Don't be a-3d of missing Sky's new channel

Hi!

Today I jumped aboard the 3D bandwagon by watching Manchester United Vs. Chelsea on Sky Sports 3D- the broadcaster's new channel. Apart from donning the very classy glasses the only effect it had on my viewing of the game was a back ache.

My local- the Cuckoo Pint in Stubbington, Fareham- became one of the few but growing number of outlets offering the new way of watching football to punters, following on the crest of excitement generated by 3D films such as Avatar. For a reasonable sum of £2 viewers grab a pair of glasses and squirm to the front of the screen- as the effect of the picture is ironically lost from distance. If nothing else I protest to my local moving the pool tables for any reason...

Still at first some angles looked impressive. John Terry and Gary Neville leading their sides out in 3D was impressive- it looked just like an entrance scene from FIFA 10 so fluid and full were the pictures.

And there is much to be said of the images from the dugouts and stands- each row of fans becomes a layer and there is nothing like a ball boy appearing inches away from you to make a whole pub shake thier drinks.

However the core of watching live football- the lofty position of the camera usually square on to the half-way line, shows no sign of lending itself to 3D viewing. Taking off the glasses reduces the picture quality only because evrything has a thin red/blue border and you find yourself checking how much is left in your glass as everything develops a double.

The quality and excitement of the game itself made the event more of a spectacle- and I would imagine an evening tie would generate more interest, but for the nost part the next step in football spectating is very much a fuzz over nothing.

Mark A.