Blu-ray 3D specification finalised
The Blu-ray Disc Association has announced the final specification for Blu-ray 3D, thus setting the standard for the hardware expected next year from a range of consumer electronics companies.
The specification will allow Full HD 1080p resolution to each eye, will work with any compatible 3D display, and mandates that the new discs must be back-compatible with existing Blu-ray players.
That means 3D discs and players will work with LCD screens, plasmas and any other 3D-compatble display technology, regardless of how the manufacturer chooses to deliver 3D to the viewer.
That covers the various 'glasses' methods already shown, as well as the 'no glasses' displays already shown by some manufacturers in prototype form.
The BDA describes the specification as 'display agnostic', and says it's also designed to allow PlayStation 3 games consoles to play back 3D content in 3D – to date, Sony has only talked about 3D gaming on the PS3.
2D playback compatibility
In addition, it supports playback of 2D discs in forthcoming 3D players and can also enable 2D playback of Blu-ray 3D discs on the huge number of Blu-ray Disc players already in use around the world.
The Blu-ray 3D specification will encode 3D video using the Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec, an extension to the ITU-T H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) codec currently supported by all Blu-ray Disc players.
This compresses both left and right eye views with a typical 50% overhead compared to equivalent 2D content, and can provide full 1080p resolution backward compatibility with current 2D Blu-ray Disc players.
It also makes possible enhanced graphic features for 3D, enabling navigation using 3D graphic menus and displaying 3D subtitles positioned in 3D video.
Victor Matsuda, chairman of the BDA's Global Promotions Committee, says that "We think the broad and rapid acceptance Blu-ray Disc already enjoys with consumers will be a factor in accelerating the uptake of 3D in the home.
"In the meantime, existing players and libraries can continue to be fully enjoyed as consumers consider extending into 3D home entertainment."
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Comments
I saw Pixar's new film UP in 3D in the cinema and was stunned by the quality and clarity of the whole movie experience. If the manufacturers can can produce the hardware that gives the same viewing experienc in the home for a reasonable price then i am definately saving up for the goods. Especially if as the BDA making everything backwards compatible , can't for COD Modern warfare 2 in 3D on 50" tv.........Fantastic
It seems to me that many of the comments here are from Luddites and with blinkered vision like that we'd still be in the Stone, Bronze or Iron Age. Indeed it's because the majority think that way that new innovations like V2000, Laservison, quadraphonic sound and more recently DVD-Audio/SACD were relative failures as they never became mass-market. The companies have to make a profit to pay for developing these things after all. If they didn't then technology would stand still like music on the radio stations that only play top 50 - how would people hear new stuff if nobody played it. Instead innovations take longer than they should and multiple attempts to come about.
I think manufacturers and film makers need to slow down just a little. I do believe in the long run 3D could be very successful, but not until holographic technology is good enough to warrant not having to wear the uncomfortable glasses... Not to mention that these glasses will come at a cost as well as the compatible displays. What will it be called when the next gen 3D displays come out that don't require you to wear the glasses, 'True 3D'? I for one will wait till then before adopting anything 3D, unless of course it is rammed down the consumer�s neck before then.
Regarding 'bamindy's comments re football in 3D - I think that it could be one of the main benificiaries- how often do you watch 2D football and think 'thats a good shot' ony to discover that it has hit the corner flag! - with the 3D perspective I would expect that the ball position would be much more 'realistic'(!?).
3D is awesome!
Hi,
Who actually wants this? I think the article in December's issue really spells it out - "why they
really[/i] want you to buy into 3D" - m-o-n-e-y. Take more from the consumer - put a premium price on products, charge more for a seat at your local multiplex....since 1952 they have tried to sell this but we've not bitten. Tell the people often enough and they will start believing you? I don't want 3D forced upon me - if people want to choose a 3D version then I have no beef with that. Will it work for those sitting 'off-axis'? Will it be 21:9? Will TV companies who produce TV programmes adopt it? Is it only film makers who are pushing it? 3D Coronation Street anyone?
Cheers, Cofnchtr.
I think 3D TV could be a huge success, but I too also believe that it will be eventually forced down the consumer's throat. My customers are still confused about the switchover, and they're still not convinced about HD so I don't know what state they're going to put me in come the roll out of 3D.
I think 3D should be an 'ingredient' for optimal viewing, and backwards compatibility is the key. HDTV is still the way forward with Freeview HD rolling out next year, all be it a little late!
I disagree, 3D could be a huge success - backwards compatibility is the key, and making the PS3 compatible is a masterstroke. 3D will become just part of a TVs spec, like 'HD ready' was a few years ago. No one has to rush out and but a new telly, but for those who are, they can opt to buy a 3D one and view content in 3D as and when they choose to. Honestly, if the tech companies thought in the same way as some of the naysayers on these forums, we'd still be watching TV in black and white! Give it a chance guys.
I can't see it taking off while you still have to wear glasses to get the effect.
So what does it mean...? that I should now get a PS3 instead of, say an S550 (thrown as an example)?
Even if the PQ on the PS3 is a tad less than standalone players, I don't want to spend now a few hundred pounds and then in a year's time plop down a few hundred more because the player is suddenly outdated.
Does anyone really, REALLY care about 3D??? Surely this isn't going to be as successful as most of the manufacturers, and probably the movie industry hope - or is it going to be forced down our throats?
HD was an essential transition (big screens, pixelation), 3D isn't. It required a lot of convincing and spending on the consumer side. Look how long it took for HD to take off - in reality, it still is; many people have large screen TVs, but not necessarily HD sources. And there's still a debate in many circles about how much better it really is, once you get used to it, it's not as impressive.
What's really funny is that the World Cup will be filmed and broadcast in 3D. Now, maybe I'm not getting 3D the way it's intended, but I see it working best when something looks like it's coming at you, or floating around in front of you. What are you going to see in 3D in a left to right pan across the pitch???? Maybe the replays from the goal camera will show the ball zooming toward you?? I don't think so.
Ironically, it seems the industry is blinkered with 3D...