3D triples fun of watching TV

A cameraman shoots the mass cheering of the Red Devils, supporters of the country’s national football team, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, for 3D broadcasting in this 2010 June file photo. SkyLife has been showing 3D content through its SKY3D channel. / Courtesy of SkyLife

By Yoon Ja-young

Since the global success of “Avatar,” 3D has become the keyword of the movie industry. 3D fantasies like “Shrek” and “Alice in Wonderland” swept the cinema, and the new wave made more people consider enjoying 3D at home, triggering fierce competition among TV manufacturers to lead the 3D TV market.

How does 3D work?

When look at something with the left eye and then switch to the right one, you will note that the two images are different. When we see something with both eyes, the brain combines the two images into one providing depth (3D) perception.

It takes a special camera to make a 3D movie. A camera which has two lenses like human eyes films from two different angles, and viewers use special projection hardware or eyewear to give the illusion of depth. The flimsy red-and-green cardboard glasses and gigantic projection screens of IMAX theaters are some of the special devices used.

Some 3D films are based on 3D conversion technology. They shoot it with an ordinary camera, and later use a computer program to transform it to 3D. Production this way is usually cheaper than filming with a special camera.

The history of 3D dates back further than most people imagine. The patent for a 3D movie process was filed in the 1890s by British filmmaker William Friese-Greene, and the first 3D film was shown in 1915.

The current technology saw explosive growth as the industry has noted the profitability of 3D. “Consumers in the U.S. and in Europe have demonstrated a willingness to pay a premium for 3D content. For the 3D version of the Hannah Montana concert film, tickets sold for $15 to $25, while average US ticket prices are approximately $7 for a traditional movie and $40 for a concert,” Price Waterhouse Coopers said in a report. “Monster vs. Alien,” an animation by DreamWorks, saw 55 percent of its profit from 3D screens, which accounted for only 30 percent of theaters that showed the movie. After the ratio of 3D profit soared to 80 percent in “Bloody Valentine,” 3D facilities have become a necessary investment for film theaters.

The number of 3D theaters in Korea totals 117, compared to less than 50 two years ago. The number of 3D movies shown in Korea last year totaled 26, and they took 11.4 percent of the total audience and 16.5 percent of sales. The previous year they took 1.2 percent of audiences and 2.2 percent of sales.

3D technology at home

3D used to be only about movies. But the technology is being applied to home TVs, laptop computers and even cell phones.

3D TV provides viewers with lively and real feelings by adding depth to two-dimensional videos.

SkyLife, the country’s satellite broadcasting company, has been showing 3D content 24 hours a day on SKY3D, the first channel in the world dedicated to the medium.

“We had 3D broadcasting for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and received positive responses from viewers,” a representative for SkyLife said. It also produced and showed “Kimchiwang,” the first 3D drama in the country.

The London Olympics 2012 is scheduled to be broadcast in 3D and the market expects to see huge growth. Korean manufacturers LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics are in the leading group, supporting different technology. Samsung is pushing shuttered-glasses (SG) with long-time corporate partner Sony, while LG is betting on its latest film patterned retarder (FPR) technology. The controversies over dizziness or negative effects on the eyes are problems 3D TV makers still need to solve.

From 3D to 4D

3D technology is far from perfect, but the market is already enjoying 4D technology, though it is only at an initial stage. 4D provides physical effects such as scent, wind, speed and touch added to the 3D’s perception of depth. For example, when the hero jumps onto a huge bird from the cliff, the chair shakes to give the audience the sense, and the wind would blows on the audience when the bird flies. The 4D theaters hence are equipped with devices such as water sprays and air jets, as well as vibrating chairs and bubbles.

Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn
Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn