3D TV

Expected to debut sometime in 2010, LG’s 23-inch HDTV will feature a 1920 X 1080 pixel resolution 3D display which purportedly offers image quality that’s almost twice as crisp as existing 3D monitors, thanks to LG’s proprietary “high performance 3D exclusive controller” and “copper bus line.”

The South Korean electronics manufacturer estimates that the 3D TV market will exceed 30 million units by 2012.  The Korea Communications Commission has set the 3D world abuzz with plans to start a 3D broadcast trial service in 2010 using its terrestrial networks.  Licensing begins in January and first broadcasts are expected sometime later that year.  Engadget is also reporting Korea’s PPV providers want a piece of the pie too, with CJ HelloVision set to offer 3D content through its video-on-demand offerings in late 2009.  CJ HelloVision will initially target about 300 households with plans to extend the service to 1,000 homes by 2012.

Electronics manufacturers are betting big that 3D TV will catch on with the public.  Sony has announced big plans and up to 25 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches in South Africa will be produced in 3D TV.

Philips WOWvx technology was on the market for several years, but Philips discontinued the sale of its marque 42-inch 3D display in March.  Philips mainly targeted business to business applications, but predicted the gaming industry would eventually open up this technology to the consumer market.  Alas, in the end, the hefty price tag and low demand caused the demise of the WOWvx display.  However, many manufacturers are counting on an explosive growth in the 3D electronics industry and this may spur renewed interest in auto-stereoscopic (no glasses) 3D monitors.

The Chairman of Sony is forecasting 3D TV, movies, pictures and games will be the electronics maker’s next $10 billion business.  Sony’s profits have tumbled over the past two years, posting consecutive losses for the first time in 50 years.

Hoping to turn things around, Sony is forecasting its 3D-related products will generate more than $11 billion in the 12 months ending March 2013.  Sony will begin offering 3D TVs, Blu-ray players and game consoles that adopt the technology starting next fiscal year.

Sony also confirmed that the PlayStation 3 will be receiving a firmware update to enable 3D gaming by the end of 2010.

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Sony PS3 3D

Debuting at the International Broadcast Exhibition in Japan, Sony’s 21-foot wide 3D LED entertained a massive audience.  By using anaglyphic technology, Sony’s 3D TV projects images to both the left and right eye, and the viewer’s special polarized glasses blends the image it receives from each eye, and our brain interprets the differences as being the result of different distances, creating a 3D illusion.

The electronic entertainment industry is gearing up for 3D mania in 2010 with 3D TV and 3D Blu-ray players expected to become standard household items in Japan.  Sony is even working on a 3D enabled PS3 console.

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AVATAR, James Cameron’s epic animation/live-action adventure film is coming to theaters next month, and it could be the most revolutionary 3D project ever.  Cinema has long experimented with using 3D elements to enhance the viewer experience, often resulting in cheesy side attractions (see JAWS 3D), but AVATAR could bring it all around. The 3D elements of AVATAR may actually serve to enhance the storyline and provide a delicate touch of immersion film goers have yet to experience.

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