Cowboys' 3D Videoboard Broadcast Ill-Received By Fans, Press

Writers, Fans Unimpressed By Cowboys' 3D Videoboard Broadcast Yesterday

The Cowboys broadcast in 3D on their videoboard during the beginning of the second half of yesterday's game against the Chargers, and the effect was "underwhelming," according to Gil LeBreton of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. It was an "ill-advised attempt at a historic 3-D telecast," as it was like "being held hostage in an optometrist's office." LeBreton: "What exactly was supposed to be flying out at us, besides ... Miller Lite ads?" LeBreton notes when the videoboard "went back to the regularly scheduled programming, the audience loudly cheered" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/14). In Dallas, Evan Grant notes HDLogix, which provided the 2D to 3D conversion system, had "touted that beginning with the second-half kickoff, fans at Cowboys Stadium were going to be treated to the 'first live 3D broadcast ever to be shown on giant video screens at a major sporting event.'" But Grant writes the "worst decision of the day" was made by "whoever was in charge of blurring" the videoboard. The videoboard was "switched back to obsolete HD" with 8:10 left in the third quarter, and the crowd "roared" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/14). FANHOUSE.com's Nancy Gay wrote watching the videoboard in 3D was "like riding the Zipper immediately after eating a funnel cake at the carnival in a Wal-Mart parking lot," as it produced an "annoying, nauseating feeling" (FANHOUSE.com, 12/13). ESPNDALLAS.com's Calvin Watkins noted Cowboys fans "don't like the video board in 3D," as they "booed when the PA [announcer] said the game was being shown on the video board in 3D" (ESPNDALLAS.com, 12/13).

FLAWLESS: In California, Scott Bair noted Chargers President Dean Spanos Saturday toured Cowboys Stadium, "inspecting a dream stadium he wants." Bair wrote of Cowboys Stadium, "This stadium is truly one-of-a-kind, a landmark that could've only been built in Texas. ... If this Death Star has a weakness, I haven't found it" (NCTIMES.com, 12/13).