Announced yesterday, NBC Olympics and Panasonic are going to produce daily 3D broadcasts from the 2012 London Olympic games. The programming will be shown on next-day delay on a variety of providers, including mine which is Verizon FiOS. They are expecting to produce some 242 hours of programming, including opening and closing ceremonies, gymnastics, diving and swimming, cycling, and track & field.

I called Verizon to see what I would need to watch 3D programming on my 3DTV. At first, they said nothing, until I explained that I did not get FiOS on my 3DTV. Then they said that I needed an HD set top box for $11.99 a month, after they verified that they indeed are broadcasting the Olympics in 3D. Apparently, I was the first person to call about it.

So I ordered an HD set top box (nothing fancy, just the receiver) and went to the local Verizon Plus store to pick it up. They were busy, with lots of people returning equipment. After a 45 minute wait, I was waited on, and got my box and a free upgrade to my internet speed. I got home, rearranged the wiring, and even hooked the box up to my A/V receiver so I can get 5.1 sound.

I found the Olympics 3D channel. It was broadcasting a test pattern. I also found the ESPN 3D channel. I selected it, and it said I needed to subscribe, which I chose not to do. But it did try to display the channel placeholder in side-by-side 3D, so it looks like 3D works.