Channel 4 to beat Sky to 3D with it’s own 3D TV Week

Channel 4 has announced it will host a “3D Week” sometime this Autumn, beating SKY’s 2010 launch of their 3D TV Channel.

The move is little more than a gimmick, however, since Channel 4 plans to use a very simple implementation of 3D: ColorCode Technology. This basically enables Channel 4 to broadcast a vaguely altered picture which when viewed through the amber and blue filters on the cardboard glasses will give a vague 3D effect.

Channel 4 plans to air “The Queen in 3D” and Derren Brown’s “3D Magic Spectacular” during the 3D fest.

While viewers will still need some kind of glasses for SKY’s offering they will also need a particular type of television to support the new technology. Keep your eyes open for 3D ready television’s to start popping up everywhere.

You won’t believe your eyes when 3D TV becomes reality

I’m sitting in Paris and some butterflies are fluttering towards me. Loads of them, perfectly clearly. I could allow one to land on my hand, or catch one of the rose petals being blown towards me - except I can’t, because they’re not real. They’re images on a TV in high definition - and in perfect 3D. They look life-sized and real, and I’m not wearing any silly spectacles other than the ones I wear all the time.

People have been working on convincing 3D without the glasses for a long time and the demo is breathtaking. It’s on a prototype Philips TV, which won’t be available for a while.

The new technology shows actual 3D and it’s impressive. It’s not totally natural; if the camera has focused on the foreground, it’s not possible to focus on the background as there is no clear image there for your eye to pick up. Once you’re used to that it looks perfect. But how quickly will the market embrace it?

via Inside IT: You won’t believe your eyes when 3D TV becomes reality | Technology | The Guardian.

Sky Hi-Def 3D TV Broadcast Demo (Sky+3D)

Sky have a recently announced their move towards 3D broadcasts, revealing that they’ve already begun filming some sporting events using dual camera rigs to capture images for the left and right eye. These two images are then kept synchronized throughout the editing process and finally broadcast side by side via a standard Sky Hi Definition set-top box. A 3D ready television is required to combine these images on the screen, creating the 3D effect.

The current technology still requires polarizing glasses to get the full effect, however Sky and some 3D television manufacturers (Samsung, Phillips) have revealed plans and television models that would display a three-dimensional picture without the use of special specs.

Watch this space.

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.