2010 World Cup set to feature 3D televised matches

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa will be filmed in 3D for the first time, it has been announced.

Up to 25 of the games will be captured using 3D cameras, football’s governing body Fifa said.

Although it has no definite plans to broadcast the matches live in 3D, Fifa said it was a possibility and would be decided in “the coming months”.

Initially, it said, footage will also be shown at public events in seven cities around the world.

The footage will also be packaged into a film.

Sony technology will be used to film the games, although the firm has not confirmed details of the specific technology it will use.

Sporting firsts

The majority of existing 3D set-ups use two-camera systems to record images tailored specifically for the left and right eye of the viewer.

Special polarised glasses are then used to view the image.

However, earlier this year, the Japanese firm unveiled a single-lens camera, which it said was especially suited for sporting events.

The camera takes a single image that is split by mirrors and recorded on two sensors.

The 3D technology has been used to capture special events before, such as the Queen’s Coronation.

However, regular and widespread use of the technology is still in its infancy.

Now, analysts believe the technology is on the cusp of becoming mainstream and believe the World Cup could play an important role in take-up of the technology.

“Global sporting events... are very important drivers of new technology, particularly in the TV market”, said Tom Morrod, Senior Analyst at Screen Digest.