3DTV facing possible lack of active use in UK

by Steven Mostyn - Jun 24 2011, 13:25

While we here at Tech Herald Towers know all too well that there’s little point fighting the future where 3D is concerned, it would appear the latest form of in-home entertainment is facing an uphill climb in the United Kingdom.

Moreover, a new study by Informa Media & Telecoms has suggested that around 11 million homes across the country are likely to have 3D-capable televisions by 2016, which is certainly a healthy uptake.

However, things don’t look quite so rosy upon noting that the research also outlines that only 46 percent of those duly equipped homes will utilize the extra dimensional advantages of 3DTV on a regular basis.

“We do not share the view that 3D represents the obvious next evolutionary step for TV, in the same way that colour followed black and white or HD is following SD,” outlined the report.

“A case can be made that colour and HD offer noticeable enhancements to the technologies that preceded them,” it added. “But 3D TV is less of an enhancement and rather more of a new type of viewing experience—one that many people will enjoy, but is some way from becoming ubiquitous.”

According to Informa, set manufacturers will still likely ignore any potential lack of traction with consumers and will continue pushing 3D technology through their products—but mainly because that they don’t wish to lose ground against competitors.

“Irrespective of existing public demand for 3D, major set manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Panasonic, et al) increasingly see 3D capability as a feature that they must include in their sets, or the perception will be that rival manufacturers are producing a technically-superior product (with 3D included),” commented Informa senior analyst Adam Thomas.

In 2010, some 90 percent of homes equipped with 3DTV sets were deemed to be ‘active users’. However, Informa puts that high figure down to the flock of early adopters that traditionally rush to meet new consumer technology.

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