By Kim Yoo-chul
Samsung and LG Electronics are addressing possible health issues facing viewers of 3D televisions.
The two are leaders in a shift in television technology so it is natural that they want to resolve any additional problems for viewers in order to kindle their 3D appetite.
A study published by the Journal of Vision last week that was funded in part by Samsung’s research and development (R&D) arm claimed 3D screens are not good for one’s health.
A team from the University of California, Berkeley has found that when test subjects watched 3D TV, they reported a greater intensity of eye strain and fatigue and a stiffer drop in vision clarity than when they watched regular content.
The UC Berkeley study attributes the symptoms to the disparity between the depth of the screen and the depth of the 3D image as causing the most problems, though researchers also found the relationship between image depth and nearness of the screen also played a role in eye strain.
Twenty-four participants in the study were shown 3D and conventional 2D videos at various viewing distances, and then answered questionnaires on their eye fatigue, neck and back pain, and vision clarity.
``The participants responded that they experienced more eye strain and fatigue from the video with different focal distances, a feature of 3D that has long been supposed to cause eye strain. The self-reported differences between 3D and 2D were not drastic, but they were significant,’’ according to the report.
Senior Samsung Electronics spokesman Kim Choon-gon said the world’s biggest technology company is investing more to lessen such concerns and added the recent analysis is ``nothing new.’’
``The research is apparent that Samsung customers could suffer from eye-related problems in watching 3D images,’’ said one high-ranking industry executive, who recently bought a 3D set for his living room.
The analysis isn’t good news for either Samsung or LG, which are vying for 3D supremacy with releases of their latest models.
Samsung and its biggest Japanese partner Sony are strong backers of battery-powered 3D shutter glasses, while LG is hoping to break down Samsung’s initial lead in the market with its in-house film-based 3D technology, which is cheaper.
Kwon Young-soo, the chief executive of LG Display, said its so-called FPR 3D technology has recently surpassed Samsung in China in terms of market share and added it’s been narrowing the gap with Samsung in North America.
Kwon said top-tier U.S.-based retailers including Wal-Mart and Best Buy are set to aggressively promote LG’s cheaper FPR 3D technology in the latter half of the year.
He added the FPR technology clinched 27 percent of the market share in North America as of June, compared with 73 percent for the 3D shutter glasses, citing data from market research firm NPD.
``3D technologies are the ones that all leading TV makers, which have seen a rapid deterioration in their businesses, should not lose. But I am not ready to buy,’’ said 34-year-old Seoul office worker Im Hyung-seop.
Despite the rising health-related concerns, Samsung plans to push its ongoing plans for 3D as scheduled as it believes the market is supplier-driven, not buyer-driven.
``We’ve acknowledged some chronic issues surrounding 3D ― content and health ― however, we need to keep our pace up,’’ said a high-ranking Samsung official.
Samsung plans to introduce a smartphone with 3D capability this year while LG has already been selling the Optimus 3D phones in some of its key markets.
The upcoming Samsung phone will use Gingerbread OS, 1.2 gigahertz dual-core application processor and 4.3-inch OLED displays.
In accordance with the updated strategy, Samsung has been forming alliances with local and overseas content providers to develop more affordable 3D content for mobile phones and even for televisions.
``We’re working on it,’’ said the executive. Another senior Samsung spokesman Shin Young-june declined to confirm on the ongoing project citing the sensitivity of the issue.
The UC Berkeley study also found 3D viewing can also cause altered vision, dizziness, convulsions, nausea and disorientation in the body, urging parents to monitor their children while they are watching such content.
``For me, it is better to understand what kind of technology it is in real terms, before it starts to have effects on our health,’’ said Im.