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360 Replays announced today that they have successfully completed development of a 40 camera, 3D sports replay system known as VantEDGE technology that can be used to capture and playback live video from many angles during sports events.

“The system has undergone many tests including feasibility studies in hockey and boxing, and we plan on taking this to the next level in Las Vegas this year.” said Michael Brown, chief software architect at 360 Replays and creator of the technology. “We’ve started to put the wheels in motion to develop the same technology in HD, and plan on targeting major indoor sports this year to utilize the exciting possibilities this system offers in terms of analyzing goals, and a concept called digital refereeing.”

As the initial wave of promotion and underwriting of events fades away, the financial reality of 3D TV is coming under scrutiny. Broadcasters, particularly those with significant commitments to full channels rather than one-off events, are under pressure to bring costs in line with 2D. ESPN for example which launched a sports only 3D channel last summer needs to find a way that will allow it to produce at least 100 stereo events annually at an absolute minimum of additional cost or it may review its commitment.

Bryan Burns, VP of Strategic Business Planning, shared the following thoughts on the state of 3D television as part of his introductory remarks for the ESPN 3D Research event today in New York:

Two days ago at the Blu-con conference in Los Angeles, James Cameron, who produced Avatar in 3D and just announced Avatar 2 and 3 would be produced in 3D, said “3D is a renaissance that will be fueled not by movies, but by live sports, music and comedy.”  Interesting.  He went on to say, “the launch of HDTV wasn’t a flirtation, it’s now pretty ubiquitous, and 3D will be the same.”  He also said, “I hate golf, but things like The Masters golf will woo mass audiences.”  ESPN, of course, produced The Masters in 3D last spring.

After the previously announced NBA 3D games. The NBA will have more 3D games on ESPN3D for the 2010-2011 NBA season. The first new game will be on Christmas day, so even more reason to ask for that awesome 3Dtv. The NBA 3D Christmas day game features the Chicago Bulls at the New York Knicks.

The other games that have been added are in Phoenix, with the Suns hosting the Lakers and the Trailblazers on January 5th and January 7th. That being said, here is the full NBA 3D schedule.

ESPN 3D Announces First NBA Regular-Season Game Dec. 17 – Miami at New York
14 NBA Games on ESPN 3D in 2010-11

The first-ever NBA telecast on ESPN 3D will feature the Miami Heat and its new core of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh versus the New York Knicks and Amare Stoudemire at Madison Square Garden – the Heat’s first trip to the Garden this season – on Friday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. ET. This highly anticipated matchup will be the first of eight regular-season NBA games on the new network. Other schedule highlights include Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers appearing twice on ESPN 3D (Friday, Jan. 21, and Friday, Feb. 11) as well as the Orlando Magic with Dwight Howard making two appearances – Friday, Feb. 25, and Friday, March 4.