Published:
22-Jan-10
This month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has been dominated by 3D. Whilst 3D Blu-ray Disc (BD) specifications were finalised only late 2009, a number of major consumer electronics manufacturers—including Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba—have unveiled 3D capable BD players expected to launch in summer 2010 to coincide with wider distribution and launch of 3D-ready TVs. Despite a leading position in the 3D display arena, neither of the two Sharp BD players unveiled feature 3D BD playback.
Separately during CES Sony Pictures confirmed the 3D BD release of its recent theatrical 3D title Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs later in 2010. Disney confirmed that it will be releasing 3D BDs of A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story 3 this year.
Our take...
The 3D BD models unveiled at CES were production models rather than prototypes, aptly demonstrating the speed with which the CE industry is moving to bring 3D into the home. All feature Wi-Fi and streaming media options, now a persistent feature of BD players, as manufacturers seek to broaden functionality beyond packaged media. Some, though not all, of these 3D-compatible devices also have HDMI 1.4 ports to provide full 3D video playback and hi-def quality audio. Screen Digest understands the 3D image can still be achieved through HDMI 1.3 - currently the standard for BD players, PS3s and HDTVs - though this restricts the way in which the 3D images can be constructed on screen.
Some manufacturers have also been able to simulate HDMI 1.4 through their own individual 3D ecosystems. Panasonic's BD player includes dual HDMI 1.3 ports. The use of HDMI 1.3 may lead to compatibility issues between devices from different manufacturers. However, such issues are expected to disappear rapidly as 3D becomes more commonplace, a result of the guidelines laid down in the 3D BD specifications and the introduction of HDMI 1.4 on all future 3D ready TVs.
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