3D TV Service Could Debut This Year

10.03.2009
Consider this your warning: Ryan Seacrest could be jumping out of your television sooner than you think. Three-dimensional television service, typically discussed as a "sometime in the future" type of technology, is now being targeted for a 2009 rollout in the United Kingdom. A British communications provider says it's already testing a 3D TV delivery system and could be ready to offer the protocol to the public within a matter of months. Could the U.S. be far behind?

3D TV Goal

The provider, Sky, made the revelation at an by the in London. "Our aim is to refine 3D techniques and TV production and build a content library over the coming year," Sky Chief Engineer Chris Johns .

Sky started testing its 3D TV technology and has broadcast several sporting events using the technology. The events were shot on two side-by-side cameras, and then merged together to create the three-dimensional effect. Viewers still needed special polarized glasses to see the action in 3D.

Device Delay

The real problem now lies in the devices: Even if the service is available, regular TVs won't be able to show the three-dimensional images. While 3D displays were a hot commodity at this year's in January--Panasonic showed off a capable of showing customized 3D Blu-ray movies, and LG talked about a 3D chip set in the future--moving from the convention floor to the living room is anything but an overnight process.