DirecTV updates HD receivers, readies 3D channels for June 11 launch

DirecTV, which will kick off its 3D programming on June 11th with ESPN's first broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer matches, is in the process of updating its receivers to handle the 3D broadcasts. I know this because my four HD DVRs received the firmware updates last night.

You can find out a lot of the information about DirecTV's 3D plans on a special 3D section of its website. Also, Gary Merson has posted some additional information about viewing requirements on his two tech blogs, HD Guru and 3D Guru.

ESPN will be broadcasting a total of 25 of the World Cup matches in 3D. In addition to carrying ESPN 3D, this month DirecTV will launch three of its own 3D channels: DirecTV Cinema, which will show 3D "blockbuster" movies and documentaries; n3D, the channel created in partnership with Panasonic that focuses on sports, music, nature and arts programming; and DirecTV on Demand, which requires an HD DVR to receive 3D content. You will be able to record 3D programs and movies on the DVR for 3D playback at a later time.

To receive 3D programs, DirecTV customers will need to have a later-model HD receiver (H21 or above) or HD DVR (HR21 or above), plus a 3D TV, 3D glasses, and an HDMI cable. Also, while there's no additional charge to receive 3D programs—with the exception of on-demand titles, which cost $1 more than current HD movies—you will need the HD Access service that's required to receive any HD content, which costs $10 per month.

In addition to the FIFA World Cup games, DirecTV says it will offer ESPN 3D's broadcasts of the Summer X Games 16 (July 29-August 1). A teaser on the DirecTV website says that 3D broadcasts of Cirque du Soleil and the movie Clash of the Titans will be coming soon. The satellite service and the YES Network will offer the first-ever Major League Baseball telecasts in 3D on Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11 when the New York Yankees play the Seattle Mariners.

Since 3D content has been so far limited to only a few 3D Blu-ray movies and a sampler Blu-ray disc that came with the Panasonic 3D TVs, we're very curious to see how well 3D broadcasts come across, given some of the limitations of fitting 3D into a standard HD bandwidth. I'll be taking one of our 3D TVs home for the FIFA World Cup broadcasts, so stay tuned for my upcoming blogs on my—and my family's—reaction to having 3D TV in our family room.

—James K. Willcox