3dTheater
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AMC adding upwards of 1,500 3D screens in North America
Remember when seeing a movie was simple? You just strolled in, paid one low price for a ticket, and you saw the flick. No worrying over which theaters had 4K projectors, which had DTS sound or which had 3D support. As cinemas across the nation continue to leap on the three-dee bandwagon, RealD and AMC Entertainment has just linked up in order to bring up to 1,500 3D screens across Canada and the US. We're told that the rollout is already underway, with more and more screens getting equipped each month. All told, this will bring RealD's 3D network to nearly 8,000 total committed screens worldwide with approximately 2,600 RealD 3D screens installed today. Excited? No?
Sony and RealD link up for 4K 3D cinema, our eyes weep for joy
Whoa, Nelly. This is getting serious. As 3D looks to infest each and every cinema it can, Sony has just inked a potentially ginormous agreement with 3D guru RealD that will provide "3D digital cinema systems that combine a single Sony 4K projector and its new 3D dual lens adapter with RealD technology." In other words, you could soon be seeing 3D cinema through a 4K projector, which just might lead to your head exploding from visual overload. The agreement makes mention of a "specially designed optical filter tuned for the projector, resulting in the ability to deliver crisp 3D images to screens up to 55 feet in width." Also, the relationship makes it possible for existing 2D installations to be upgraded with 3D capabilities, and honestly, even we're excited about 2K of 3D resolution per eye.
CEA study finds interest growing in 3D
Believe it or not, marketing goes a long way. According to a new joint study conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Entertainment and Technology Center at the University of Southern California, interest in 3D (at least in America) is on the rise. The research found that within the past 12 months, nearly 41 million US adults have reported seeing a 3D movie in theaters, and of those, around 40 percent admitted that they'd prefer to watch a movie in 3D versus 2D. We're struggling to determine whether to focus on the fact that over half would actually prefer the 2D version, or whether it's a good thing that the pro-3D crowd is as high as 40 percent. At any rate, the study also found that 16 percent of consumers are interested in watching 3D movies or TV shows within their home, while 14 percent are interested in playing 3D video games. Ready for the most amazing statistic? Over half of those polled said that having to wear special glasses or hold their heads still while watching a 3D TV program would have "no impact on them purchasing a 3D set for their home." Hmm.[Image courtesy of TheAge]
Cinedigm, Sony link up to bring 3D HD to 10,000 cinema projectors
For those of you that enjoyed the NBA All-Star circus in 3D this weekend, you'll soon be able to indulge in similar events in far more places. Cinedigm has announced today a partnership with Sony Pictures Releasing Corporation that will bring Live 3D HD capabilities to upwards of 10,000 digital cinema projection system across the US. Make no mistake -- companies can force consumers to pay attention if enough money and marketing is poured into something, and we get the feeling that these 3D events in cinemas aren't going away anytime soon. In fact, Cinedigm ultimately hopes to showcase spectacles such as the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games via its 3D HD technology, and with support like this, we don't see any reason why it won't be able to.
Cuban invests in Carmike Cinemas, clearly expects 3D sporting events to thrive
Mark Cuban may be up and down on the future of internet video, but he's evidently quite confident in the future of 3D cinema -- or 3D sporting events in cinemas, at least. The internet / media / basketball tycoon has put his money where his mouth is by acquiring a 9.4% stake in Carmike Cinemas. Only Cuban himself fully understands the nearly $3 million investment, but he was quoted as saying that he is "trying to expand" the live 3D broadcast-to-a-theater business. Looking back over the course of 2008, we're astounded at the amount of traction that 3D has gained, and while many may assume that live 3D sporting events in cinemas is nothing more than a gimmick, we guess we can't possibly be surprised if it ends up taking off.
