3D – VEFXI the Oregon-based 3D technology company is changing direction to address the 3D entertainment market. So far the developer of 2D to 3D conversion software has been focused on aftermarket boxes aimed at the consumer market. In the current market for home entertainment, 3D TV sets are not exactly a marketing highlight, however many of the high end models including 4K / UHD TVs are actually 3D capable which means that they support 3D with the use of 3D glasses.
VEFXI is looking at autostereoscopic (AS) TVs that have not made it into the mass market yet as the next potential market for its 2D to 3D conversion technology. Since glasses are often seen as the barrier that prevented 3D from taking over the home entertainment market, autostereoscopic TVs should solve this issue. No glasses should make for happier consumers that will gladly use this technology in their homes – at least, that’s the theory. Autostereoscopic displays reduce the resolution because they have to create images with more than one perspective. Therefore, by starting with more pixels 4K / UHD display panels can create better 3D imagery.
While there is still an issue with limited content for 3D viewing, VEFXI thinks that its 2D to 3D technology can bridge this gap and allow for unlimited 3D viewing on autostereoscopic TVs using UltraHD panels. Several companies have shown prototypes of these 4K AS3D TVs.
VEFXI has been working on 2D to 3D conversion for quite some time and aims to capitalize on its technology by creating ASIC-based solutions to implement these conversion algorithms. Instead of selling a conversion box to the consumer, the firm aims to sell chips to the TV set makers.
Display Central Comment
While this all makes some sense seen from VEFXI’s side, it is not clear how successful AS3D TVs will be in the market. So far the opinions of market analysts range from excitement to disbelief. 3D TV was not a success and using a 4K panel to create an autostereoscopic display may sacrifice some of the superior image quality of the 4K panel. This is a questionable strategy to say the least. – Norbert Hildebrand
