LG teams with SkyLife to grow 3D TV

LG today set out plans to greatly expand the use of 3D in TVs within two years. The Korean firm has partnered with satellite broadcaster SkyLife both to set standards for how 3D broadcasts behave, including both delivery and in minimizing the side effects, as well as to roll out trials for 3D TV. The two will start in Korea but plan to expand to Europe and North America in 2010; the rest of the Americas and Asia will get the experience in 2011.

As part of the teamwork, LG expects to ship a total of 3.8 million 3D-capable HDTVs in the next two years, including 400,000 in 2010 and the rest the following year. SkyLife in turn plans to invest about $25 million in creating 3D content.

While LG already has a 3D TV on the market in the 3D version of the 47LH50, it plans to give multiple flagship sets the feature and expects them to use an extra-thin bezel that should better emphasize the 3D effect. It also wants to reduce the demands on the viewer and expects many sets to only need shutter glasses instead of the heavier, more expensive active glasses; LG hopes to have the TVs do all the 3D composition themselves and also has TV tuners that can pick up future 3D TV signals.

Besides LG, major TV makers like Samsung, Sony and Toshiba are likely to step up their own 3D efforts next year; Sony in particular plans to air the World Cup in 3D while many broadcasters will cover the 2012 London Olympics in the same format.

By Electronista Staff