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San Jose, Calif., October 15, 2008 --
3D Biz-Ex, co-produced by the FlexTech Alliance and Insight Media, drew a record attendance of 265 enthusiasts, demonstrating the heightened consumer and industry interest in 3D displays. The conference, tutorials, exhibition and special events, held September 30 - October 1, 2008 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., covered a broad range of 3D applications from cinema to gaming; from handheld communication devices to simulation and training.
Following the event, we asked a number of attendees to comment on what the highlights, take-aways and buzz of the event were. Below is a summary of some of these comments:
· The wide availability of 3D DLP and PDP sets shows that the chicken-and-egg
logjam is being broken as the installed base grows.
· What was interesting is just how fast
this segment of the 3D marketplace
is evolving. We can now see how
3D will become a consumer
product. The fundamental
technologies are becoming available
and can be purchased by early
adopters. The quality of the
experience is there, but we just
don't know how well homeowners
will receive it.
· The real question we have been
asking, and I heard voiced by others
at the show, is what will really happen when 3D is available to consumers.
Will they
wear glasses? Will gamers truly embrace the technology based on the responses to
brief demonstrations?
· The studios are pushing hard for more 3D screens by 2009 as they have 3D content
they want to expose it to as wide an audience as possible.
· Disney, Paramount and others will create mainstream animation movies, etc. for 3D
but some of the really interesting potential for 3D could come from some of the
independents, who are willing to experiment with the technology and its affects on the
visuals (and the audience). I was impressed that so many of these types were at the
event.
· Hollywood studios are divided on the speed of introduction to 3D.
· We can't underestimate the importance of the content. 3D could become a gimmick
that people get used to (or even taken for granted) so the content still has to be
strong. And, good 3D cannot make up for bad content.
· Given the growing realization that more 3D content is needed, we now feel a need
for more professional 2D-to-3D conversion (not real-time in display).
· The general economic slowdown may actually be good for 3D.
· nVidia is getting serious about 3D gaming,
which may become the first big engine for
growth.
· A lot of time on the agenda was for
standards groups, which is indeed a
reflection of the state of the industry right
now.
· The hyperactivity in 3D standards
development is both good and bad.
Standards are needed, but standards
bodies tend to be territorial and slow
moving. If companies wait for the
standards bodies to act, it could slow 3D adoption.
· The best buzz was Philips Quad full HD autostereoscopic display, which showed for
the first time that HD level quality could be achieved with a no-glasses solution. This
is a key milestone that will lay the groundwork for no-glasses 3DTVs for the home.
· The concern with lenticular no-glasses approaches is the failure to be able to see the
image when your headed is tilted (as it might be if youre lying down on a couch).
· The availability of an evening event that is something other than a panel discussion -
but that is still on point (Imax 3D cinema), was a big winner. The IMAX
presentation was quite stunning, and IMAX remains the best place to see 3D cinema.
· Some of the tutorials were particularly good, providing a comprehensive look at the
subject matter.
· The "3D Around the World"
session provided important and
useful information in a compact
format and was presented by
people who should know the
latest. This session should definitely
be continued in future 3D
conferences.
· Several people specifically
commented that they appreciated
the networking opportunities
provided by 3D Biz-Ex.
· I believe the 3DTV is the thin edge
of the wedge that will drive the thoughts/needs of commercial buyers for
design/research, etc.
· I was surprised by just how much energy is being pored into 3D technology. I didn't
expect the level of investment I saw by some companies this early on.
To review the full agenda, participating companies, exhibitors and supporting sponsors, please visit www.3DBizEx.com. Proceedings from the event will be offered for sale later this week.
Dian Mecca, Insight Media, 203-831-8464, dian@insightmedia.info
Heidi Hoffman, FlexTech Alliance, 408-993-8111, heidi@usdc.org
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