The World Cup 2010 in South Africa will be shot in 3D. But the French Open, Roland Garros (Part of Grand Slam) is one of the first major tournaments to be shot and transmitted in live 3D. This is made possible by Panasonic, Orange and Eurosport.

FlatpanelsHD was in Paris to see how the 3D camera setup and transmission was made possible. Here are our impressions and some behind the scenes pictures from the production area where the 3D magic happens.

You can also watch French Open in 3D yourself - even at home. You need a satellite dish and a 3DTV. If you don’t have that yet you can visit your local Panasonic center to have a look yourself.


French Open in 3D

French Open in live 3D
The first live 3D transmissions are now reality and French Open in Paris is the first major European tournament to be filmed and transmitted in live 3D. This is a small revolution for the 3D technology and now you have the chance to follow Williams and Wozniacky in a even more immersive way.

FlatpanelsHD was in Paris. Not just to see tennis but also to get exclusive behind the scenes access to the 3D production area.


French Open in 3D

Before the 3D transmission started there was a small introduction by representatives from Panasonic, Orange, Eurosport, French Open and Screen Digest.

Eurosport and Orange came with some interesting input and they were both were eager to get started with 3D filming. According to them 3D gives the producers new possibilities when filming and this also enables them to reconsider the traditional ways of filming especially sports events.


French Open in 3D

At exactly 1 p.m. they pushed the button and the 3D French Open transmission began broadcasting.


French Open in 3D

The reactions from the attendies were positive. There was a large crowd gattered - all with 3D glasses; some had experienced 3DTVs before and others had never seen it like this. A lot of the atendees stayed long after the show to watch the 3D French Open.


French Open in 3D

If you have a 3DTV jump to the bottom to see how you can pick up the 3D signal on your own Tv. The 3D event is transmitted on a Eurosport 3D channel that is encrypted but you can use the free Orange 3D channel.


French Open in 3D

If you want to experience French Open in 3D you should visit your local Panasonic Center. Most of these demonstrate how French Open in 3D is handled by the new Panasonic VT20 3D-Tv.


French Open in 3D

The 3D signal is transmitted in the so-called side-by-side technique which means that you have a lower resolution than with 3D Blu-ray movies that uses the frame sequential method. Even though the French Open signal seems softer than 3D Blu-rays you still get an amazing 3D-effect.

After having seen sports in 3D you feel that the 3D effect opens a new dimension. You can see the many facets of the game in a more immersive way and you feel much closer to the real game and the atmosphere.


French Open in 3D

This will probably also change how we see and experience sport events in the future. The producers are likely to shoot the games form different angles. After seeing this I’m really excited to see more sports in 3D.


French Open in 3D

Behind the scenes
FlatpanelsHD had the change to get an exclusive behind the scenes tour from Orange. We wanted to see how the 3D filming was done and how  they monitored and took care of the 3D broadcasts from the mobile OB (Outside Broadcast) truck.


French Open in 3D

Not all French Open matches are shot in 3D and Orange had a total of six 3D cameras installed. 5 on the field and 1 mobile 3D camera for interviews.


French Open in 3D

The 3D signal is produced in the broadcast area.


French Open in 3D

We started the tour in the monitoring room where all broadcasts to the outer world are monitored.


French Open in 3D

The 3D signals and HD signals are produced in the OB truck before they are sent to the headquaters for uploading to the satellite. Notice the screen in the lower right corner and in the middle. There are both 3D studio monitors.


Orange OB 3D truck

This obviously also means that the producers are wearing 3D glasses which looks quite funny.


Orange OB 3D truck

The OB (Outside Broadcast) truck is a mobile truck. During French Open Orange has proved that 3D is now possible with a 3D OB truck and this also means that Orange has taken a very important step towards much more live 3D.


Orange OB 3D truck


Experience French Open in 3D
French Open is transmitted in 3D via satellite and you can pick it up from Hot Bird 13 degrees east. This is a free channel from Orange that is live because of the French Open event. But obviously you need a 3DTV.

Most Panasonic Centres are also using their VT20 / VT25 models to display French Open in 3D. Here you can get an demonstration.

Find your local Panasonic Center on www.panasonic.com or your regional Panasonic web site.