3D TV is dead says BBC controller

3D TV is dead and 4K Ultra HD TV already matters far more than 3D ever did, according to the controller of production for BBC North.

Mark Harrison, reporting his findings from CES 2013 for Broadcast, stated that Ultra HD TV, along with smart TV, was the star of this year's show – and that together they sounded the death knell for 3D TV.

"Last year, some still insisted you couldn’t operate in the future without a pair of 3D glasses, but now the specs are being reserved for gaming and movies at the cinema," Harrison said.

"3D’s place has been taken by 4K, or Ultra HD. We are years away from being able to make and transmit in 4K, yet it matters far more than 3D ever did: it enables manufacturers to focus on making bigger, better, normal TVs."

While the prevalence of Ultra HD TVs was undeniable, and the relative quiet around 3D TV certainly noticeable, a huge bank of 3D screens at the entry to the LG stand plus Philips' 60in glasses-free 3D TV, amongst other 3D screens, showed there was still manufacturer interest.

The comments raise questions over the BBC's commitment to delivering 3D content. As it stands some 3D content has aired on the BBC HD channel, though the meagre amount of Olympics coverage in 3D left some disappointed. The Sky 3D channel remains the only dedicated 3D channel in the UK.

Content for the next generation of Ultra HD TVs remains a similarly sticky subject however, though the first 4K Ultra HD channel has now gone live and Sony has other ideas for its TVs.

Harrison suggests that this, making 4K Ultra HD content, will be the focus: "That means that while budgets get tighter, the need to make high-quality digital output that can hold its own on a screen next to on-demand 4K movies will ensure production remains ambitious."

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Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is Content Director for T3 and What Hi-Fi?, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for more than 15 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).