Tech Giants Team Up to Create Universal 3-D Glasses

By: EW News Desk Team   Date: 10 August 2011

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10 August 2011

According to a recent report by NPD Group cited by PCWorld, one of the primary reasons why consumers have shown little interest in purchasing 3-D televisions so far has been due to the need to purchase expensive brand-specific glasses that would only work on a particular set or model.

In order to address this issue, major television 3-D TV manufacturers including Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are working together to create a new standard for universal 3-D glasses that will be compatible for 3-D images on multiple television sets, computers and movie screens.

The move is seen to be necessary in order to speed up the rate of adoption for 3-D technology. In a survey conducted by the Nielsen Company in December last year, 59 percent of North American respondents said that they were "definitely not interested" in buying a 3-D set. Furthermore, a forecast done by market analysis firm SNL stated that just 2 percent of U.S. households would have 3-D television sets by the end of 2011.

In March this year, Panasonic began the first steps towards developing a universal set of 3-D glasses. Having agreed to a joint licensing of IR System protocols with 3-D glasses manufacturer XPAND, Panasonic has since roped in Samsung and Sony for the “Full HD 3-D Glasses Iniative” that will be launched in 2012.

“The companies intend to work together on the development and licensing of radio frequency (RF) system 3-D active glasses technology,” according to a press release quoted by Wired.

The glasses that will be developed are also expected to be backwards compatible with the companies’ existing line of 3-D televisions.

In a joint press statement, representatives from all four companies expressed their hope that the collaboration would lead to better market acceptance and adoption for 3-D TV sets.

“This Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative will help further drive consumer adoption and understanding of active 3D—the technology that provides the clearest and most immersive 3D experience available,” said Jurack Chae, vice president, R&D Team, Visual Display Business, at Samsung Electronics.

“We hope the expanded collaboration on this 3D standardization initiative will make a significant contribution toward accelerating the growth of 3D-related products,” added Panasonic’s general manager of Media & Content Alliance Office, Corporate R&D Division, Masayuki Kozuka.

More importantly, the move will enable the companies to demonstrate that they are able to address “critical industry issues to enable a better consumer experience across products,” said Jun Yonemitsu, deputy senior general manager, Home Entertainment Development Div., Sony Corporation.


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