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Posted on August 25th, 2009 by David Bayon
Will Channel 4’s 3D experiment work?
It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for all these years, the 3D spectacular to really kick-start the technology in homes across the UK. It’s eye-popping, it’s nail-biting, it’s heart-stopping, it’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
It’s… sorry about this… it’s… um… footage from 1953 of the Queen’s coronation year. In 3D.
Not exactly what I had in mind, but the news that Channel 4 is going to run a week of primetime 3D content this Autumn is just one more step along 3D’s road to the mainstream. The line-up also includes a Derren Brown special and a selection of 3D movies, and it’ll all be possible with your existing TV set – all you’ll need is a pair of special specs from Sainsbury’s.
Now, this worries me a bit. I’ve seen the type of technology Sky is planning to use – with a 120Hz TV set required – and it works well. Really well. By contrast, the simpler method used by broadcasts such as this isn’t so immersive. My recent feature, 3D: Coming to a Screen Near You, explains the differences.
My worry is that, by beating Sky to the punch like this, Channel 4 could be merely extending the disappointment most viewers feel when they buy one of those cheap 3D DVDs, with cardboard glasses in the box. Too many people have an idea of 3D that’s based on outdated technology, and it takes a real 3D viewing experience to alter that misconception.
Channel 4 will be using ColorCode 3D glasses, which use amber and blue filters to produce the 3D effect. I’m sure it’s new technology, and I’m ready to admit I’m wrong when the broadcasts begin, but that sounds to me like a backward step, not only from the active-shutter technology used by Sky and Nvidia, but also even from the polarised glasses used in current 3D cinemas.
What sort of damage could be done if the nation tunes in and watches with an underwhelming collective shrug? To be fair, the technology has been tried in America for an episode of Chuck, and the reaction was apparently positive.
I really want the same reaction to occur in the UK, so I’ll be switching to Channel 4 in the coming weeks with my fingers and toes firmly crossed. Will you?
16 Responses to “ Will Channel 4’s 3D experiment work? ”
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August 25th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I agree that this could be an enourmous thorn in the side of 3D progression into the mainstream, but, if the technology pans out, it could also be the bridge into the developing technology that is required.
Consider that most people watching these trials will not have experienced 3D since the days of Superman 3D with the red and blue cereal box specs. Even if the tech is mediocre by current standards, it may well blow average joe’s socks off.
I, hope thats true, because I really, really want 3D to succeed in the mainstream.
August 26th, 2009 at 7:25 am
What about those of us without binocular vision? what will we see?
August 26th, 2009 at 9:12 am
@DrSpook
I guess you’ll see one angle.
I have a very dominant right eye to the extent that I hardly ever use my left eye.
I went to see Coraline in 3D in the cinema (top film, BTW!). The film looked alright for me but I couldn’t really get any 3D effect. The only time I had a proper problem was when things were supposed to really pop out of the screen and then they looked rather fuzzy.
You do still need to wear the specs, though, otherwise things do look very fuzzy!
August 26th, 2009 at 11:39 am
@DrSpook
Actually that is a very good point I hadn’t thought much about.
If this technology catches on and makes it mainstream, will that marginalise those with disabilities that cannot use the new system? Would content have to be simultaneously broadcast in 2D?
August 26th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I watched Chuck 3D last night and I am impressed because unlike the past anaglyph methods (red/cyan, red/blue, green/mangenta, etc…) the color-code method (Amber/Dark Blue) retains the original colours whilst adding depth, so until the 3D TV idea happens or someone finds away to make Imax work at home, this is the way to go to watch 3D at home.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Only Sainsbury’s? No other supermarket? No small village shop?
If so that will not make friends with most of the population.
August 29th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Sheesh! how many more times are they going to spoil the user’s expectations?
This really shouldn’t be allowed to go ahead.
Let’s all just wait until a 99.x% for ‘everyone’ solution is feasible. Virtual reality is a great idea, and was badly executed. But that was mainly down to being over-hyped, not to mention looking like a prize ‘tw@’ with a porta-potty on your head.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:31 am
yawn
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
3D or £D?
Since the “new” technology comes with a massive price hike in cinema (the £2 surcharge is a 26% increase!). The price increase in cinema tickets has risen at twice the rate of inflation in the last decade and now they are adding another surcharge for 3D.
I don’t recall asking for 3D and having watched Ice Age 3 and G-Force, I have to say that it adds nothing to the experience except eye strain and an empty wallet.
Having the those few remaining TV programmes worth watching get “specially ruined for 3D” would be about the last straw.
No thanks.
September 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Does no one remember the 3D TV that Tomorrow’s World did many years ago with a full episode of Eastenders in 3D? It was filmed using motion, and used one darkened lens to fool the brain into viewing a 3D image. Without a tinted lens the programme was completely normal to watch.
September 24th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Those were based on using the pulfrich effect – that works okay as long as the camera is moving in a horizontal motion to fool the brain but they would actually work with any footage, it doesn’t need to be shot especially.
YouTube is also embarking on the 3D route with their new 3d player that is embeded into the site. This will allow users with any, or no, types of 3D glasses to view videos in the correct format.
Check out http://www.youtube.com/enhanceddimensions to see it in action or http://www.enhanced-dimensions.com/wordpress/ to find out more.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I can’t believe they’re ONLY available at Sainsburys – not much help if you don’t have a Sainsburys nearby. My nearest is out of town, 3 miles away and isn’t on a bus route – I’m not walking 6 miles for some poxy glasses!
November 17th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Can anyone tell me if it comes with egg?
November 17th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I know from the Internet that if you can’t get to Sainsbury’s but live near a Theatre (or know someone who works in a theatre), get them to give you offcuts of gel used to colour lights. Lee71 over your right eye and both Lee179 and Lee211 over your left eye will allow you to watch the broadcasts in ColourCode 3D perfectly!
November 19th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Anyone? Egg?
November 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
J, I thought I was the only one who remembered the Tomorrow’s World 3D special with special Eastenders. It was great to watch and all done by fooling the brain. Incredible to think people are designing special 3D TVs when there is no need.