ESPN 3D (Channel 106) Issues

Try it direct, without the AV receiver. It's the usual problem cause. You can always run optical or coaxial digital audio to the AV receiver instead of relying on HDMI.

Yeah - that actually is an OK option, since DirecTV doesn't support any of the HD Audio anyways... I just cleaned up all my connections so I could just use my Receiver - But if I have to I think I'll do the above. I'm looking for better solutions though.

have the same problem

Have Elite SC-37

Samsung PN58C7000

Hope any Directv Firmware upgrade can fix the problem

I also just upgraded to a 3D HDTV (Samsung UN55C7000), and an Elite SC-37, so I could get 3D from Blu-rays and DirecTV to the TV, using one connection from the HT receiver to the TV.  This makes it much easier on the members of my family to switch sources, without having to switch TV inputs.  My SC-37 wants to output all of the DirecTV 3D channels at 1080i to the TV.  Of course, this causes problems with ESPN 3D programming (720p native), as well as 3d pay per view on channel 104 (1080p/24 native).  Only 3D programs broadcast in 1080i native resolution are watchable when my HR22 is connected through my SC-37 to the TV.  I've tried every setting in the HR22, the SC-37, and the TV, with no success.  If I run the HDMI cable direct from the HR22 to the TV, of course, 720p and 1080p/24 3D work fine.  I'm now looking at HDMI spliiters as an option, so at least I'll only have to change the TV input to watch 720p or 1080p/24 3D programs, and my wife won't have to deal with changing the TV input to watch DirecTV, vs. Blu-ray, or if our kids want to play the Xbox 360 or Wii.

Whether the problem lies with DirecTV or with the HT receiver manufactures, I hope DirecTV will either resolve this problem in a future software update, or work with the major HT receiver manufacturers to fix it, through HT receiver firmware updates when possible.  I would suspect a large portion of the people who have spent the extra money to buy into 3D, which isn't an insignificant amount, also have a home theater audio system, with either a receiver or a separate pre-amp/processor and amplifier at its heart.  If DirecTV is committed to helping 3D succeed, I think it needs to ensure that its implementation will work with a broad spectrum of AV receivers, as well as 3D HDTVs.  With the video processing capabilities of today's home theater receivers, there's no reason you should need to directly connect a source to a TV, bypassing the HT receiver, and thereby requiring you to change inputs on the TV to watch that source.  Is it a major hassle?  Maybe not, but I hope DirecTV has the internal technical know-how and the commitment to its customers with more sophisticated HT setups to make 3D work seamlessly through a home theater system, rather than having to recommend an inconvient workaround, however minor that inconvenience may be.

I consider a programmable remote a major convenience for a home theater. With many devices in use, an activity can be programmed to change the TV input, the AVR input and output and the source device output with a single button. I recently had an AVR with no HDMI connections. An HDMI 4x1 switch and a Harmony One remote handled everything just fine. Since I got the remote, I have not had one shout from my wife to "fix the TV". It used to be a daily occurrence with the old learning remote.

No argument there, greywolf, and I do use a programmable remote and macros to automate common tasks. That being said, I wouldn't think it beyond DirecTV's technical capabilites to get 3D working through major manufacturers' 3D ready home theater receivers. On the personal computer side, Nvidia is certifying 3d ready HT receivers to work with its 3D implementation for its video cards to 3D ready HDTVS. I would hope that DirecTV would have at least an equivalent level of technical expertise to allow the same functionality for its 3D capable receivers and HD DVRs through 3D ready home theater receivers, rather than settling for a workaround. One of the features of HDMI that I appreciate the most is the ability to deliver HD video and multichannel audio over one cable, rather than having to use separate cables for audio and video. If DirecTV can get their 3D working properly through HT receivers, I only need four cables to connect all of my sources to my HT receiver, and one HDMI cable from the HT receiver to my TV. This makes for a much neater installation, in addition to the simplicity factor.

I've had a beef with HDMI for years on how the standard is written and certified. The field has been rife with incompatibilities. 3D support is just the latest problem. I can't blame DirecTV or Samsung. The receiver and probably the other items involved have firmware update capability so the future could improve things.

I could say my HR24 works fine with my Panny TV and Yamaha AVR so the problem must be with your other equipment but I know better. Incompatible means not working well together, not one thing is perfect and the other thing is broken.

I'm seeing that many people are reporting the same issue with ESPN 3d (ch 106) .  This is particularly frustrating since I purchased my new VT25 plasma based on  Directv's list of recommended sets.  I still get the same error stating that the 720p broadcast being delivered is not supported by my TV.  I know this is not the case as my TV is a 1080p set.  I've called Directv and they have been unhelpful, to say the least. 

So my questions is, is anyone out there able to view ESPN 3D ? and if so, how are you doing it? 

I don't have any problems with ESPN 3D. First set is HR24-200->Denon AV-891->Mits 3DC 3D adapter->Mits WD_73735. Second set is HR24-500 -> Samsung PN50C8000.

Is the HDMI connection direct to the TV or is it running through an AV receiver? Many AVRs are not up to that task.

Those having problems viewing 3D TV channels when the channel is broadcasting in 720p side-by-side (SbS), should read this thread:

http://forums.directv.com/message/10819953#10819953

This only applies if you can successfully see 3D when channel 103 is broadcasting in 1080i side-by-side. ESPN 3D is sent out by DirecTV as 720p SbS.

Since 720p SbS is not a standard format (it is an optional format), some TVs are not compatible with the format. Other manufacturers' TVs may be compatible but the EDID over HDMI tells the HRxx that the TV is not compatible. There is some question as to whether the HRxx is really checking the EDID or has a table look-up of models that are compatible (the model number is available in the EDID). I do not know the answer to that. When you throw in the EDID modifcations that A/V receivers perform to make EDIDs work, it isn't difficult to believe that an AVR adds to the confusion.

I've also talked with ESPN and they stated they send 720p top-and-bottom (TaB) as well as 720p SbS to DirecTV. DirecTV has chosen to only use SbS formats. 720p TaB is a mandatory 3D format unlike 720p SbS, which is an optional format.

We have found a workaround for some JVC projectors. Normally the HRxx will not reformat 3D. However, by using a combination of HDMI connection changes, it is possible to get the HRxx to rescale to 1080i SbS. At that point the JVC works in 3D. However, this is definitely unreliable at best. 1080i SbS is a mandatory 3D format, as well.

So, DirecTV either needs to change the ESPN 3D format they have chosen or TV manufacturers need to modify their sets to make 720p SbS available (either natively or by upscaling).

It continues to seem strange to me that DirecTV would choose to use a format that is not supported by a sizable amount of the 3D TVs that have been sold. It's such a small audience to begin with. Why make it any smaller?  The worst part is that they actually had a choice in this case since ESPN 3D is sending both 720p TaB and 720p SbS to them.

As of 01/31/2011 the problem still exists.  I watched the Winter X Games on Friday night with out a problem.  Tried to join the broadcast on Saturday and the all too familiar error 797 came up along with the resolution message.  Recorded the Joe Bonamassa concert and it worked great.  Watched a portion of a movie on 3D Cinema on Saturday night and on Sunday the 3D Cinema sent me the friendly 797 error message.  I too thought it was my set up.  Called Tech support.  At least they could have made me aware of others having this issue.  Instead, the represenative stated she had been there for 4 1/2 years and this has not been a problem since 3D began to broadcast.  Do they read there own Tech site?  Must not.  My set up is as follows: Mitsubishi WD73737, Mitsubishi 3D Start Up Pack, Panasonic 3D Blu-Ray Player.  I have bypassed my Denon 3310-CI because it is not 3D compatable.  Audio is carried by Digital optic cables, (which doesn't help my 7:1 surround, but for the time being I will deal with that.)  I also have a Monoprice 4x2 splitter that operates flawlessly.  I thought that the switch may have been the issue, but it works great with the 3D Blu-Ray and it worked great when I am able to receive the 3D broadcasts.  The problem must fall to Direct TV.  I wish that they would resolve this issue.  I switched from Dish Network. I had them for 11 years and was extremely happy.  They could not tell me when or if they would offer 3D programming.

I have the same problem.  I filled out an incident report with the following:

"The problem does not lie in the TV. The problem is that DirecTV broadcasts some shows in 720p Side-by-Side format which is not a mandatory 3D format for manufacturers. ESPN sends DirecTV their 3D signals as both 720p Side-by-Side (which is not mandatory) and 720p Top-and-Bottom (which is a mandatory format). For whatever reason DirecTV decided to use the optional SBS 3D signal instead of the compatible TnB 3D signal. Please escalate this issue with a request that DirecTV changes its 720p 3D format to the fully supported 720p TnB format so that all 3D compliant equipment can handle the signal."