The Need for 3D

Many industry observers have wondered whether we need 3D for newscasts, sitcoms, and other ordinary stuff, I would counter that a few years ago lots of people thought they didn't need social networking. At sonic point, I suspect, 3D media will become as natural to us as 2D videos and stills are today. In the immediate future, it will be limited to big-ticket entertainment events. Over time, though, consumers will expect the same level of realism and depth in all of their images – and technology will catch up to deliver that depth, effectively and affordably.

Consider the example of last year's U2 3D. This is no MTV video – it's an elaborate production that shows Bono and his band in three-dimensional glory, and it's one of many movies that have made a compelling case for capturing concert performancein 3D. Now imagine that you're in a stadium, watching Bono, who seems to be miles away from your seat in the nosebleed section. You're resigned to viewing the overhead screen – but instead of showing you a flat projection, the 3D screen lets you experience the performance with dimensionality. It could happen; Sony has already demonstrated the ability to capture and produce 3D video in real time.

That 3D future isn't quite here yet. The technology has to get to a point where users don't need awkward eyewear keyed to a specific TV. But when that future does come, 3D will be the new normal, and everything else will seem like your grandmother's faded black-and-white photos.

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