3D Television Soon to be a Reality for UK Viewers?

With 3D TV displays causing commuters to stumble off escalators in Shanghai’s Metro city and the BBC reporting 3D TV is just around the corner, we’re entering a new age in visual entertainment. Sky also mentions 3d tv is imminent, demonstrating their technology.

Using its High Definition set top box attached to a Hyundai 3D enabled TV, Sky have demonstrated a 3D TV system designed to be delivered direct to UK homes.

Sky’s 3D system works on the same principle as IMAX 3D technology. Polarising glasses filter one of two slightly different images (one for each eye), fooling the brain into thinking it is viewing an image in three dimensions.

It is difficult at this moment in time to judge whether or not Sky are serious about introducing a 3D system for consumers. Interest in 3D has ebbed and flowed for a good few years now and Sky might just be judging consumer interest along with the latest wave of manufacturer interest. LG, Philips, JVC and Panasonic are all working on 3D systems in some shape or form.

Sky have been filming a number of sporting events in 2008 with purpose built 3D cameras. Although you need the special 3D glasses the technology works with an unmodified Sky HD box. 3D TV’s are not currently available in the UK although a number of manufacturers plan to exhibit the technology at this January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

It remains to be seen whether home 3d television is the way of  the future, but it’s an exciting new technology that’s worth keeping an eye on.

While consumer interest in 3d in general has ebbed and flowed over the years, a technology that provides convincing three dimensional visuals without the use of conventional clumsy cardboard glasses then a diminished interest may well be revived again.

Meanwhile, there are a collection of decent 3D movies available at Amazon that come with glasses and offer an impressive experience on your existing tv and dvd player.