3ality Digital to Follow Groundbreaking Live 3D NFL Broadcast With Nationwide Broadcast of FedEx BCS National Championship Game
Game will air in 80 theaters in 35 states on January 8th as part of agreement with Fox Sports, Sony and Cinedigm.
3ality Digital, LLC today announced that it will present an encore performance of its groundbreaking live stereoscopic 3D technology with a live 3D broadcast of the FedEx BCS Championship Game between the University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma on Jan. 8th, 2009.
3ality Digital is partnering with Fox Sports, Sony and Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. to bring the game to more than 80 theaters across the U.S. through Cinedigm’s CineLive(TM) satellite distribution network, marking the first time a live 3D broadcast will be available to consumers nationally. The 3D broadcast will also be seen by more than 1,200 invited guests at the Consumer Electronics Show in the RealD-enabled theater in the Paris Hotel and Casino’s Theatre des Arts in Las Vegas. The transmission will utilize trucks provided by Game Creek Video.
On December 4th, 3ality Digital opened a new horizon in sports broadcasting by partnering with the NFL to offer the first live 3D broadcast of an NFL game. The game was shown to more than 700 invited guests in three RealD-enabled theaters in Los Angeles, New York City and Boston. Response was enthusiastic, including praise from the NFL, and with members of the press pronouncing the broadcast “one of those transformative moments in our culture” and “groundbreaking.”
“We think the time for live 3D broadcast is now,” said Sandy Climan, CEO of 3ality Digital. “The December 4th NFL event was a highly successful test of that premise, and we look forward to moving the ball even further along with this innovative broadcast, which will be the first national live 3D sports event viewable by thousands of fans across the country. We’re delighted to be working with best-in-class partners to make this possible.”
The product of more than 10 years of development, the company’s proprietary stereoscopic 3D image capture and processing technology makes it possible for 3ality Digital to shoot the game, as well as provide edits, transitions and graphics, in pixel-perfect digital 3D. The images are then multiplexed for transmission using current 2D infrastructure, which includes the use of regular broadcast trucks. 3ality Digital’s technology is designed to augment the capabilities of current production, post-production and broadcast teams, rather than replace them, and is applicable to digital filmmaking, as well as live and scripted television production and broadcast.
“We believe the best way to grow this market is to share our advances,” said Steve Schklair, CEO of 3ality Digital Systems, the technology subsidiary of 3ality Digital. “We’ve developed our technology to be licensable across a variety of uses, and to support multiple delivery formats, including 3D-enabled televisions, which will eventually appear in home entertainment systems, perhaps sooner than we think.”
The FedEx BCS game 3D broadcast will be viewable in multiplexes across 35 states. To find a theater, please visit http://www.3alitydigital.com/blog.aspx
Source: 3ality Digital, LLC
Verizon to Offer NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football Dec. 18 Matchup, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Verizon is offering NFL Network’s “Thursday Night Football” matchup on Dec. 18, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, live on the Internet via Verizon’s NFL Network Game Extra Service for broadband subscribers who also subscribe to NFL Network.
WHAT: NFL Network Game Extra provides subscribers with an interactive broadcast, allowing fans to select from multiple camera angles, get up-to-the-minute game statistics, drive chart simulations, on-demand video highlights, live chats with other NFL Network Game Extra viewers and live audio feeds. To view a demo of the NFL Game Extra service, go to: http://nflntour.verizon.net/.
WHERE: To watch the game, customers log on to their Verizon consumer broadband accounts and access through the Surround entertainment site (http://www.verizon.net/nfl). Games can be viewed at home or using any broadband connection to log on remotely. NFL Game Extra is free for Verizon broadband customers.
WHEN: Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 8 p.m. Eastern, Thursday (Dec. 18)
Source: Verizon
Former NFL Coach Mike Ditka Helps Young Athletes Win Big at the American Youth Football National Championship Games
“Da Coach” extended his support while hosting celebratory events in Central Florida
During his stay at his award- winning resort, Runaway Beach Club, in Central Florida on Dec. 10, Super Bowl- winning Coach Mike Ditka offered encouragement and support to young athletes competing at the 2008 Under Armour American Youth Football (AYF) National Championship Games.
American Youth Football, Inc., an international youth football organization established to promote the wholesome development of youth through their association with adult leaders in the sport of American football, hosted its annual week-long National Championship Games at Austin Tindall Park beginning Dec. 6. This year, the tournament included more than 6,000 young athletes between the ages of 5-16.
Coach Ditka, former NFL Coach of the 1985 Super Bowl champs the Chicago Bears, spent the afternoon interacting with this year’s participants. Ditka emphasized the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship in a competitive setting while zealously engaging in activities both on and off the field.
“It’s important to remind these young athletes that it’s not always about winning. It’s about remaining focused on your goals and doing your best to achieve them,” said Ditka.
Later that evening, “Da Coach” personally hosted two additional events celebrating the year’s successes at his award-winning Runaway Beach Club Resort. Ditka welcomed AYF coaches and players to his family-friendly resort for a casual barbeque, giving them the opportunity to set aside their competitive edge and celebrate their achievements together in good fun.
Mike Ditka’s Runaway Beach Club Resort is the recipient of Orbitz’s “Best in Family Stay 2008″ Award for the Walt Disney World area. It is located in the heart of the Orlando attractions area and features state-of-the-art amenities for both adults and children alike.
After the barbeque, Ditka also hosted the “AYF Hall of Fame Awards” ceremony. As an NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer, the coach realizes the importance of giving credit where credit is due. This special evening honored individuals who have donated more than 20 years of their time to coaching youth football across the nation.
During the ceremony, Joe Galat, President of AYF and former NFL coach, joined Coach Ditka to address the coaches who have consistently extended a helping hand to the organization and presented awards to this year’s Hall of Fame recipients.
Runaway Beach Club
Runaway Beach Club Resort is the quintessential example of a family- friendly atmosphere combined with a unique Orlando vacation experience. Featuring spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom villas and situated on 16 acres of enchanting tropical landscaping, Mike Ditka’s Runaway Beach Club has something for everyone. Two Florida-themed pools present the perfect complement to your comfort and relaxation. The South Beach themed pool is adult oriented with a connecting sundeck to enjoy the Florida sun. The Key West themed pool is more flamboyant and colorful, combining zero depth entry safety with kid friendly water features to create a pool experience unlike any other for the entire family. Other amenities include wireless broadband Internet access, an indoor basketball court, a 24-hour professional fitness center, and a whirlpool spa. The property also offers complimentary shuttle service to the Walt Disney World theme parks and is managed by international hospitality group, Geneva Hospitality.
For more information on Mike Ditka’s Runaway Beach Club Resort, visit www.mikeditkaresorts.com or call 888-512-2200.
American Youth Football
AYF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and National Youth Partner of the National Football League. AYF provides support services, scholarships, grants, “Giving Back” programs and tournaments to over 500,000 youth members. Representing more than 1,800 local associations with participants in more than 2,000 cities, AYF is the only youth football program with members in all 50 states and several countries worldwide. AYF is committed to Giving Back and since its inception in 1996, has successfully donated over $14 million dollars in grants and athletic products to communities that support youth football. AYF offers all-inclusive football and cheer divisions to every team and league, enabling every child a place and an opportunity to play.
For more information visit www.americanyouthfootball.com.
Another Mayes Picked for Football University Youth All-American Bowl
Connor “Big Red” Mayes to play side by side with Brother Alex
Connor “Big Red” Mayes, a 7th grader at Van Alstyne Middle School will play in the First Football University Youth All-American Bowl. The game will be played January 4 in San Antonio at the Alamodome. Football University is organized by Sportslink, creators of the U.S. All Army All-American Bowl, a game for the nation’s best prep players which takes place on Jan 3, also in the Alamodome.
Connor “Big Red” is a dominant offensive tackle and a tremendous attacking defensive lineman. The “Big Red” nickname comes from his fiery red hair and was given to him by his teammates and his opponents of the McKinney Sports Connection Football League. Connor’s size and strength makes him a standout in both positions. He’ll likely play offensive guard in the bowl game, next to his brother, Alex Mayes, who was selected for top lineman.
“With Connor and Alex playing on the same left side they’ll be the quarterback’s best friends. Both are terrific lineman with the size to dominate. Connor, 12, is 6’0 and 220lbs and Alex, 14, is 6’5 and 230lbs, qualities that can’t be coached,” said their father, Allen Mayes. “For their size, both boys have quick feet and move well. Each has a different game. Connor is a very physical, passionate player. Alex is physical too but excels at technique,” Mayes added.
Connor was nominated for 7th grade game by the Football University’s Camp, which had a weight limit. He was promoted to play on the 8th grade West team. The boys along with 60 other players from around the country will report to San Antonio on Dec 30, 2008.
Youth All-American Bowl Week will showcase the top 60 7th graders and the top 60 8th graders. The week will consist of practices, a skills competition, break-out sessions with Hall of Famers, current and former NFL stars, and celebrities such as legendary high school football coach Herman Boone. The Youth All-Americans will have VIP access to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and will also be honored during the game on Saturday, January 3, 2009.
Selected players are profiled in SI for Kids as All-Americans.
For more information, visit:
http://www.footballuniversity.org/
http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/
Source: Allen Mayes