2010: when 3D makes the shift from cinema to home
by Mike Harvey and Nigel KendallTV manufacturers and broadcasters are betting heavily that the era of 3-D has arrived. They have launched 3-D TV sets and channels at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in the hope of persuading the public that 2010 will be the year when the technology moves from the cinema to the living room.
They are counting on the recent billion-dollar success of 3-D movies, especially James Cameron’s Avatar, to jump-start the transition. Sport, in particular the World Cup, is also set to be a major catalyst.
In Britain, Sky is likely to introduce its 3D service in time for the World Cup on June 11, industry sources said. However, owners of “3D ready” televisions may be prevented from watching the competition in 3D because ITV and the BBC — not although Sky do not hold the broadcasting rights. ITV and the BBC would have to agree to allow Sky to show the World Cup in 3D, even though Sony is already filming all 64 matches in the format. Any agreement may also be blocked by Fifa, the ultimate rights holder.
The channel will also offer a selection of movies and other entertainment, broadcast across Sky’s existing HD infrastructure and be available via the current generation of Sky+HD set-top boxes. To watch 3D, customers will also require a new ’3D Ready’ TV.
Read the whole story here: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ … 985576.ece
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