The BBC will put a toe in 3D and super high-definition waters at the 2012 Olympics. Roger Mosey, the BBC executive in charge of the corporation’s London 2012 coverage, told reporters at the Edinburgh international television festival that 3D coverage for the 100 metre and other events was “certainly on the agenda”, as part of a “limited experiment.”

Britain’s public broadcaster will also test Super hi-vision, the format developed by Japan’s publica broadcaster NHK, that offer a resolution 16 times bigger than “standard” HDTV. Three 15-metre (50ft) screens will be erected around the country - at the BBC’s Pacific Quay building in Glasgow, Broadcasting House in London and, subject to negotiations, the National Media Museum in Bradford. (Read related article).

“Super hi-vision might be a better long-term prospect than 3D in some ways as it gives you the feel of being in the stadium. People are knocked out by it,” Mosey suggested.

To up the ante, Panasonic is committed to cover key events in 3D as well. The Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment, Panasonic is joining with the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to make the London 2012 Olympic Games the first ever live 3D Olympic Games.

The partnership “will produce the first HD 3D live broadcast in Olympic history, and will allow audiences around the globe to witness the world’s greatest sporting event in immersive 3D,” says Panasonic.

The 3D broadcast will include major events such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, athletics, gymnastics, diving and swimming, and will be produced and delivered to participating rights-holding broadcasters around the world.

OBS will be in charge of producing more than 200 hours of 3D coverage during the London 2012 Olympic Games by utilizing the manufacturer’s state-of-the-art 3D production technologies.

Story filed 08.09.11