We have written much about 3D TV in recent weeks and noted the great expectations for 3D TV ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, which is the "super-bowl" of consumer electronics shows worldwide.
If a technology is causing a buzz at the CES, then it is very likely to be the next big thing globally. And this year it is the turn of 3D TV.
Shawn DuBravac, research director and chief economist for the Washington DC-based CEA notes: "3D in the home is far and away one of the biggest stories at CES this year," "We have been talking about 3D at CES for many years, but this year we are taking the next step ... we are seeing products that are ready for market, real products with real prices and release dates."
The reason is that there has been a confluence of 3D related events which is finally putting a real momentum behind 3D TV globally.
Sky in the UK has long been preparing for the launch of 3D TV, and is busy test broadcasting in 3D, ready for the launch of the UK's first 3D TV channel later this year. Sky digital TV customers with Sky+HD boxes, (of which there are currently 1.6 million in the UK and Ireland), will be able to receive the new 3D TV service, but they will need to buy a 3D Ready TV.
So Sky has been pushing HD TV for a while, but the news is also that DirectTV - a similar digital satellite TV provider in the US, also plans to introduce a 3D TV channel in 2010. What's more, ESPN will start broadcasting in 3D TV this summer, in time for the World Cup. And Discovery, Sony and Imax have also got in on the 3D TV act, with their announcement for a joint venture that will roll out the first dedicated 3D television network in the US next year.
This frenzy of 3D TV activity has been made possible by two things. An agreement of 3D TV standards which has precipitated the arrival of 3D Ready TVs and related hardware (Blu-ray players and PS3's are to be capable of playing 3D discs).
And secondly a commitment by content creators, spurred on by the success of the movie Avatar, to develop 3D TV content. Both Disney and DreamWorks Animation have announced plans to develop future animated content ideas in 3D. In essence - the entire industry is now pulling in the same direction, and that is, behind 3D!
So what can UK digital TV viewers expect?
The only choice for UK 3D TV fans will be Sky for the foreseeable future. Sky+HD customers will get access to Sky's new 3D TV channel which will start broadcasting a range of sports, movies, factual and drama, later this year.
3D fans will then need to get their hands on a "3D Ready TV" with which to watch the 3D TV channel. 3D Ready TV's will start to go on sale this year and expect them to be expensive. There will be flat screen 3D Ready TV's available from Sony, LG, Panasonic and Samsung among others.
3D viewing will require 3D specs, but these will be super-cool - looking much like designer sun-glasses. These "active" glasses use synchronised shutters to block the 3D TV image from one eye and then the other very quickly.
The pundits predict that about 4.3m 3D TV sets will be sold in the US this year alone and by 2013, 25% of all digital televisions sold in the US will be 3D Ready.
If you would like to learn more, why not speak to one of our digital TV experts on 0800 1 388 388.