3D Demo Days Kick Off This Weekend

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 9/8/2010

Arlington, Va. - The Consumers Electronics Association (CEA), ESPN and consumer electronics retailers across the country will jointly demonstrate 3D TV for the home with a series of special 3D TV showcases beginning the weekend.

The showcases, called National 3D Demo Days Powered by CEA and ESPN, are planned to run from Sept. 10-12, and will involve major consumer electronics retail chains, including Best Buy, CompUSA, Fry's Home Electronics, Sam's Club, Sears and independent specialty retailers across the country.

These outlets across the country will host special events, promotions and demonstrations with staff on hand to help show consumers how they can enjoy the 3D experience at home.

A complete listing of participating retailers and locations can be found at www.digitaltips.org/3d.

Among consumers who have seen 3D TV, nearly half rated the experience as "excellent" (46 percent), and eight in 10 (79 percent) rated the visual experience positively, according to CEA research.

ESPN, in collaboration with AT&T, Comcast and DirecTV, will bring the following sporting events directly to stores for consumers to watch as part of national program.

On Sept. 11, at 3:40 p.m. ET, ESPN 3D will feature the live telecast of college football's defending Big Ten Conference champion No. 3 Ohio State hosting No. 19 Miami of the ACC.

Additional ESPN 3D programming in stores will include the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the X Games 16; a 3D replay of college football's Boise State vs. Virginia Tech; and footage from the Harlem Globetrotters.

DirecTV will provide the U.S. Open tennis semifinal and final matches live in 3D on the channel n3D, powered by Panasonic, on Sept. 10, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET; Sept. 11, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, and 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET; and Sept. 12, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.