Sony shows off 3D TV technology

Broadcasters hope that the time has come for 3D television

Sony has shown off a new single-lens camera able to capture 3D images.

The majority of existing 3D set-ups use two-camera systems to record images tailored specifically for the left and right eye of the viewer.

The new camera takes a single image that is split by mirrors and recorded on two sensors, resulting in a "smoother" picture, according to Sony.

The prototype camera will be unveiled at next week's Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo, Japan.

Viewers will be able to watch the 3D images using special polarised glasses. Without them, they will just see normal 2D television, according to the firm.

The firm said the camera, which is able to capture images very quickly, is especially suited to sporting events.

Long shot

The new camera is one of a number of developments being put forward by the firm, which hopes that 3D TV is about to take off.

This week, the firm also opened the doors to its European research labs to show off a different 3D camera technology for recording football games.

Broadcasters are focusing efforts on 3D sporting events

The technology uses three fixed cameras to record the entire football pitch. The images can them be mapped and, using software, create a 3D view.

"Each camera films a third of the pitch," explained John Stone, general manager of research and development at Sony Professional.

"Because those cameras are set up at the same focal point, they can be stitched together.

"And because we have the depth information for every shot we can a synthesise a 3D impression be effectively positioning the pixel to different depth positions in the 3D composition."

Mr Stone stressed that while the technology to display images in 3D was in place, it would be some time before it would be common place.

"I'm not sure we're quite at the stage now where we're going to have 3D Match of the Day," said Mr Stone. "But i'm hoping that there's going to be live events televised in 3D from 2010, and that can be edited down into shorter 3D highlights."

Sporting chance

There have been a number of forays into the 3D market, pioneered by the film industry.

In 1953 The House of Wax became the first commercial 3D movie. However, the early technology caused unsteady images that induced nausea.

A second attempt was made in the 1970s, using stereoscopic images that required users to wear red and green glasses; while the image was steady there was considerable loss of colour quality and it also failed to take off.