DirecTV Getting Into 3D
DIRECTV, Inc., the world’s most popular television service, and Panasonic, a world leader in HDTV and digital electronics, announced today a strategic relationship that, for the first time, will bring 3D TV, the next frontier of television entertainment, to the largest audience nationwide. Beginning in June 2010, millions of DIRECTV HD customers will receive a free software upgrade enabling them to have access to three dedicated 3D channels through their 3D television sets, such as Panasonic’s VIERA Full HD 3D TVs.
Panasonic will be the exclusive presenting sponsor of DIRECTV’s new HD 3D channels, which will deliver movies, sports and entertainment content from some of the world’s most renowned 3D producers. DIRECTV and Panasonic will leverage current relationships with programming partners and movie studios to obtain new and existing 3D content. DIRECTV is currently working with AEG/AEG Digital Media, CBS, Fox Sports/FSN, Golden Boy Promotions, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., to develop additional 3D programming that will debut in 2010-2011. The sponsorship will feature Panasonic branding on all DIRECTV 3D channels for a one-year period.
“We led the way with HD and we are excited to do the same with 3D,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “Adding the most HD channels to our lineup gave customers a viewing experience that was incredibly lifelike; adding 3D to the mix will take that one step further allowing them to become part of the cast as the picture comes to life in their living rooms. We are taking a technology that at one time could only be seen in a theater and bringing it into the living rooms of the largest audience in the United States. By partnering with Panasonic, we are bringing together two industry leaders to deliver the most advanced television technology available today and together we are continuing to set the standard for the best television viewing experience available.”
“Panasonic has been developing 3D standards for television for several years, and we believe it represents a fundamentally new experience in home entertainment because it adds the immersive nature of real life,” said Yoshi Yamada, chairman & CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Our relationship with DIRECTV is a core component of our ‘end-to-end’ strategy of building out an entire 3D entertainment ecosystem. From leading the development of the Full HD 3D standard for Blu-ray Disc to launching Full HD 3D stereoscopic prosumer camcorders; to now supporting broadcast of 3D content by DIRECTV; to introducing a broad line of Full HD 3D VIERA televisions and a Full HD 3D Blu-ray player in 2010; our commitment to 3D is unquestioned in the industry.”
At launch, the new DIRECTV HD 3D programming platform, powered by Panasonic, will offer a 24/7 3D pay per view channel focused on movies, documentaries and other programming, a 24/7 3D DIRECTV on Demand channel and a free 3D sampler demo channel featuring event programming such as sports, music and other content.
In addition, Panasonic is working to make available 3D production tools, such as Full HD 3D camcorders, professional monitors and related production technology assistance.
Panasonic will showcase its suite of Full HD 3D VIERA televisions and home theater system products tuned to a dedicated DIRECTV 3D channel with exclusive content from the motion picture, “AVATAR” and other sports, entertainment, documentary and music footage at its booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, #9405) at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Committed to Making 3D in the Home
Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. has announced its continued commitment to bring 3D into the homes of consumers. Over the past several years, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics has worked closely with technology and content providers to present consumers with an immersive and compelling 3D experience in the home theater market with Mitsubishi’s leading 3D-ready Home Theater HDTV product line.
“As the home theater market continues to flourish and the cinema space continues to embrace 3D, it is clear that this technology will be the next in-demand feature on home theater products,” said Frank DeMartin, vice president, marketing, at Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. “3D in the home is becoming an exciting reality and Mitsubishi’s 3D-ready Home Theater TVs will play a key role in allowing consumers to enjoy 3D movies and gaming.”
Mitsubishi’s entire product line of Home Theater TVs feature 3D-ready technology. The company continues to lead the competition with the largest Home Theater HDTV available at 73”. The latest product line includes three 73″ models along with 60” and 65″ sizes – all featuring thinner frames, increased brightness and 3D-ready capability.
Mitsubishi’s 1080p Home Theater TVs provide unparalleled picture quality that far exceeds competitive displays, and deliver an optimal experience to enjoy the new generation of 3D home entertainment. “Consumer demand for 3D-capable HDTVs and content will only increase in 2009 and beyond. The industry can expect Mitsubishi to keep pace with this increased demand while at the same making enhancements to our 3D-ready Home Theater TVs for 2009-2010,” said David Naranjo, director of product development, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America.
About Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.
Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc., the Official HDTV Sponsor of The PGA TOUR, manufactures and markets a comprehensive line of premium quality 1080p Home Theater TVs and Premium Flat Panel TVs along with the world’s first laser TV: LaserVue™. Recognized as the world leader and innovator of large display high-definition televisions, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America builds products that lead the industry in quality, performance and ease-of-use.
Are Consumers Ready for a 3D TV Upgrade?
With the buzz surrounding 3D TV, one has to wonder if consumers are really ready for an upgrade. After already spending thousands within the last five years to upgrade to flat screen technology, is the majority really willing to pull out their wallets again? Furthermore, is 3D TV going to be worth the premium price that TV manufacturers will charge for it?
Looking back on what consumers typically spent on televisions, you soon realize that TV manufacturers have really been raking it in. It was only until the introduction of flat screen technology that encouraged TV manufacturers to lower their prices on their CRT models. Until then, prices held steady throughout the years.
With the introduction of 3D TV we might expect the price of regular flat screen televisions to come down dramatically, much like what happened with the price of CRT televisions. But with flat screen televisions already at historically low prices, it’s unlikely that they have any room to bring prices down any further. A 50” HDTV LCD, flat screen television sold anywhere from $4000 to $6000 per unit only five years ago. That same television could easily be bought for under $1000 today! With dramatic price drops like these, you can see that there is little room left for price dropping.
We can expect the price of a 3DTV to cost well above what a typical flat screen, HDTV currently costs. You’ll also require a 3D TV player as well, at least until broadcasters are capable of streaming it over cable. With limited content available and the requirement to purchase specialized equipment, it’s clear that most consumers won’t be upgrading to 3D TV anytime soon.
3D TV Technology Surpasses HDTV
3D TV is cutting edge technology that will change the way you watch television. In the world of science, researchers are always looking to the future. While consumers are still scratching their heads and trying to decide which high-definition television (HDTV) to buy for their home theatres, researchers in laboratories around the world are already working to develop technologies that would surpass HDTV.
What will be the next step in the evolution of television? While there are labs in Japan that are working on super high-definition displays, the next true milestone is expected to be much more significant than simply improving image sharpness and color. Researchers believe the next coup in the advancement of television will involve the addition of a third dimension. This monumental step can be likened to the addition of color to black-and-white television displays. In the future, stereoscopic or three-dimensional (3D-TV) displays will allow viewers to immerse themselves inside a world of objects that are separated in depth, far beyond the screen’s surface. Best of all, you won’t need those restrictive red and blue glasses that our parents or grandparents wore to enjoy 3D in the movie theatre.
Research into 3D-TV has been underway since the mid 90s. Initial research projects addressed the important issue of determining the perceptual benefits that 3D would bring. More recently, the focus has shifted to human visual characteristics that could be exploited for applications in video coding, transmission, storage and display of 3D program material.
