Is 3D video all it`s cracked up to be?

Now because I have written a title like this obviously means that I am doubting 3D video. There seems to be more and more buzz surrounding the whole “new technology” of 3D video. I’m talking about the fact that its not really a new technology. It is just two videos from slightly different angles with a bit of trigonometry to overlay them correctly.

So it is now clear that I need some convincing that 3D video is actually something worth looking at. I have therefore split this article into a few sections. Feel free to add your comments. I am totally open to your suggestions about what it can be used for.

Video quality

Video quality is really important, the ability to see all colours of the spectrum is a must. Sitting at my desk with green/red glasses watching what then looks like a grey video doesn’t fill me with excitement. It really needs to be full colour and not blurriness.

Webcams

There are now webcams being sold that can record in 3D. They have 2 lenses that are a few inches apart, it therefore knows the distance and can work out the angles and produce a live stream of 3D video. So lets say you want to watch a 3D stream, you have to find the stream and get the right glasses. These could be cyan/red, amber/blue or polarising etc. You would then have to buy glasses that matched the stream and hope that other videos are in the correct format.

YouTube

YouTube have the right idea. One of their developers is doing a project to add 3D video. What they are doing is allowing the user to swap how the video is viewed. So you can swap the format the video is in, colours and views all in real-time. This is obviously the way to make the video compatible with all kinds of glasses and viewing techniques. For istance see the video below. You need to view the video on YouTube to see all the viewing options for changing colours and aspect ratio etc.

View the video on YouTube

Digital TV

This is interesting to me. The Sky network in the UK has been testing 3D broadcasting this year and says it might have some programmes out at Christmas. I would love to see how this works and the technology behind it. Does it require 2 simultaneous streams of the same programme for each “eye”? Will they supply viewing equipment? I will definitely expand this post when I find out more.

Please let me know your feelings on the subject. I think that there could be a place for 3D but it needs to be standardised or open to different viewing techniques.

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