Popular video service DIRECTV and Panasonic launched today three 3D channels, including n3D powered by Panasonic - a linear channel dedicated exclusively to 3D programming and viewable on 3D television sets including Panasonic?s line of VIERA Full HD 3D TVs.
n3D powered by Panasonic, is now available at no additional cost to DIRECTV HD customers on channel 103. Throughout the month of July, n3D customers will have access to original 3D programming such as Guitar Center Sessions with Peter Gabriel and Jane's Addiction, as well as additional titles such as, Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia, Wild Safari: A South African Adventure and N Wave Picture's S.O.S Planet, African Adventure: Safari in the Okavango and Encounter in the Third Dimension.
n3D will also offer special events such as this weekend?s running of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400, the local broadcast of the Yankees-Mariners series on July 10-11 and DIRECTV's exclusive, national broadcast of FOX Sports 2010 MLB All-Star Game in 3D on July 13.
In addition to n3D, DIRECTV is also launching DIRECTV Cinema in 3D on channel 104, which is currently offering IMAX titles Deep Sea 3D and Under the Sea 3D and n3D On Demand on channel 105, which is currently delivering replays of ESPN's 3D coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. DIRECTV also launched ESPN 3D on channel 106 on June 11.
Panasonic is the exclusive presenting sponsor of DIRECTV's n3D channel. In January at the Consumer Electronics Show, DIRECTV and Panasonic announced their plans to launch 3D TV channels and have since worked together to leverage relationships with programming partners and movie studios to obtain new and existing 3D content.
Last month, DIRECTV HD customers received a free software upgrade enabling them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.
Panasonic has developed the world?s first Full HD 3D video camera that records to solid-state memory, is offering Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc authoring, and the VT-25 Series of Full HD 3D VIERA Plasma TVs and 3D Blu-ray Disc Players.