mosey said. “Super hi-vision might be a better long-term prospect than 3D in some ways as it gives you the feel of being in the stadium. People are knocked out by it.”

The BBC is also planning to set up three big screens in Bradford, Glasgow and London which will show recorded events and live action in super hi-vision, notes the Mirror.

Mosey refused to be drawn on the cost of covering the Olympics but said the BBC will publish a “definitive budget” next year.

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