Tonight, hockey fans will get a chance to watch the Capitals hockey game on CSN+ with something called "OvechKam." Basically, it will be a single camera trained on Caps star Alex Ovechkin during the Calgary-Washington game. On split screen will be the rest of the action.

We're all familiar with various experiments in sports event broadcasting. Helmet cams on football players that make you queasy; the cameras on guidelines that run the length of a football field; graphics that show how fast a baseball pitch travels or where the first-down marker is. But in the U.K., they've taken a remarkable step -- they managed to broadcast a rugby game in 3D.

The Scotland-England rugby game played earlier this month was viewed by an audience in a London theater (the game was played in Scotland) and the audience still had to wear the funny glasses but it seemed to work despite the fact that the rainy weather conditions presented a problem.

It's hard telling whether such 3D technology will be practical for routine home use or more likely other technologies -- perhaps super high-def that approximates the feel of "being there" or even holographic imagery will capture the sports consumer marketplace first, but it's amazing nonetheless. Thanks to the Fark Web site for pointing out the BBC article.

Here's a video report on the 3D video broadcast.