TORONTO - December 13/2010 - “The Leafs won tonight” (Saturday) against Montreal Canadiens, said one excited hockey fan as they walked out of the Air Canada Centre (ACC) and his friend said “Maybe it’s because it was in 3D” as they beat Canadiens 3-1 in the first ever NHL 3D game across Canada on CBC.
There was a big hype as it was announced recently that the game would be in 3D (and broadcast on several networks, but you needed a 3D television and glasses) and the Leafs didn’t disappoint the fans. There were six 3D “camera rigs” stationed around the ACC sponsored by Panasonic Canada and CBC which gave it extra special feeling for those able to watch the upgrade for the first time from their homes. The second game in 3D will be the outdoor Heritage Classic in Calgary on February 20th when the Flames host the Montreal Canadiens at McMahon Stadium.

If you didn’t have a 3D set for Saturdays game you still have a chance to get one by February and they start at around $2000 and can be used as an HD TV as well when 3D is not available, and Panasonic sells the plasma TV in 46 or 50 inch sizes.
Panasonic Canada General Manager Ian Kilvert was in attendance and offered some technical information about the whole process for 3D delivery.

“The nice thing about it is not just for 3D it’s just that the small percentage of the time you are watching a 3D program whether it’s a blue ray 3D movie or a sporting event like hockey you just switch it with the remote control to 2D and watch high definition it’s the best high definition set we’ve ever made.

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Some concerns have been studied and questioned that the 3D signal can effect some people with headaches and vertigo after watching a full show. Kilvert mentioned, “I read something early on that said about 5% of the population isn’t comfortable watching 3D, so I look at it and say that 95% is, so there is a market there and I feel it’s unfortunate for those 5% who are watching it that can’t, and may get vertigo but it is a very small minority.” It has been reported that the way 3D works is it tricks the brain with the double image which gives the full impact of 3D.

Currently Panasonic is getting top notch reviews from publications like Consumer Reports and “Plasma technology really lends itself well to 3D, so we’re really pleased with that and it’s going to take a bit of time for it to catch on, and positive reaction from this game will certainly help” said Kilvert.

There are about 70,000 3D sets across Canada and after the Christmas Holidays Kilvert expects sales to dramatically increase since it can be used in highly successful HD mode as well.
We started with black and white, went to color, then HD and now 3D, and it just keeps getting better and better and Kilvert also mentioned that Christmas may be the best time to snag a new 3D set for your home.

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This is where the “3D” magic happens. ———- >

Daniel … Toronto, CANADA