FIFA Semi-Finals in HD

TV One and Sky Sports’ HD coverage of the FIFA World Cup is all but over, with the first semi-final, between The Netherlands and Uruguay, kicking off around 6am on Wednesday, and Germany vs Spain 24 hours later.

While it’s been a treat for Kiwis to view the action both free-to-air and on pay-TV in HD, other countries have seen it in 3D — although not as much as some would have liked.

The semi-finals come hard on the sprigged heels of Britain’s Daily Telegraph bemoaning the lack of 3D coverage in the UK, pointing out TV viewers in the US, Japan, Germany, Spain and South Korea have been able to watch four times as many matches in 3D.

It reports 3D telecasts revealed “context and a sense of real flow to games which previously had to focus on individual players” and argues the technology will “shape the look of future sports broadcasts”.

However, today’s Sydney Morning Herald provided a more skeptical take on 3D’s potential, citing scarcity of content, dimmer images and “wretched glasses” as most likely to limit its adoption.

Meanwhile, the World Cup may soon be over but Sky still has several HD aces up its sleeve this month, including continuing coverage of the spectacularly scenic Tour de France and, for the first time in 1080i, the British Open, which screens live from July 15-18.