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.

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

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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

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

After the convergence of internet and TV, you’ll see vast improvements in the overall compression of video data through the internet.  This will enable HD quality video to your computer (or TV soon enough).  Then, you’ll see the movie industry start to get crushed just like the music business by P2P as people will be able to download a 4GB compressed HD movie torrent delivered to your home in less than 10 minutes.  This forces the movie industry to provide value again.  They will start with 3D movies and with the advances in DVDs (Blu-ray, HD-DVD), these 3D transmissions will become commonplace.  Of course, there is a dependency on the tipping point of 3D televisions into the home (which of course depends on there being enough 3D content).  Since 3D content is currently more expensive to produce, replicate, and transmit, we’ll see a big CHICKEN AND THE EGG problem with 3D.

In the mean time, studios will keep rolling out 3D movies and IMAX is already proving that short run/pay a premium movie like Happy Feet 3D will make just as much cash as the regular movie.  Someone will release a 3D movie on DVD (as soon as there are enough 3D TVs).  Unfortunately, in the 3D industry for the home, it will be quite expensive.  It will take someone like Samsung, TI, or Sony to make that first move and set the standard.  The second-mover market will be massive and then the Satellite/Cable companies will have to adjust as well.  Unfortunately, they will be dealing with the entertainment industry’s growing reliance on internet television and the increased competition will force them into providing the bandwidth for these transmissions (or they’ll have to become an even stronger clearinghouse for television entertainment).

The adult entertainment industry historically forges the way regarding internet technology.  They have single-handedly driven the online video evolution and YouTube was the tipping point where people began to really watch Internet television.  In fact, YouTube didn’t even provide high-quality content, but rather focused on the longtail of user produced videos (see “cottage industry”).

Back to the point…I want a 3D TV.  Yes, I did call out the proliferation of 3D into the homes quite some time ago and yes, I did say that 3D would save Hollywood.  Of course, I wasn’t the only one.  The movement of 3D into the home is much like the auto industry and their calling to produce clean energy vehicles.  Hollywood and the auto industry both have to deal with the impending dangers of scarce resources and massive technology shifts.  A good comparision is comparing these similar issues:

Oil companies:  in order to shift to clean energy, they will have to retrofit gas stations across the country with new energy receptacles (gas pumps)

Hollywood: in order to shift to 3D (and save their revenue), they will have to retrofit all of their movie theatres with 3D capability.

Back to my point again – I want 3D TV and unfortunately it’s going to be awhile.  My current prediction is that I will get my first 3D TV in 2013.  That’s too long to wait!!!