source: Panasonic 3D TV
Hence should we actually all be ditching our old ( or in fact actually pretty new ) sets in favour of a new 3D TV? If we do, what will we watch? And do we need special specs to do so? Fear not we have got the answers.
How does 3D television work?
"It displays 2 photographs on the screen at once, with the pictures moving further apart or closer together to make photographs appear that they have depth," asserts Christian Brown, senior category manager at Sony. The way the image is delivered depends upon the 3D system being used how many cameras split the image during filming and where in the process they are reunited. "But they eventually work on the same premise that the two photographs together trick your grey matter into believing the image is 3 dimensional."
What wizardry is this?
It's not really as thrilling as you'd think. If something is filmed in 3D, like U2's recent 3D concert, it's done on 2 cameras that sit side by side. If you are watching something that's essentially standard footage with 3D effects added on like Clash of the Titans the 3D image will come courtesy of effects-box trickery.
will I need to wear those glasses?
Yes which may possibly make getting your chums over to observe the footie a touch more complex logistical exercise.
can I nick them from theatres?
we can see where you are going with this, but no. Cinema 3D glasses are "passive", meaning all of the complex 3D work is occurring on the screen and your glasses just filter the light. Most new 3D televisions ( though not all ) use "active" glasses, meaning there's wiring and a battery in each set, doing part of the work in creating the 3D picture. Some 3D TVs come with up to 2 pairs included, and further pairs usually cost ?120. The battery lasts around 100 hours.
can I watch normal television?
"All 3D TVs are glorious for watching standard 2D TV as well," asserts Carl Pring, head of brand and advertising at Sony.
Will there be a 3D Freeview?
There are no immediate plans. Danielle Nagler, the BBC's head of HD and 3D, asserts that while the concern is playing with sports and Doctor Who theatre trailers : "there is still lots of work to do in explaining 3D to consumers and getting them to take a position in it."
Will programmes made in 3D be the same as 2D programmes?
Not especially. Duncan Humphreys, discoveries director at 3D expert production company Can Communicate, says "you want to learn a totally new set of rules if you're filming in 3D". Because 3D needs less cameras, is edited with fewer fast cuts and films from different angles, it will feel different from standard 2DTV. Making programs in 3D will also bump up programme budgets some filming costs will double. Sports and music material is around. Other genres might take a bit of time to catch up. "I don't expect too many wildlife documentaries to go 3D until costs come down a little more," explains Humphreys.
Should I upgrade now, or can I wait till the price comes down?
That is the question that everyone seems to be asking. 10,000,000 televisions are retailed in the United Kingdom every year and at the moment only 3% of those are 3D sets. According to John Kempner, vision purchaser for the John Lewis Partnership, however : "you have got to think that your set is going to be with you for five to 7 years," and he is going on to say that he predicts the quantity of content available in 3D to grow gradually over that period.
Is 3D really merely a gimmick?
According to the BBC's Nagler : "We are excited about the developments of 3D but we want to see the long-term advantages to broadcasters before we commit. The trials we are doing are kind of like early colour," she continues. "fascinating, but there's a great distance to go." Carl Pring nevertheless , illuminates the potential revolutionary nature of the technology : "Did we ask for colour TV or the internet?" he says. "Did we ask for text messaging or online pizza ordering? They all seem to have added something to our lives. There's no substitute for experiencing the real thing, of course, and everyone who has seen one of our demos at their local television store has experienced the power of 3D and I'd suggest folk try it for themselves. ".
Hence should we actually all be ditching our old ( or in fact actually pretty new ) sets in favour of a new 3D TV? If we do, what will we watch? And do we need special specs to do so? Fear not we have got the answers.
How does 3D television work?
"It displays 2 photographs on the screen at once, with the pictures moving further apart or closer together to make photographs appear that they have depth," asserts Christian Brown, senior category manager at Sony. The way the image is delivered depends upon the 3D system being used how many cameras split the image during filming and where in the process they are reunited. "But they eventually work on the same premise that the two photographs together trick your grey matter into believing the image is 3 dimensional."
What wizardry is this?
It's not really as thrilling as you'd think. If something is filmed in 3D, like U2's recent 3D concert, it's done on 2 cameras that sit side by side. If you are watching something that's essentially standard footage with 3D effects added on like Clash of the Titans the 3D image will come courtesy of effects-box trickery.
will I need to wear those glasses?
Yes which may possibly make getting your chums over to observe the footie a touch more complex logistical exercise.
can I nick them from theatres?
we can see where you are going with this, but no. Cinema 3D glasses are "passive", meaning all of the complex 3D work is occurring on the screen and your glasses just filter the light. Most new 3D televisions ( though not all ) use "active" glasses, meaning there's wiring and a battery in each set, doing part of the work in creating the 3D picture. Some 3D TVs come with up to 2 pairs included, and further pairs usually cost ?120. The battery lasts around 100 hours.
can I watch normal television?
"All 3D TVs are glorious for watching standard 2D TV as well," asserts Carl Pring, head of brand and advertising at Sony.
Will there be a 3D Freeview?
There are no immediate plans. Danielle Nagler, the BBC's head of HD and 3D, asserts that while the concern is playing with sports and Doctor Who theatre trailers : "there is still lots of work to do in explaining 3D to consumers and getting them to take a position in it."
Will programmes made in 3D be the same as 2D programmes?
Not especially. Duncan Humphreys, discoveries director at 3D expert production company Can Communicate, says "you want to learn a totally new set of rules if you're filming in 3D". Because 3D needs less cameras, is edited with fewer fast cuts and films from different angles, it will feel different from standard 2DTV. Making programs in 3D will also bump up programme budgets some filming costs will double. Sports and music material is around. Other genres might take a bit of time to catch up. "I don't expect too many wildlife documentaries to go 3D until costs come down a little more," explains Humphreys.
Should I upgrade now, or can I wait till the price comes down?
That is the question that everyone seems to be asking. 10,000,000 televisions are retailed in the United Kingdom every year and at the moment only 3% of those are 3D sets. According to John Kempner, vision purchaser for the John Lewis Partnership, however : "you have got to think that your set is going to be with you for five to 7 years," and he is going on to say that he predicts the quantity of content available in 3D to grow gradually over that period.
Is 3D really merely a gimmick?
According to the BBC's Nagler : "We are excited about the developments of 3D but we want to see the long-term advantages to broadcasters before we commit. The trials we are doing are kind of like early colour," she continues. "fascinating, but there's a great distance to go." Carl Pring nevertheless , illuminates the potential revolutionary nature of the technology : "Did we ask for colour TV or the internet?" he says. "Did we ask for text messaging or online pizza ordering? They all seem to have added something to our lives. There's no substitute for experiencing the real thing, of course, and everyone who has seen one of our demos at their local television store has experienced the power of 3D and I'd suggest folk try it for themselves. ".
SHARE
