Consumers are getting ready to watch their favourite sports in 3D, with broadcasters, service operators, and content providers competing for viewer attention by providing coverage of live sporting events in 3D.
This is the view of Roger Bolton, head of product line compression, solution area TV, at Ericsson. “3D TV won't be locally available immediately, but as the World Cup will be staged in SA in 2010, it makes it a prime target area.”
However, Bolton says there are no announced plans from broadcasters to handle the broadcast of 3D into the home in SA. A source at MNet confirmed the company has no initial plans to pick up 3D broadcasting.
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago also confirmed the SABC will not broadcast in 3D. Kganyago says while the SABC might be testing some of the technology used to broadcast in 3D, it is focusing on the transition from analogue signal broadcasting to digital signal broadcasting.
He is optimistic that the technology will eventually become mainstream. “Technology is always advancing, and it will only be a matter of time before we see these advances making it into mainstream broadcasting.”
Going 3D
He adds that 3D TV cannot be broadcast over analogue broadcasting signals. “3D TV requires double the bandwidth of HD, and as such a digital network is required to broadcast to the devices.”
However, Corrie Labuschagne, TV product marketing manager at Samsung Electronics SA, says Samsung 3D TVs have the ability to convert 2D television to 3D, which allows consumers to access 3D TV.
Labuschagne adds that Samsung has developed a core 3D image processing technology to provide home customers with multi-platform 3D solutions. “When not in the 3D mode, you're back to watching one of the best performing HD TVs on the market with the push of a button.”
He points out there is a huge focus from major studios to create 3D content, and rework existing material like computer-generated imagery into 3D. “3D content Blu-rays will be played on 3D TVs via the HDMI 1.4 format,” he explains.
Bolton concludes saying that most of the major consumer electronics companies including Sony, LG, Samsung and Panasonic, will release 3D TVs starting in 2010.
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