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Technology
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2006-09-20 08:58:01-04
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3D Television just 3 years away
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London Sept 20: Avid fans of television and even casual viewers are in for some good news as a European research consortium has reported that 3D television could be in homes within the next three years. The television being developed is capable of displaying true 3D images, without the need for headache-inducing glasses. The technology may represent a quantum leap forward in how people view TV, as it may help them truly feel part of the action. The consortium, funded by the European Commission, consists of about 200 researchers in seven countries, and is halfway through its four-year duration. Prof Levent Onural, co-ordinator of the multinational 3DTV network says that the research consortium is looking into all aspects of 3D technology, such as capturing 3D motion scenes, computerised representation, transmission and display. "Lower-end technologies, such as stereoscopic 3D (a method of displaying an image that gives the impression of depth) will be commonplace in homes and cinemas in about three years," BBC quoted him as saying. He says that though 3D technology had been present for many years, but the recent advances would mean the motion sickness that has made 3D films an unpleasant viewing experience in the past could be reduced.
In terms of technical results the team has finished many of its intermediate tasks like they have developed and tested 3D stereoscopic displays where the viewer can look at 3D images without special glasses. "With stereoscopic cinema, we think that there will be huge interest from the movie-goers, and we think it will be available in regular movie houses in three years. We think that some people might want to purchase 3D television sets for home viewing," he added. However he mentioned that, high-end performance and technologies based on holographic techniques probably need another ten years of intensive and extensive research "We do think holographic 3D TV is feasible, but the technology is not in place yet. If you ask my opinion, it will take another 10 years to get there, but some say it will take 14 to 20 years," he said. However, he said that it would offer the "ultimate viewing experience". "For example, take a football game. Viewers would be able to look at a TV that will be like a coffee table and see small-scale real football players made up from light running around on that table." However, he admitted that he did not "yet know how the consumers will behave and what the commercial success of that project will be".
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