One of the concerns with 3DTV in Australia is actually getting the content onto your expensive new television. It's not enough to just watch a handful of animated Blu-ray films and Avatar over and over again, is it? You need a 3D broadcast channel, which is something the free-to-air networks aren't going to offer any time soon. Fortunately, it looks like Foxtel is coming to the rescue (for people who want 3D in their homes).
We contacted Foxtel to get an official statement on their position on 3DTV, and actually received a really informative response from Foxtel CEO Kim Williams:
“FOXTEL has been closely monitoring 3D developments since January of 2009 and has an active program for 3D broadcasting in its Engineering Development Labs,” said FOXTEL CEO Kim Williams. “3D is an exciting development in broadcasting and FOXTEL HD set top units have already carried 3D signals in our premises with terrific picture clarity. FOXTEL will continue to run laboratory trials on 3D transmissions over the next year,” Mr Williams said.
Commenting on timing for 3D release Mr Williams said, “I expect that FOXTEL will bring its first test broadcasts in 3D to subscribers in 2011 when full product details will be revealed. It will be an exciting addition to our range of high quality HD products which now encompasses the most comprehensive offering in Australia with 15 twenty-four hour HD channels (including all mainstream sport and movie channels) and which will see the first all HD transmission of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games via four HD Channels in February – an exceptionally exciting Australian and world first for any Olympic broadcast.“
So once you take out that marketing bit at the end, you get left with something that essentially says: "Yes, we're looking closely at 3D and I reckon we'll launch test broadcasts next year".
I bet the Aussie arms of the TV manufacturers pushing 3D internationally wish it was a bit sooner, but at least it's something, right?
