3D: A False Prophet?

By Annlee Ellingson

January 9, 2008 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The projection format that was supposed to save exhibition makes its way into the home

3D in its most recent digital incarnation has been hailed as the savior of exhibition. Not only does the technology differentiate the movie-viewing experience from even the most advanced home theatre systems, but, proponents purport, it prevents piracy.

But it just ain’t so—on both counts. Clever film thieves—and they are clever—will know enough to cover the lens of their camcorders with one eye of a pair of 3D glasses to override the image-blurring dual projection. And the next big advance in home entertainment systems post-HDTV and high-definition DVDs looks like it will be stereoscopy.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is in full swing in Las Vegas, where a Monday session was dedicated to the discussion topic “Home Theater in 3D,” and several companies are demonstrating three-dimensional displays, including Samsung, Mitsubishi and Korea’s Pavonine.

But the most damning evidence of the inevitable evolution of the technology came with a recent executive hire at Real D, the digital 3D firm that dominates stereoscopic cinema with more than 1,000 screens worldwide. The company recently claimed its screens accounted for one-third of Beowulf’s total gross.

Last week Real D named DVD pioneer Koji Hase president of worldwide consumer electronics. Hase joins the 3D company from Warner Home Video, where he guided the studio’s high-definition DVD and download businesses. He will oversee the launch of Real D’s global business in 3D consumer/home products.

Naturally Real D and other stereoscopic cinema companies will look to expand their businesses. It appears, though, that 3D’s promise as industry salvo may be short-lived.

http://boxoffice.com/blogs/annlee-ellingson/2008/01/3d-a-false-prophet.php