New 3D TV match scores with Capital's football supporters

IT GIVES the phrase "keep your eye on the ball" a whole new meaning.

Around 100 lucky football fans at Edinburgh's Sportsters bar felt like they were enjoying front row seats at the Arsenal v Manchester United game yesterday as they experienced the world's first 3D TV match.

The audience members, who had to use their detective skills to sniff out the secret test viewing in the Capital, cheered as the ball leapt out into the crowd and the star players loomed out of the screen.

The special screening only took place in nine pubs across the UK, including the Market Street bar. The venues were specially picked by Sky, which intends to roll out the revolutionary way of watching football across the country in April.

Armed with special 3D glasses, the crowd appeared to get into the swing of things as the action came to life. During the advertisements, tennis balls sailed across the screen and drops of water flew out into the audience.

James Wright, 34, who travelled across from Falkirk for the match, said: "It's fantastic. With that sort of depth it feels like you're actually there as opposed to watching it on the telly. It gives the impression that the TV is about 500 miles long."

Andrew Christie, 37, also from Falkirk, said: "The close-up, mid-range shots were really effective."

And Deborah Morrison, 24, from Livingston said she could see herself getting really into football matches for the first time after experiencing the beautiful game in 3D. She said: "I've never been that interested in watching the footy but this made the atmosphere really effective."

A spokesman for the Sky 3D project said that the company had invested millions in the project, and hoped that it would be available in homes across the UK via a Sky HD box by autumn.

He said: "Obviously the best experience comes when you're physically at the stadium but we believe this is the next best thing."

He added that Sky were looking to show 3D films on television within the next five years.