Panasonic Moves Forward with 3D Blu-ray Plans

Panasonic has recently opened new 3D labs at the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory in California in order to establish and develop their version of 3D Blu-ray, which they are calling "3D Full HD" (3D FHD). There, they will work directly with Hollywood studios to develop 3D Blu-ray titles, as well as develop consumer products to support those titles.

The company plans to develop a 3D Plasma display, a 3D-ready digital cinema projector, and a 3D-ready MPEG-4 decoder for consumer applications. For evaluation purposes, they will install a 380-inch screen at their facility, which is assumed to replace the existing screen in their evaluation room (which is a really nice set-up).

Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, Managing Director of Panasonic Hollywood Laborator, commented, "Panasonic recognizes that for 3D FHD to succeed, just like Blu-ray, collaboration on research, development and production with studios and content providers is absolutely essential. The creation of the new PHL Authoring Center will enable Hollywood to start trial production and ultimately create commercially available 3D FHD titles to realize a new window into reality, and elevate the level of High Definition entertainment that consumers can enjoy in their own homes."