As Easy As 3D Pie

Watching 3D needs to be as easy as pie. We should be able to turn on the TV and watch a show in either 2D or 3D without needing a college degree. If the show is being broadcast in 3D then the TV should be SMART enough to recognize it and automatically switch to 3D mode. It does know if you put in a 3D Blu-ray in a 3D Blu-ray player. Or if you switch to one of the smart apps if you’ve got your TV plugged into the Internet, it will also instantly recognize that it is a 3D signal.

But right now, most 3D broadcast are done as side-by-side 3D. This not only reduces the quality of the image, but forces you to use your remote in a series of button pushes to get to the right 3D mode. If you mess up along the way by choosing the wrong 3D mode then you got a garbage picture. The scene is reminiscent of trying to set the timer on your VCR to record a show while you’re away.

The problem right now is, it’s not so much in your smart TV as in the way 3D is broadcast. But the people at NHK media technology have proposed an advanced stereo 3D broadcast system. This new format can transmit and deliver full high definition video to both 3DTV’s and conventional non-3D sets. Plus it can do this by all while maintaining compatibility with existing broadcast standards.

“This format provides high-definition when viewed on a conventional TV set. When viewed on a 3D-capable set, the current side-by-side format of sending two images has the problem of reduced image quality. Our new format independently transmits both left and right images in full high-definition to eliminate that problem and provides viewers with a gorgeous image.”

Korean broadcasters are also investigating a similar format. The Korean format will likely be similar to NHK’s format. Overseas broadcasters may also use the Advanced Stereo 3D broadcast system, using NHK Media Technology’s encoder. The company expects that this broadcast system will be used all over the world.

Finally, somebody’s thinking. Yes, there will be an additional cost to transmitting this way. But you don’t need to rebuild the entire infrastructure. Just add on a new encoder.

Maybe I should send them my VCR. I bet they could program the timer too!!! Enjoy.

By: Al Caudullo

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