3D Television in Australia, but only for a limited time?

There has been growing discussion about 3D television in Australia during recent weeks. The Nine Network promoting that they will be the first broadcaster to trial the technology in Australia. Some Australians maybe unaware that Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has also been authorised by the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) to trail 3D broadcasting.

‘In April 2010 the ACMA received applications from both the SBS and Nine that to conduct trials of 3D TV using unassigned BSB spectrum. Following negotiations between the broadcasters that resulted in a single combined trial to be conducted in each market, the ACMA received applications for transmitter licences in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and Wollongong’ (ACMA).

Nine have recently promoted that they would be the first to broadcast 3D sport in Australia, with their coverage of the rugby State of Origin. Foxtel subsequently announced they would be broadcasting the Socceroos match from the MCG on the 24th May in 3D, resulting in Foxtel taking the trophy from Nine as first (by two days) to broadcast 3D sport in Australia. The Nine Network will still be the first free-to-air broadcaster, as SBS won’t be trialling the new broadcasting method until the Soccer World Cup, with their announcement of an SBS 3D World Cup channel during the tournament.

There has been no clear indication for the future of 3D television in Australia after the two month trial by the Nine Network and SBS. Nor is there any indication of the population percentage that have a 3D television to be able to view the trial broadcasts. Mark Leathan, head of marketing consumer electronics for Samsung, has ‘predicted 3D sets would account for 10 per cent of television sales over the next year’ (SMH). The questions is what percentage of the population require a new television? Some members of the Australian public may have already upgraded during the governments recent upgrade to digital television campaign.

Not only is there an argument about the niche Australian audience that have access to the technology, but also the health risks. Mark Pesce argues that ‘all of this is rolling forward without any thought to the potential health hazards of continuous, long-term exposure to 3D. None of the television manufacturers have done any health & safety testing around this’ (ABC).

The newer version of 3D we see being used today uses a Parallax technique, one of many monocular cues of our eyes. So as Pesce argues ‘Basically, you’re fighting with your own brain, which is getting a bit confused. It’s got some cues to give it a sense of depth, but it’s missing others. Eventually your brain just starts ignoring the other cues’ (ABC). Hence the reason why some of us find it difficult to adjust after viewing a 3D movie or now television program.

Time will tell whether this 3D tsunami will make it to land or cease prior and wash out along side HD DVD?

RELATED LINKS
Keep doing that and you’ll go blind?
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2813511.htm

3D TV trials
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312131

3D Socceroos
?http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/video/0,,Socceroos_34475,00.html

3D TV, Cinema & Gaming Guide?
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/guide/3d/3d_technology.htm

Fox Sports beats Nine to first 3D sports broadcast
?http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/346760/fox_sports_beats_nine_first_3d_sports_broadcast/

SBS to broadcast World Cup in 3D?
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1258357/SBS-to-broadcast-World-Cup-in-3D

3D TV about to kick off
?http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/3d-tv-about-to-kick-off-20100517-v6tz.html??

Australian broadcasters dabble in 3D TV?
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/hometech/australian-broadcasters-dabble-in-3d-tv-20100118-mfej.html

3D TV is here, but content is not
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/3d-tv-is-here-but-content-is-not-20100416-skgi.html??

Photosensitive Seizure Warning and Other Health Risks
?http://www.samsung.com/au/tv/notice.html

SBS 3D, Fox Sports 3D, Nine 3D. The 3D Home Entertainment Revolution starts with Sport.
http://www.throng.com.au/state-origin/sbs-3d-fox-sports-3d-nine-3d-3d-home-entertainment-revolution-starts-sport