There’s been a lot of talk in tech circles in the past few years about the advent of new technology that will allow proper 3D TV in the home – that is, without the need for the red/green glasses that knock out all colour. In fact screens capable of producing polarised 3D images are already available in Japan (you still need glasses to get the 3D image, but of the polarised type used in cinemas, which give a more natural image), but there’s virtually no content for them.
However that might be about to change as CNET Australia is reporting thet Yoshinami Takahashi, the deputy senior general manager, Home Entertainment Group, Sony Corporation gave them a briefing and said that studios and tech companies are close to raching on an agreement for the format for 3D Blu-ray, which he believes will be finalised by the end of 2009.
The bad news is that this won’t be something you can just bolt onto your current Blu-ray player and screen and that not only will you need a new 3D capable TV, but you’ll also need a new Blu-ray player capable of handling these special 3D discs. Takahashi believes the first 3D Blu-ray players could be available as early as the end of next year.
Although it’s interesting technology, it’s difficult to see how they’re expecting this to make a dent in the home entertainment market as Takahashi conceded that shorter-length content was more suited to the technology, as many people experience headaches and nausea when watching home 3D content for extended periods. It’s difficult to imagine many people running out and spending thousands on screens and players if they’re only going to be able to watch 3D content in very short bursts. That won’t stop the industry pushing ahead of course, although it seems slightly pointless at this stage.