The cinema has just three to five years of claiming 3D as a unique theatrical experience, claimed David Monk, chair of the European Digital Cinema Forum at a recent seminar organised by projection specialist Barco. After that, he indicated 3D television will be a practical option, reports Dick Hobbs.
Already Nippon Satellite in Japan is offering 3D television transmissions each day. Rear projection television receivers based on the Texas Instruments DLP chip are, at least theoretically, ready now for 3D display, using active glasses. And IBC in September saw a technology demonstration that sent a high definition 3D channel in the same bandwidth as a conventional digital HD channel.
The cinema industry currently sees 3D as its killer app to roll out digital projection as well as win audiences. The 3D version of Disney family movie Meet the Robinsons delivered 28% of the box office on its opening weekend, despite being shown on only 13% of screens.
