Attenborough: 3D but no gimmicks
In a TV environment where an ITV3 On The Buses repeat was among the most-watched digital programmes on Christmas Day it’s going to take time for Sky’s much-promoted 3D innovation to break through.
So will donning the 3D glasses replace EastEnders as a festive viewing tradition? Only if there’s content that really justifies the TV set upgrade. That’s where Sky’s coup of signing David Attenborough to present a 75-minute paleontology special, Flying Monsters, comes in to play.
The flying pterosaurs, the subject of the film, are ideal material for 3D and within minutes we’ve got airborne reptiles leaping out of the screen to snap up unfortunate, buzzing insects.
Crucially, this is a proper Attenborough evolution film and the 3D is used to enhance the scholastic account of the pterosaur rise and fall. There are as many scenes of paleontologists raking over stones as soaring Quetzalcoatl shadowing Dave in his glider.
It’s similar territory to Walking With Dinosaurs but seeing fossil bones leap into the air to form the soaring creatures of yore is fun and informative. Attenborough insisted the 3D musn’t be used as a gimmick and the decision pays off.
Next time he’s making a 3D film about South Georgia’s King Penguins for Sky. It’s bound to be spectacular although the subject feels like it’s already been well covered cinematically.
Will there be enough essential programmes to justify hard-pressed families splashing out on a £1,000-plus set and a £50 a month Sky World subscription?
Movies are the other lure and if the 3D TV premiere of Avatar hasn’t inspired some festive large-screen purchases, nothing will.
The great advantage of home-viewing is being able to speed through the dull patches, get to the long-overdue bombing of the Na’vi spiritual home and enjoy James Cameron’s spectacular as a technological tour-de-force.
Viewers will need the biggest possible screen to get the most out of it though – even the substantial 47″ LG model promoted by Sky for once seems a little modest.
And Sky’s 3D, using passive glasses and side-by-side technology requires the viewer to sit two metres away and directly in front of the screen, so living rooms will need to erect a tiered-seating arrangement or friends watching in the wings will just get a blurry fudge.
Xmas viewers could also enjoy Arsenal-Chelsea in 3D and it can’t be long before Sky launches a dedicated 3D Sports channel – tennis and rugby work particularly well.
If 3D is to become the mass-market home technology that Sky believes it will then it’s going to need other broadcasters, and the BBC in particular to buy in to the concept.
The BBC is talking about showing some of the 2012 Olympics in 3D but seems content to let Sky make the running and the early investment. Until then viewers lucky enough to have the kit and fast forward at the ready, can just gawp at Avatar’s greatest hits.
“long-overdue bombing of the Na’vi spiritual home?” WTF? Do we take it you were in favour if the Iraq war and the genocide perpetrated against Native Americans too? Vince was right.