Arqiva plans terrestrial 3D tests

Arqiva plans terrestrial 3D tests

UK transmission company Arqiva is working on a terrestrial 3D test using the Service Compatible format favoured by public service broadcasters. Initial transmissions would be conducted outside of London to a closed user group. Arqiva has confirmed to Broadband TV News that following a series of internal tests, it was currently seeking rights clearance for some selected 3D content, though an initial licence application was already with Ofcom.

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WWW.BROADBANDTVNEWS.COM/2010

I'm sure once everyone has bought a HD set they'll close all the HD channels to make way for a 3D channel! There just isn't room on DTT for such a service - and if any company should want to launch one, they should have to buy the spectrum space for it.

Interesting - a few other countries are trialling DTT 3D AIUI.

... read the article they are 'considering' the Digital Dividend, and as such using 'new' bandwidth.

How much extra bandwidth does 3D require? Less than 2x, I'd have thought... and does 3D automatically mean HD, or is anyone even considering SD 3D broadcasts?

David

Sky are using "side by side" in HD - which isn't compatible with 2D displays and sends the left and right eye views with 50% of the horizontal resolution, squashed into a single HD frame. They're doing this as it is entirely compatible with their existing HD receivers and they've got the bandwith to spare.

I think the Arqiva tests are using the system where one eye view is sent as a standard H264 HD signal, and the second eye feed is sent using a "difference" signal which takes up about half as much space?

Do we really need 3D channels on DTT? On a platform with such limited spectrum, it'd be hugely wasteful - there'd only be room for one channel at best. I may be wrong but I don't see 3D television being more than a gimmick-du-jour, especially if you have to put glasses on to watch it. It'd be better use of future available space to launch more HD channels from the big names.

I think you have to draw a line somewhere, you're never going to be able to squeeze every new feature onto Freeview, and how many times will people happily buy ANOTHER set top box? From itv digital to Freeview, to Freeview+, to FreeviewHD, to Freeview+HD, to Canvas, to Freeview+HD+3D...

I think it's acceptable to say "if you want to watch 3D transmissions, you're going to need Freesat, Sky or Cable" - DTT isn't the platform for it, nor was it the right place for on demand like 'on request' or e-mail. Of course if the 3D signal came down the broadband lines on a Canvas box, it'd be a different matter.

If it was the case that everybody was watching HD and HD was as standard for all TV's and for all transmissions, then I could understand the progression to 3D, but considering the expense of 3D TV and the transmissions, and the fact there's only one 3D channel available at the moment (only to Pubs might I add) then I could see it being a fad, a bit much like Interactive TV/Internet TV phase the Broadcasters were trying to phase through about ten years ago.

I'd like to see 3D succeed personally, but I think the glasses would put a lot of people off, even for now it will probably only be used for Football and big Hollywood Movies.