3D TV Ready for Prime-Time?
By Kim Tong-hyung
South Korea is viewing the future through a pair of three-dimensional (3D) glasses, but debate continues on whether the picture is rosy or grainy.
The immense success of James Cameron’s film “Avatar,” packed with computer generated images, is proving to be a major inspiration for the Lee Myung-bak government, which vows to make the country an international hub for stereoscopic 3D technology and content.
According to recently-announced government initiatives, the country will have full-blown 3D broadcasting networks by 2013 and at least 20 percent of movies, television shows and video games will be produced in 3D by 2015.
About 800 billion won (about $712 million) will be invested in the five-year-plan, which aims to create a 14-trillion-won market for the new technology and content. It will lead to the creation of about 40,000 new jobs.
The 3D airwaves will be first tested in October, when national television stations and government technology institutes begin to collaborate to start trial services for terrestrial 3D broadcasting in major Korean cities.
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