News

After successful 3D coverage from the Wimbledon tennis championships and the London 2012 Olympic Games ahead, the BBC has announced further original 3D programming for the summer, part of its two-year trial of 3D production and broadcasting.

Both the BBC and Eurosport will be providing 3D coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, starting on July 27, broadcasting from the ASTRA 28.2°E satellites.

European broadcast services provider Media Broadcast has opened a DVB-S2 platform on ASTRA 3B at 23.5°E to provide high definition channels to cable and DTH viewers in Central and Eastern Europe, in particular the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The first HD channel to be carried is the CT1 general entertainment channel from Czech public television broadcaster Česká Televize.

Visit www.media-broadcast.com for further information

The first 3D televisions for the home that do not require special 3D glasses have gone on sale in the UK. The Toshiba 55ZL2 has a 135cm (55in) screen equipped with a lenticular filter and a built-in camera that detects the position of up to nine viewers’ faces watching the TV to direct the left and right images to the correct eye of each viewer. The 3D effect is less pronounced than that from conventional 3D TVs with glasses, and it requires viewers to keep still. The television offers four times normal full HD resolution, includes a digital satellite TV tuner and costs around £7000 (€8500).

Visit www.toshiba.co.uk for further information

European cultural channel, ARTE will broadcast a day of 3D programmes on Sunday February 19. The ARTE HD channel, which broadcasts free-to-air from ASTRA 19.2°E, will carry five 3D productions from 3pm, including animal documentary, Little Monsters, the glossy documentary France's Most Beautiful Coasts, dance film Flamenco Hoy, and a 2010 concert by Marina and the Diamonds.  Viewers without the 3D receiver and TV required to watch in 3D can watch the programmes in conventional 2D on the other ARTE channels on ASTRA 19.2°E.

Viewers with access to 3D television watch 3D programmes regularly, according to research from Strategy Analytics. Two thirds of 3DTV owners across Europe and the US are watching at least one show in 3D each week, while 41% claim to be watching one or more shows in 3D every day.

Another survey in the US on behalf of Panasonic by Frank N Magid Associates has found that once viewers have experienced 3DTV, most think it significantly improves their viewing experience. Of those surveyed, 99% said 3DTV is at least "somewhat better" than either standard or high definition 2D TV while 71 per cent said that 3DTV is "much better" or "dramatically better" than 2D. Eleven 3D channels are currently broadcast on ASTRA satellites.

Visit www.strategyanalytics.com and www.magid.com for more information

The DVB Group, which sets technical standards for digital TV broadcasting, is producing new ‘Phase 2' standards for 3D TV broadcasts, expected to be in place next year. Extensions to the 3D standards used at the moment include full high definition for 3D broadcasts and adjustable depth so viewers can alter the intensity of the 3D effect according to viewing conditions, to reduce any eye strain.

SES (operator of the ASTRA satellites) is a member of the DVB Group.

Visit www.dvb.org for more information

A study by consumer electronics shopping website, Retrevo has found that the price premium of 3D TVs over non-3D sets has fallen by 65% in the past year. The study of retail prices of 47in-50in (115cm-123cm) 1080p ‘full HD’ sets from top brands including LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and others shows that the additional cost to buyers for a 3D TV is currently $400, fallen from over $900 12 months ago.

Retrevo’s study claims that the high price premium is one of the most common reasons consumers cite for not buying a 3D TV, and predicts that the 3D price difference could drop as low as $150–$200 before the end of the year, in time for the Christmas shopping season.

ASTRA satellites currently carry 11 channels broadcasting in 3D at 19.2°E, 28.2°E, 23.5°E and 5°E.

Visit www.retrevo.com for further info

Prices for TVs of 40in (102cm) and larger have now reached the level of mass market appeal, and there is a groundswell of consumer demand for larger sized screens, according to research company, Futuresource Consulting. Demand for larger TVs is expected to grow, especially as early adopters of flat panel TVs are looking to replace their original set with a larger more feature-rich model, opting for ultra-thin bezels, connectivity, energy saving and 3D capability.

By 2015 nearly 65 million homes, or 40% of households, in Western Europe will own a 3D-ready TV, says Futuresource, although not all will be used for 3D viewing as increasingly 3D capability will be built-in to TVs by default.

There are currently 10 channels broadcasting in 3D from ASTRA satellites at 19.2°E, 28.2°E and 23.5°E, and Futuresource says that in the last year the number of broadcasters worldwide that are planning 3D content has grown almost threefold.

Visit www.futuresource-consulting.com for further info