CES 2009: 3D In High Definition Is On Its Way

3D in HD is a reality in the R&D labs of most of the major AV companies and a number of those companies are touting release dates early 2010. Although that is the overall goal, there is a problem. Everyone has their own standard and at least one company is demonstrating two 3D standards. It seems that there is only one agreement amongst them, and that is a Blu-ray disc player will be central to the technology, but not necessarily compatible with the Blu-ray players that are available now.

The members that have been here for sometime will realize that creating a standard, especially when there are multiple competing commercial interests, is a long and arduous process. Not only do they have to get all the manufacturers to agree on one standard, but presumably the content providers as well.

Some of the flat panel displays were dedicated 3D displays only and could not display a 2D 1080p picture, that we currently enjoy. The panels will need to be able to display 1080p in 2D for them to become a viable option. The content could slow the release of 3D down, as there are not that many titles that have been filmed in 3D. A number of movies are starting to be made in 3D and many expect the film industry to start creating many more films in 3D. Once again the lack of standards may slow the production of 3D films down.

Alas, any photos would be pointless the panels when switched off just look like the thicker flat panels we have now. When operating without the special glasses most just look blurred.

3D HD is on its way, and when it does arrive it will be spectacular; however there is still plenty of work for the R&D and standards committees to work on.