A senior BBC figure has admitted he has been left perplexed by the focus on 3D televisions at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Although it was heavily featured last year, 3D had an even bigger role in CES 2011 - something that the Roland Allen, the BBC's head of technology liaison in the broadcaster's future media and technology department, believes is worrying.

"3D TV is again increasing its profile on the consumer technology agenda this year, being the dominant technology being exhibited by the big Korean and Japanese manufacturers," blogged Allen.

"From my perspective working for a broadcaster like the BBC this is somewhat perplexing to see given the relative complexity and cost involved in producing 3D content."

Concerned

Allen underlined his concern that content is not being created at a rate fast enough to feed the 3D interest.

"Sony in particular has a significantly revamped and much larger presence than in previous years, emphatically promoting 3D as the core of its product line up.

"In Sony's case the focus on 3D is lent credibility by the fact that they own a significant slice of the content business in terms of 3D film production; this is not a position enjoyed by most of the other 3D TV manufacturers however and there is little evidence at CES that volume 3D content is a reality."

3D content makers

Sky has already launched Sky 3D, a dedicated 3D channel for the UK market, but Allen's fears about the amount of content are founded in reality.

Major films have become the subject of bidding wars from broadcaster keen to get their hands on the key 3D releases, although Sky is producing its own sports, entertainment and arts content.

However, the BBC has not yet joined the 3D revolution and Allen's comments suggest that Auntie is not steaming into the latest TV technology without lengthy pause for thought.

http://www.techradar.com/news/televisio ... oad-921050

Probably a good thing. Most people still do not have a 3D TV and are unlikely for a number of years. HD TV is now becoming more mainstream and households simply cannot afford to upgrade their sets again.

As an aside would the female presenters need time for surgery to help their 3D appearance on TV?

Probably, and so will most of the blokes.

What rocks about 3D TV...... They drive down the price on non 3D TV's that I want to buy.

I also like this, but doubt I will be in the market for a new or even second hand TV in at least the next three years. Roll on holographic displays I say.

That is my take on it as well. I am in the market for a new HD TV later in the year, I am thinking of an LED TV this time with built in freeview HD. Prices are getting sensible and later in the year I am sure that they will be cheaper still.

I recently saw that mental Philip 21:9 TV for £999. It was FOUR GRAND when it came out.

I would love one of those but will not spend that sort of money. I think £500 for a sub 40" LED version and I will be buying. I might have to wait another year, but then I am not rushing to buy so who knows?

I actually went to PC world the other day. There was a 40" Freeview HD 100hz TV for under £800.
Smaller LCD TV's were dirt cheap in the sale.

Yes they are getting cheaper even with the 20% VAT. I can quite happily accept a 32" or 37" LED TV. Prices are coming down but I do not think that 3D TV will be the success that the manufacturers hope they will be.

Some LEDs are [LIFTED] though. It depends on the method used to (back)light the screen. IIRC - and i'm sure Wiki will tell me if I bother to look - there's three methods and one is no better, maybe even worse depending on the spec of the TV, than traditional sets.

It's heading the way of cinema - gimmicks over content. If a film is c***, then putting it in 3D won't make it any better (except to those who are easily distracted by the pseudo-3D effect). I'd prefer they put their efforts into making decent programs/films rather than mucking around with 3D [i]unless[i] it doesn't cost any more to do it. The BBC wastes enough money as it is.

+1, and I can't imagine it'll ever be worth getting around the technical limitations to film the majority of content in 3D - who'd want to continually jump from one perspective to the other over a night's viewing?

I hope it will be a long time before TV starts getting 3D content. Let the film makers figure it out how to do it properly.

One thing I do know is that the BBC has a lot of information on what equipment can and can’t be used to make programming - helps maintain workflows and consistency in picture. I’d guess that if they did start transmitting 3D, there would be very strict production rules so that the BBC’s 3D would be the same across programming.

It’s taken the BBC years to get a dedicated BBC 1 HD channel, so I don’t expect them to be jumping on the bandwagon any time soon. If anything, someone in TV Centre is playing with some kit.

Oh, I think I could cope with Countdown going 3D if they really wanted to...