Shanghai Offers 3D TV Programming

Shanghai citizens are lucky to be the first Chinese people to watch 3D TV programs. The 1st of May is the day, when Shanghai TV company “Wenguan” is opening the first digital channel, which will open to the spectators the higher reality of sensation.

As the company workers said the new channel’s principal topics are documentary films about nature and animal world, entertaining news, like celebrity life, and sport events.

All these programs are developed using special technique, and for obtaining stereo effect the subscribers will need to use special glasses.

Editor’s Note:
Glasses needed…but let’s face it.  We won’t have 3D televisions in houses until we have quality 3D TV programming.  Let’s see how quick it develops in China now that they have their own 3D TV channel.

I’m pretty upset.  What is it with Hollywood and the cannibalization of their own business?  They put Coraline 3D in the 3D theaters across the country and pull it from the screen because of what…Jonas Brothers?  I realize were talking about the 700lb gorilla in the room from Disney and all, but why cannibalize the 3D space?  Let Coraline get its payday here before you take the screen.

Alright, with my rant out of the way, let me say this.  The cannibalization is somewhat of a good thing for the 3D fan because it provides an increased supply of 3D content with a scarce amount of 3D capable theaters.  Hopefully, this will get the moviegoers to demand additional 3D programming which will turn into more 3D capable screens.

BTW – Jonas Bros could have been much much better…more to come

Ok, before I show the article, let me get my rant out of the way.  First, 3D TVs are not going to save the struggling TV market.  The manufacturers are only complaining about TV sales because of the economy.  Second, Digital TV hasn’t even taken hold yet.  Until everyone switches to a digital TV, the jump to 3D is just not going to be pervasive.  Sure early adopters will check it out, and then the tipping point will occur.  But seriously, there’s no way the tipping point will happen for 3D TVs that require goggles.  So which industries will drive 3D TV sales – the usual ones, Porn and Gaming.  The major players will begin introducing 3D video….however just wait a second.  The real barrier to 3D is not the technology of the TV set like everyone believes.  Shaking the 3D glasses will not be hard and in fact many manufacturers are not even considering a ‘glasses’ solution.  The real challenge is in the content.  It’s extremely expensive to convert an old film into a 3D film.  Therefore, the video long tail won’t be there.  Can you imagine a world where the best films are buried because they’re not in 3D…it’s crazy.  So, 3D cameras will have to infiltrate the studio market, which means affordable technology.  And consumer 3D?  Who are you kidding?  3D is already going to make people dizzy and get headaches.  Can you imagine video shot by an amateur in 3D?  Makes me nauseous just thinking about it….anyways, here’s an excerpt from the article.  This is one of the better articles so far, but more or less the same content we’ve already seen.

”

Three-dimensional TV is coming to a living room near you. But will the technology spur a consumer spending spree like digital and high-definition TV did before it? Or will 3D end up being the next big flop?

One thing is clear, TV manufacturers need something new to get people buying TVs. Over the last couple of years, TV manufacturers have experienced a sales boom as consumers upgrade to digital TVs in anticipation of the government’s mandated switch to digital TV broadcasts in February 2009. Eager shoppers have also been upgrading to high-definition TVs as movie studios, cable and satellite operators, and TV broadcasters have begun offering more programming in HD.

But as the economy worsens, the forecast for the TV market is looking grim. The LCD TV market is only expected to grow about 17 percent in terms of units shipped in 2009, according to research firm DisplaySearch. This is down from growth of about 29 percent in 2008. Plasma TV growth is also expected to suffer with the market only expected to grow by about 5 percent in 2009 compared with a 24 percent rise in 2008, DisplaySearch said.

As a result, TV makers are looking for the next hot thing to attract new consumers. And some are hoping 3D TVs could be it.”

See the rest at CNET

Found a great article today about a 3-D TV survey.  People are definitely ready for 3D in the home!

Some of the key findings in the study include the following:

• 3-D product awareness: 75 percent of respondents have had a 3-D experience and 73 percent said that they would recommend 3-D to friends or family.

• 3-D interest/purchasing: Close to half of those surveyed are interested in watching 3-D at home, with younger respondents, as well as those who had seen a 3-D movie recently, even more interested than the overall sample.

• 3-D timing: More than one-third of those surveyed expect 3-D TV within one to two years. Almost half cited that they have a high preference to receive 3-D content via their cable/satellite provider while Blu-ray Disc was their most preferred method.

• 3-D opinions: 3-D is not a gimmick or fad for most surveyed. Both positive and negative opinions are provided; respondents describe 3-D as an image or experience with depth, which is realistic and lifelike. It is an immersive and improved way to experience a movie or game.

• 3-D glasses: While glasses are a distraction, it was not enough to hinder consumers’ interest in a purchase. Several sub groups will pay more for a 3-D TV without glasses, but even a 3-D experience with glasses is something consumers are interested in for the home.

• 3-D movies and games: More than half of respondents agreed that 3-D makes movies and games more enjoyable, with gamers finding the 3-D experience slightly more enjoyable than the overall sample.

Check out the whole article at:
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6616042.html