Sky TV says 3D television could be just around the corner for British viewers.
The satellite broadcaster has said that it has successfully tested the delivery to a normal household television via their high definition set-top box.
Over the past few months Sky has been filming events using 3D camera technology including a Six Nations rugby union international that was broadcast in 3D to an audience at a theatre in London.
Sky has gone a step further by showing that 3D could be delivered into homes, through its Sky+HD set-top box, without much difficulty at all.
Lawrence Bleach of Simplifydigital says.
“Whilst 3DTV remains, for some, the subject of science fiction films from the 70s, the news from Sky would suggest the reality isn’t far away. The great news is that it would seem this latest evolution in TV won’t require a new set top box, instead Sky are saying an existing Sky+HD box will do the job.”
With other broadcasters yet to make any announcements, it may be another reason to pick Sky as your preferred digital TV provider. Add the fact that they also have a strong broadband (up to 16Mb) and home phone offering, and Sky continues to be one of the digital service providers pushing the innovations.
Only 3 years ago Sky launched HD digital TV, and that is fast becoming mainstream with over 600,000 subscribers to the Sky service and other broadcasters and digital TV platforms now also offering high definition services. You wouldn’t bet against Sky being the first to the UK market with 3D and setting the pace against its competitors.
Some things to note about 3DTV is that you will need a 3D ready television set, not yet available in UK stores, and you would need to wear 3D polarising glasses but, 3DTV could be on British shores sooner rather than later – Some channels in Japan are already been broadcast in 3D whilst major TV manufacturers are currently looking at building 3DTV prototypes without the need to wear 3D glasses whilst viewing.