The third dimension

Sky TV has already announced plans to introduce 3d television via an HD set top box and with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in full swing, further companies are now eagerly spreading the word. Mitsubishi and Samsung, for example, currently sell 3d ready HD TVs, while LG Electronics has unveiled plans to build a stereo 3d chip set into its plasma, lcd and dlp sets. Since the halcyon days of 3d cinema in the 1950s, the format was regarded as little more than a passing fad. However, the ‘multimedia savvy’ 21st Century is a different animal, demanding the highest quality visuals. With the impetus so strong, Panasonic has taken the lead and proposed a full industry standard for 3d HD televisions. And it looks as though the format war may already have been won as Panasonic is looking at Blu-ray as the optimal way to deliver such content. It won’t be easy, because the industry needs to agree on compression schemes, content formats, media standards and interfaces. With the technology in place, the problem of content is being addressed with researchers working at a Hollywood based Blu-ray 3d authoring centre. And, although the legendary 3d spectacles will be required, research is underway to negate their use. Philips, for example, has developed a way of splitting individual pixels into two or more images, achieving 3d effects. However, this system requires displays that support twice the resolution of current HD TV screens and, if viewers move their heads, images blur. For the time being, the glasses will remain and, who knows, could well become this year’s top fashion accessory.