iPont International was at IBC demonstrating version two of its auto-stereo conversion software aimed initially at chains of pubs and sports bars.
The demonstration of a ‘live’ 3D broadcast to glasses-free TV was made in-conjunction with satellite operator SES Astra. The Hungarian developer claims to have a unique system for converging a stereo image feed to auto stereo in realtime at high quality. There is, however, at least one other company claiming a similar breakthrough: Triaxes (for details: http://www.tvbeurope.com/newsletter-3dmasters-content/full/autostereo-software-maker-claims-breakthrough) Both Triaxes and iPont are working with a similar set of autostereo display manufacturers including Alioscopy with whom they hope to partner to sell packages to hotel chains, sports bars and pub chains.
“We have finalised version 2 of the software and IBC represents the first showing of this,” says iPont marketing director, Tamas Motajcsek. “We think the first step is to enter into the sport bar and restaurant market and other places for public viewing. We want to educate the market, but at the same time the technology is relatively high cost to consumers. Over time, maybe another year, that will reduce and we will then be able to market to the home.” Earlier this year the company participated in a number of ‘live’ trials of its technology including the Champions League final, Wimbledon men’s final and the Haye Vs Klitschko fight. “We learned much from those experiences, about both the technology and 3D broadcast content, and believe our latest product generation will be a watershed moment for glasses-free 3DTVs,” says Motajcsek. For the IBC demonstration iPont installed a wide-angle 42″ autostereoscopic LCD screen with its proprietary 3D TV box, a device that streams real-time 3D broadcast content from a satellite receiver to the display, performing a real-time stereo to auto-stereo conversion. Content from the SES ASTRA 3D demo channel was played through the receiver. “The quality of glasses-free 3DTV technologies have been hampered by viewing angles, depth, resolution and real-time imagery issues with few yet to deliver that premium-viewing experience,” said Thomas Wrede, VP Reception Systems SES ASTRA. “iPont’s maturing technology is an intriguing development and its progress has been impressive making us confident that glasses-free 3DTV for the home is going with us in the not too distant future.” “Major TV operators know that for 3D to truly go mainstream glasses-free 3DTV needs to happen sooner rather than later,” Vahl added. “Once that conundrum is solved then it will make it easier for pay-TV operators to sell 3D TV to the consumer and to programme makers, which we expect to drive the next wave of top-tier HD programming.”
www.ipont3d.com
