It's been a long time coming, but today saw the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) announce the finalisation and release of the Blu-ray 3D specification.
According to the announcement, the Blu-ray 3D specification calls for encoding 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 players. MPEG4-MVC compresses both left and right eye views with a typical 50 per cent overhead compared to equivalent 2D content, and can provide full 1080p resolution backward compatibility with current 2D Blu-ray Disc players. The specification also incorporates enhanced graphic features for 3D. These features provide a new experience for users, enabling navigation using 3D graphic menus and displaying 3D subtitles positioned in 3D video.
Importantly, the specification is display agnostic, meaning that Blu-ray 3D products will deliver the 3D image to any compatible 3D display, regardless of whether that display uses LCD, Plasma or other technology and regardless of what 3D technology the display uses to deliver the image to the viewer's eyes. It is also designed to allow PS3 game consoles to play back Blu-ray 3D content in 3D.
'Throughout this year, movie goers have shown an overwhelming preference for 3D when presented with the option to see a theatrical release in either 3D or 2D. 'We believe this demand for 3D content will carry over into the home now that we have, in Blu-ray Disc, a medium that can deliver a quality Full HD 3D experience to the living room' says Victor Matsuda, chairman, BDA Global Promotions Committee with regards to the announcement.
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In the latest Home Cinema Choice:
Well rather you than me...
Neil McAlister (not verified) - 17 December 2009 - 2:28pmHopefully this means that basic 2D Blu-Ray discs will become cheap as chips, while everyone else upgrades their hardware and sits and watches films with stupid glasses on while being charged an absolute fortune for discs. Bring it on!
A blind alley to go down
Alex Wright (not verified) - 17 December 2009 - 3:13pmThis seems nothing more than a desperate ploy to drag money from the consumer on what has to be intermediate technology. Viewer goggles, discomfort, distraction and compromised resolution are a real blind alley for theatre, home or otherwise imo.
More expense? No thanks
Nathan Kemp (not verified) - 17 December 2009 - 7:47pmIt's not been a year since I was convinced to by a 50" full 1080p 24fps Plasma TV and Blu-ray player. Now they want me to chuck all this away and replace the lot so I can watch a few 3D movies. I've been known to waste copious amounts of cash on home cinema equipment in my time but even this is too much for me.
I'll be sitting this one out I think.
Well I'm looking forward to
Alan Smithee (not verified) - 20 December 2009 - 12:51pmWell I'm looking forward to this. The only issue I have is I think 3D at home will only really work on large projection TV'S.
googling with goggling anyone ?
Alan Smithee - 7 March 2010 - 1:32pmHey those big floppy goggles look kinda stylish, do they come in different colors?, can I wear them all the time ?