- 3D television
3D television employs some form of
stereoscopy and a special viewing device to project atelevision program into a realistic three-dimensional field.The occasional 3D
episode became moderately popular in the late 1990s when several shows used the technique to attract viewers and increase ratings.Technologies
The
Pulfrich effect has been used byDoctor Who forDimensions in Time in 1993, by3rd Rock From The Sun in 1997, and by theDiscovery Channel 'sShark Week in 2000, among others.Free viewpoint television can synthesize a 3D (or 2D) picture from a viewer-controlled perspective.Standardization efforts
The
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has a 3-D Home Display Formats Task Force.Broadcasts
As of 2008, 3D programming is broadcast on Japanese cable channel BS 11 approximately four times per day. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/biztech/06/19/hyundaitv.ap/index.html]
3D episodes
There have been several notable examples in television where 3D episodes have been produced, typically as one hour specials or special events. Perhaps the best example of groundbreaking 3D production on television was the sitcom "
3rd Rock From The Sun ", which peaked in international popularity when it produced thetwo-part episode ,Nightmare On Dick Street , where several of the characters' dreams are shown in 3D. The episode cued its viewers to put on their 3D glasses by including "3D on" and "3D off" icons in the corner of the screen as a way to alert them as to when the 3D sequences would start and finish. The episode is considered by some to be the show'smagnum opus as it combined clever uses of metaphor with the character comedy and light moments of drama. It perhaps remains one of the show's most popular and memorable episodes.The most recent use of 3D in television was on the drama "
Medium (TV Series) ".External links
* [http://www.rollanet.org/~vbeydler/van/3dreview/index.htm 3-D Review Online Magazine] 3-D products and services are reviewed monthly.
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