Coming atcha in 3-D!

Why did I not line-up with the masses at the VANOC asset sale in Delta?

The 200,000 items were bought by the provincial government as part of its bailout of VANOC and Games-used high definition TVs were listed at $199 for Sharp 19-inch and $499 for Panasonic 40-inch.

HD TV is a relatively new innovation in North America and it will already be obsolete by this Christmas when 3-D high definition TVs will be among the must-have items.

In fact, 3-D is the next revolution in movie and TV experience. You can thank Fox and its Avatar. We've come along way from Dr. Tongue's 3-D House of Stewardesses.

NCAA Final Four games are being offered in select movie theatres around the United States in 3-D.

An April 3 match between Manchester United and Chelsea was shown in 1,000 pubs around the United Kingdom in 3-D. Sky TV, which is owned by Fox, will offer a 3-D channel with English Premier League soccer matches to 2 million homes this fall.

Coming this June - in time for the FIFA World Cup - is ESPN's 3-D network. Only in the United States? Pity.

Broadcasters and film producers have solved two problems with 3-D. It'll allow them to generate new revenue with premium ticket and subscription prices from viewers who want a better experience. 3-D also gets them one step ahead of counterfeiters. Hardware makers like Panasonic, Sony, LG and Samsung are also salivating at the potential for the next generation of the boob tube.

Panasonic's pavilion at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics showcased Olympic ceremony footage in 3-D. Vancouver's Olympics were the first Winter Games in full high definition from the source. Sadly, they will also be remembered as the last of the 2-D broadcast era.