Tag Archives: Discovery

3net, a 24/7 3D network, set to launch Sunday on DirecTV

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I know you’ve been waiting with so much anticipation since late December 2009 to hear this news. DirecTV is nearly ready to launch the 24/7 3D network dubbed 3net, the joint venture of Sony Corp., Discovery Communications, and IMAX Corp. On Sunday, February 13 at precisely 8PM ET 3net will be accessible exclusively to DirecTV customers. The network plans to premiere original 3D series and programs every night at 9PM ET. Sony, Discovery, and IMAX hope that the network will “serve as a critical driver for consumer adoption of in-home 3D entertainment” with their goal for the channel “to offer viewers the largest library of native 3D entertainment content in the world by the end of 2011.” China Revealed, Into the Deep, and Forgotten Planet is the Feb. 13 lineup, so if you’re a satellite subscriber and own a 3DTV tune to channel 107 to experience TV in an entirely new dimension. Official PR after the break.

[Via Engadget] Continue reading 3net, a 24/7 3D network, set to launch Sunday on DirecTV →

BBC presents another fascinating look at our world with ‘Human Planet’

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After examining our world’s oceans in The Blue Planet (2001) and the intricacies of nature in Planet Earth (2006), BBC is preparing to unveil its next big documentary that “marvels at mankind’s incredible relationship with nature in the world today.”  It’s called Human Planet.

Uniquely in the animal kingdom, humans have managed to adapt and thrive in every environment on Earth. Each episode takes you to the extremes of our planet: the arctic, mountains, oceans, jungles, grasslands, deserts, rivers and even the urban jungle. Here you will meet people who survive by building complex, exciting and often mutually beneficial relationships with their animal neighbours and the hostile elements of the natural world.

The production crew behind the upcoming doc filmed in around 80 locations using state-of-the-art HD cameras.  So you can expect the visuals to be stunningly beautiful, but isn’t that the norm for BBC/Discovery documentary series?

Human Planet will air in eight parts.  It began broadcasing January 13 on BBC One in the UK and an international release will follow shortly after the series ends there.  Watch the trailer for it above, and look after the break for two more sneak peeks.

[Via Gizmodo] Continue reading BBC presents another fascinating look at our world with ‘Human Planet’ →

BBC’s ‘Life’ captures nature like you’ve never seen it before

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Using camera techniques like time lapse and shooting at 2000 FPS, a documentary film crew captured all kinds of animals and plants in ways you’ve likely never seen before.  In fact, they managed to shoot the growth of plants and actions of animals for the very first time on camera.  Embedded above is a two minute preview.  Life is an 11-part series that premiere on Discovery March 21 at 8PM.

[Via Gizmodo]

Meet Anchiornis huxleyi, the first colorized dinosaur

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Paleontologists discovered 29 melanosome samples from the body of the 155-million-year-old Anchiornis huxleyi.  By comparing the samples to the feathers and colors of modern birds they were able to map out the dino’s colors, making Anchiornis the first true-color picture of a dinosaur.  Sure, we’ve seen recreations of dinosaurs in color in textbooks, stories, and film.  Difference here is that this is for realz.  Neat, huh?

[Via NatGeo; Gizmodo]

ESPN & Discovery to broadcast first 3D programming

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In addition to the 3D programming DirecTV promises to bring this year, ESPN and Discovery have stepped up to the plate with plans to share 3D broadcasts of their own content.

On June 11 ESPN will launch a brand new channel appropriately called “ESPN 3D” and will air their first 3D broadcast with a World Cup soccer match.  According to USA Today: “ESPN 3D expects to showcase at least 85 live sporting events during the first year. There’ll be no reruns initially, so the network will be dark when there’s no 3D event. Among other events planned for 3D broadcast: the Summer X Games (extreme sports), NBA games, college basketball and college football.”

Discovery, Sony, and IMAX have joined forces to broadcast the world’s first 24/7 dedicated 3D TV network.  Discovery was the first to bring a 24/7 basic cable HD channel in 2002, so this all makes sense, right?  The trifecta plans to switch on such a channel sometime in 2011.  Bummer, I know.  At least we’ll have ESPN 3D to whet our appetite before we immerse ourselves into wild documentaries.

And remember kids–in order to watch HD 3D programming you are required to go out and purchase a compatible TV set along with those pesky glasses.  Expect the first wave of 3D-enabled TV sets to hit stores this spring.

[Via USA Today; Engadget, here & here]

NASA finds wa-wa on our lunar sphere

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Project Scientist Anthony Colaprete on the matter: “I’m here today to tell you that indeed, yes, we found water. And we didn’t find just a little bit; we found a significant amount.”

NASA shares: “If the water that was formed or deposited is billions of years old, these polar cold traps could hold a key to the history and evolution of the solar system, much as an ice core sample taken on Earth reveals ancient data.”

And my personal favorite: “In addition, water and other compounds represent potential resources that could sustain future lunar exploration.”

Future exploration means potential living spaces outside our own planet.  Just the idea of expanding Earth’s population onto other planets (or moons) provokes massive amounts of excitement.  To infinity and beyond!

[Via NASA]