Panasonic proposes universal 3D standard

Panasonic is set to push a new universal standard for 3D viewing, according to Advanced Television.

The company has teamed up with active shutter glasses specialists Xpand3D to create the M-3DI standard, which would be used across cinemas, TV , computers and home TV projectors.

The proposal has support from Changhong, Funai, Hisense, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Seiko Epson, SIM2 Multimedia and ViewSonic, though Sony and Samsung are missing from the list.

Panasonic hopes the standard will be used in a bid to speed up the adoption of in-home 3DTV. The M-3DI technology is due to be licensed in April.

However, critics still argue that 3D take-up will be limited because of the need to wear dark glasses, regardless of creating a common standard. Autostereoscopic displays have also come under fire for only being practical for single viewing (as you need to be directly in front of the TV to get the 3D effect).

What is certain is that the ‘blinking device’ is unlikely to be a part of Panasonic’s standard.