HPA Opens With 3D Supersession; Offers DirecTV Update

The Hollywood Post Alliance Technology Retreat kicked off today in Palm Springs, during which attendees got an update on the plans of DirecTV. With Panasonic, DirecTV is readying to launch three, 3D ready channels beginning in June. Hanno Basse, VP broadcast systems engineering , DirecTV offered an update.

The three channels will include one linear 24/7 3D only channel, which will use “all the content we can get, top movies, concerts. We have several content deals in place with top names in the industry.” Panasonic will sponsor this channel.

The second channel is dedicated to live events, notably sports and concerts. The third channel is a video on demand model, offering movies, concerts and other entertainment.

Basse reported that DirecTV will broadcast 3D in a frame compatible, side by side format—which he said supports most if not all 3D TVs, as well as both interlace and progressive.

In the DirecTV model, content would be captured in separate left eye/right eye streams. As part of the workflow, those streams need to be multiplexed into the side by side format. Basse also reported that set top boxes will need modification.

By Carolyn Giardina, Entertainment Technology Center