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CEA kicks off process to standardize active 3D glasses

Donald Melanson — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:28:00 EST

This one's still in the earliest stages, but it looks like the Consumer Electronics Association (a.k.a. the CEA) is doing its part to add a bit of order to the wild world of active 3D glasses. To that end, it's just put out a request for proposals on a standard IR sync interface for active 3D glasses, and it's encouraging companies that wish to participate to join the 3D Technologies Working Group -- they'll have to work fairly fast, though, as proposals are due in by March 31st. The ultimate goal, of course, is to ensure that 3D glasses sold by one manufacturer are compatible with 3D TVs made by another manufacturer, although there's no word on any companies that have actually signed on to the plan just yet.

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CEA kicks off process to standardize active 3D glasses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HDMI 1.4 spec getting freshened up in preparation for broadcast 3D

Richard Lawler — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:19:00 EST

The drumbeat for HD 3D continues to pick up the pace, and with broadcasters around the globe pushing forward 2010 plans to bring 3D home HDMI has updated the course of its latest 1.4 spec to ensure compatibility between displays and boxes. Quite simply, existing cable and satellite hardware isn't going to be held to the same requirements as Blu-ray and videogame equipment rocking the 3D sticker and expecting compatibility with displays on the way, since they won't be passing the same high quality, high bandwidth dual-stream 1080p images anyway. Additionally, some broadcasters are pushing for HDMI to officially support "Top/Bottom" 3D transmissions they plan to use, which sacrifice resolution while saving bandwidth by shoving left/right images into a single frame. While that should add an entirely new angle to the line counting and claims of "HDLite" (get ready for 3DLite) all viewers can do is wait to hear when or if their hardware will get a software upgrade to 3D (like the one we expect will allow the PS3 to play 3D Blu-ray discs) in the months and years to come, once there's a standard everyone can adhere to of course.

HDMI 1.4 spec getting freshened up in preparation for broadcast 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blu-ray 3D specifications finalized, your PS3 is ready

Richard Lawler — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:59:00 EST

In case plans by AMD and a slew of other tech vendors planning to showcase 3D Blu-ray compatible products at CES wasn't a tip-off, the updated specifications are done. The key details? First, that the Blu-ray Disc Association has chosen the Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec to store 3D, so that even though it is now providing a full 1080p frame for each eye, it will only require about 50% more storage space compared to the 2D version, and all discs will be fully backwards compatible, in 2D, on existing players. Better than backwards compatibility, the PlayStation 3 will be forwards compatible with the new discs -- a new HDTV setup (the spec promises to work with plasmas, LCDs or projectors equally well) with IR emitters and glasses will still be necessary. According to the PR (after the break) we can expect Blu-ray 3D-stickered products in 2010, our only advice is to keep those responsible for the Cowboys Stadium abomination far, far away from it.

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Blu-ray 3D specifications finalized, your PS3 is ready originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD readying a demo of the Blu-ray 3D standard, might not wait for it to exist first

Richard Lawler — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:27:00 EST

AMD and CyberLink, which recently integrated SENSIO 3D technology into its PowerDVD player, are already touting a 2010 CES demo promising to show off their implementation of "the forthcoming Blu-ray stereoscopic 3D standard." While the world continues to wait for an announcement on what the 3D Blu-ray standard will actually entail (backwards compatible 2D combo discs, and Full HD stereoscopic technology are definitely on the list) AMD is ready to leverage its position as a contributing member of the Blu-ray Disc Association and make sure that when discs hit the market -- likely around the time Avatar is released at home -- it has compatible software and hardware available. We've prepped and ready for the glasses-required trials that promise to be featured at many booths during next months Las Vegas experience, so a note to potential exhibitors: sports and videogames are the best bet for an impressive 3D showing, bring Space Harrier 3D for extra bonus points.

AMD readying a demo of the Blu-ray 3D standard, might not wait for it to exist first originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blu-ray Disc Association (still) working on a 3D standard, promises 1080p & backwards compatible discs

Richard Lawler — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:52:00 EST

Just in case there was any doubt since the task force was announced in May, the Blu-ray Disc Association is still hard at work on a standard to bring home 3D movies the way they were meant to be seen. Ahead of IFA, the group squeezed off an announcement, mentioning its decision of minimum specs including requiring 1080p resolution to each eye and backwards compatibility for discs and players, so any 3D flick will have to include a 2D version for older Blu-ray players. Of course, we're sure Panasonic has something to do with this push, it's already planning to tour the country with 3D capable Blu-ray players in tow, so it shouldn't be too much longer until final decisions are made.

Filed under: Blu-ray

Blu-ray Disc Association (still) working on a 3D standard, promises 1080p & backwards compatible discs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blu-ray Disc Association working to create a standard for home 3D

Richard Lawler — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:58:00 EST

Count the Blu-ray Disc Association as the latest to jump on the 3D standards bandwagon, announcing the formation of a task force to create a universal 3D home entertainment spec. It's already been said that Blu-ray will be a great delivery mechanism for 3D, but without a standard, even incredible productions like Coraline come home in anaglyph 3D instead of the stereoscopic 3D format that more HDTV sets are beginning to support. We won't even begin to wonder who they will back, there's not even a timetable for meetings yet but hopefully all this gets worked out sooner rather than later so we can enjoy our Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience at home, the same way we did in the theater (3 times, it was fantastic.)

Filed under: Blu-ray

Blu-ray Disc Association working to create a standard for home 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CableLabs investigating possible 3D delivery standards

Richard Lawler — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:44:00 EST

Count one more standards body trying to figure out how to bring the 3D experience home properly, now that CableLabs has begun investigating the best delivery system. the CableLabs VP of consumer video technology is the chair of the SCTE working group on 3D and claims there's as many as 30 different methods of multiplexing the video stream, so it could be a slow march towards a standard, including such problems as where the decoding happens, on a set-top box or in the display itself, but we should be able to expect experiments like the recent live BskyB trial here in the future, but your guess is as good as ours to precisely when.

Filed under: Industry, Cable

CableLabs investigating possible 3D delivery standards originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SCTE considering a 3D over cable standard

Richard Lawler — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:52:00 EST

In another small step along the road to proper 3D at home, the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers announced its standards program is looking into 3D content delivery over cable networks. Apparently planning to "consider" work already under way by SMPTE, CEA and others, the SCTE's 3D over Cable project is mostly committed to figuring out how existing standards might need to change to support 3D. There's no way to know if this will even lead to an additional standard, but you can believe the cable giants want their say in how 3D at home develops and whether they're ready to jump on the bandwagon.

Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Cable

SCTE considering a 3D over cable standard originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sensio 3D tagged official, optional 3D standard by DVD Forum

Richard Lawler — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:22:00 EST

Sensio is no new arrival to this 3D thing, claiming 10 years of investment, but count us among those surprised to find out its 3D technology has been deemed an optional DVD standard by the DVD Forum in a letter vote. Currently the only 3D standard for the home market that's quite a feat especially if you're expecting this 3D phenomenon to stick, but as HD DVD found out, the blessing of the DVD Forum may not be enough without hardware and software support to back it up. This is the same tech that powered the BCS Championship Game and the upcoming NBA All Star Weekend productions, and there's already a whole list of Sensio 3D movies available on their website if you've got compatible equipment, which includes many DVD players and projectors already available. Seems like Sensio 3D Compatible will be joining feature checklists next to DTS and the rest, now, to find out how the competition will respond.

Filed under: Industry, Other hardware, Others

Sensio 3D tagged official, optional 3D standard by DVD Forum originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dolby throws its hat into the home 3D arena

Richard Lawler — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST

Not satisfied with battling RealD for theater 3D dominance, Dolby Labs is pushing forward its 3D solution for home viewers. Timely, since this will should be the year SMPTE picks a direction and everyone gets behind it (or not,) and Dolby apparently already made its case back in September. We'll be able to judge their offering vs. Panasonic, TDVision and all others this week and hopefully come away knowing if 3D really is ready to be the next big thing or just a useless gimmick.

Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Other hardware

Dolby throws its hat into the home 3D arena originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic puts forth proposal for 3D standard on Blu-ray Disc

Darren Murph — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST

For those of you plugging your ears whilst humming along in hopes of this whole 3D revolution fading away, we've got a rude awakening headed your way. Just days after hearing that the HDMI specification could be updated to better handle stereoscopic 3D content, along comes word that Panasonic has submitted a proposal to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) for an official BD standard to store 3D imagery formed of "left / right-eye two-channel Full HD images." Panny reportedly made the move early in order avoid a format war, but really, it's just looking to cash in on royalties for the next ~~decade~~ five years or less. It's no secret that movie studios are dead set on moving forward with 3D production -- might as well be ready on the other end, right?

[Image courtesy of 3DS]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Panasonic puts forth proposal for 3D standard on Blu-ray Disc originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic puts forth proposal for 3D standard on Blu-ray Disc

Darren Murph — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Other formats

Panasonic puts forth proposal for 3D standard on Blu-ray Disc originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SMPTE working out how to bring 3D home

Richard Lawler — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:35:00 EST

One of the many reasons our killer Captain EO home theater setup hasn't become a reality yet is because even with more than a few kinds of 3D HDTV equipment on shelves, there's no standard that guarantees that next Hannah Montana Blu-ray disc will be able to take advantage of it. The SMPTE hopes to change all of that, establishing a task force (has anyone asked the 3D@Home Consortium how they feel about it?) with the mandate of creating a standard for 3D "content distributed via broadcast, cable, satellite, packaged media and the Internet and played-out on televisions, computer screens and other tethered displays". The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers are the fine people behind nearly every way you currently experience AV at home, so after the inaugural meeting August 19 and six months to create a report (EE Times notes actually setting a standard could take 18-30 months, so don't move the furniture yet), really all that's left is to explain our Michael Jackson infatuation.

[Via EE Times]

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Displays, Cable, Internet, OTA, Satellite

SMPTE working out how to bring 3D home originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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