satsmo
4th June, 2009, 11:06 PM
The broadcast industry is divided over whether or not to standardise 3D TV, according to new research from the Digital Television Group (DTG).
The industry association, which represents broadcasters and manufacturers, this week released the results of its first consultation concerning 3D TV and is facing the prospect of trying to unite a market that is split over how 3D TV should be developed.
One camp, which includes ITV and many television set manufacturers, is championing a considered approach based on creating a standard using full resolution per eye, backward-compatible technology that takes into account the requirements of all social groups, but requires glasses and new 3D receivers.
In contrast, Sky is keen to pursue an HD-based approach that uses their current infrastructure and set-top boxes, as this would bring 3D services to market quicker.
While it is possible that both approaches could succeed, the DTG and many of its members believe that a unified approach will reap the best rewards. It plans to host an industry seminar to discuss these issues in September, at which point it will also publish
a five-year roadmap.
?Whoever goes first could set the standards not just for the UK but possibly the rest of Europe,? said DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies. ?One of ITV?s concerns is that if there is not a good solid industry view on [3D], it might be forced down a route that is not ideal for terrestrial. And, as capacity is more accessible on satellite, the satellite operators may choose something that is very hard to follow. It is our job to try to create both a commercial and technical balance.?
BSkyB head of new product design and innovation Brian Lenz said: ?Part of the reason why we?re able to think about introducing such services is thanks to the investments we?ve made in backing our belief in HD, an infrastructure that provides a real framework for future innovation. Harnessing existing capabilities clearly has the potential to lead to an earlier introduction of initial 3D services, which is good for both consumers and the industry alike.
?By validating the demand for 3D through this approach, you would have to assume that this would [also] serve to highlight the demand for free-to-air, non-HD propositions further down the line.?
Source: Industry split over 3DTV standardisation | News | Broadcast (http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/technology/industry-split-over-3dtv-standardisation/5002136.article)
The industry association, which represents broadcasters and manufacturers, this week released the results of its first consultation concerning 3D TV and is facing the prospect of trying to unite a market that is split over how 3D TV should be developed.
One camp, which includes ITV and many television set manufacturers, is championing a considered approach based on creating a standard using full resolution per eye, backward-compatible technology that takes into account the requirements of all social groups, but requires glasses and new 3D receivers.
In contrast, Sky is keen to pursue an HD-based approach that uses their current infrastructure and set-top boxes, as this would bring 3D services to market quicker.
While it is possible that both approaches could succeed, the DTG and many of its members believe that a unified approach will reap the best rewards. It plans to host an industry seminar to discuss these issues in September, at which point it will also publish
a five-year roadmap.
?Whoever goes first could set the standards not just for the UK but possibly the rest of Europe,? said DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies. ?One of ITV?s concerns is that if there is not a good solid industry view on [3D], it might be forced down a route that is not ideal for terrestrial. And, as capacity is more accessible on satellite, the satellite operators may choose something that is very hard to follow. It is our job to try to create both a commercial and technical balance.?
BSkyB head of new product design and innovation Brian Lenz said: ?Part of the reason why we?re able to think about introducing such services is thanks to the investments we?ve made in backing our belief in HD, an infrastructure that provides a real framework for future innovation. Harnessing existing capabilities clearly has the potential to lead to an earlier introduction of initial 3D services, which is good for both consumers and the industry alike.
?By validating the demand for 3D through this approach, you would have to assume that this would [also] serve to highlight the demand for free-to-air, non-HD propositions further down the line.?
Source: Industry split over 3DTV standardisation | News | Broadcast (http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/technology/industry-split-over-3dtv-standardisation/5002136.article)