If your one of those early adopters of a 3DTV you’ll be more than excited to hear that Sky have finally announced that 3D content drought will end on October 1st.

If you have a 3D TV, and a Sky+HD box and  the top channel subscription package you willl be able to enjoy the new 3D-only channel at no extra cost – obviously you’ll have to splash the cash on the TV but apart from that you are good to go.

The channel will offer a range of programme types, from sport to hollywood movies. The inital line-up include coverage of both the forthcoming Ryder Cup golf tournament and Premier League football – so you’ll be about to watch Blackpool in full 3D quality.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, said:  “As with High Definition, 3D is set to transform the way TV is enjoyed in homes nationwide.   Following hot on the heels of the success of 3D cinema, Sky customers will now be the first anywhere in Europe to experience 3D TV from the comfort of their living rooms.  They can look forward to a fantastic mix of live sport, blockbuster movies, and innovative entertainment and arts shows.”

This will come as a welcome relief to the companies who are pushing 3D as there hasn’t been any 3D content since the whole 3D revolution a few months ago. Finally you won’t have to suffer too much longer.

Via TechDigest

Sky’s 3D Channel Gets Launch Date of October 1st is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

It always feels strange covering 3D television news and envisaging a future family home where everyone’s sat around wearing 3D glasses, watching the latest film on their 3D TV with built in blu-ray. There’s still a lot of us who haven’t even jumped to the HD ship yet.

Cheaper HD television sets and more choice in HD channels is increasing the number of ‘HD users’ but the transition from standard to high definition is still slow.

Us in the UK probably feel we can’t get the most out of HD television without Sky HD. But an official statement from BBC announced that all TV shows will be delivered to all HDTV’s in their optimum high definition quality by April of 2011.

Full HDBBC was supposed to be happening around this time (i.e. right now) but it has been delayed up until next Easter because the producers of EastEnders claim that in order ‘to properly make the transition they need a major touch up of all the sets so they don’t look ridiculous as the detail is improved’ and the other excuses aren’t worth a mention.

Delayed or not its good news and alongside other exisiting terrestrial HD channels; ITV HD, Channel 4 HD and Five HD (available with Sky, virgin, or free view HD), there’s never been a better time to leave standard definition behind.

So will BBC’s move to HD encourage you to move the same way?

Source: Zath

BBC to go HD by April 2011 is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Today Panasonic made a great push to make 3D more mainstream in Japan, with the release of the RT2B series plasma TVs which can record TV programs onto their built-in hard discs or Blu-ray drives, and are the first ‘all-in-ones’ that can play Blu-ray movies in 3D as well.

The plasmas are Available in 42- and 46-inch versions but they are unlikely to spread to America or Europe (although we are likely to be seeing a spurt of all-in-one televisions once 3D TV starts the jump in popularity which is expected.)

The new active shutter 3D glasses which will be released alongside the televisions are however likely to become a worldwide product. Rather than the traditional ‘one size fits all’ glasses these are available in different sizes to cater for the whole family. Another change is the traditional ‘watch battery’ used to power the glasses has been replaced by a sealed in battery rechargeable by USB. Impressively, two hours charging via USB should equal 30 hours of watching.

Plus Panasonic are claiming that the small kid-sized version of the glasses are the lightest around. The specs on the glasses are impressive and the light weight and USB charging are great features that will no doubt become standard features in 3D glasses. If we have to be burdened with glasses to watch 3D then we want comfortable, reliable glasses that aren’t going to run out of charge half way through a film, so Panasonic are heading in the right direction but there’s more to be done.

And at ¥13,000 ($149) Outfitting a family for 3D is still an eye-wateringly expensive proposition.

Have you got 3D television at home yet or have you just gotten used to HD?

Source: engadget

Panasonic announce 3D glasses and ‘all-in-one’ plasma televisions is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

FM will be soon assigned to the technology scrap heap forcing radio listeners to purchase digital radios or listen online despite complaints that FM is more reliable than DAB. The rumour is that the UK Culture Minister is about to confirm that the Government will go ahead with the digital switchover.

A target set by Labour set for 2015 is going to stay making 100 million existing analogue radios and their FM signals obsolete plus around 30 million car radios to be converted or replaced in five years time.

DAB hasn’t proved as popular as expected with reception in many areas is very poor and problems receiving digital radio on portable devices. There are currently still gadgets hitting the market with FM radio capability such as the HTC Desire smartphone and iPhone/iPod apps.

There are even talks of better quality DABplus but this would make both FM and DAB obsolete forcing those who have shelled out on digital radio to shell out again for digital plus.

However, in Canada and the US a new alternative to radio is proving to be extremely popular. Sirius Satellite radio (a subscription service) provides more than 130 channels of music, sport, news and entertainment channels uncensored and commercial free. The system is high quality and can be listened to on iPhones and Blackberrys through apps as well as on traditional radios and in-car systems.

Sirius have no plans to launch in the UK at the moment but hopefully we will see something similar before the digital switchover starts to take hold.

FM Radio to Vanish by 2015: You Ready for the Digital Switchover? is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

I’m sure all people old and young will be excited for the release of Toy Story 3, it’s probably one of the most successful children’s film franchises of all time and after major developments in 3D technology it will be used to flaunt the latest cinema experience.

Unofficially called ‘Sony 4K’, the projector uses two projection lenses to display dual images and developers say they can offer screen picture quality four times as rich as that seen in standard digital cinemas. The 4K also means less strain on the eyes of cinema goers.

An audience at Piccadilly Circus multiplex (which is entirely fitted out with 4K) enjoyed Toy Story 3 in the best picture technology can currently offer but of course all talk was on Woody and Buzz. Never mind Sony, 4K technology has already won supporters including Peter Jackson, Ridley Scott and Tim Burton who are all adopting the format for their current work.

And with support like that, we’ll probably be seeing a lot more of this projector in the near future.

Via. SKY NEWS

‘Sony 4K’ Projector: A Peek into the Future of Cinema is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Around the time of CES there was a huge buzz surrounding 3D with Avatar making millions in screenings around the world and 3D TVs popping up everywhere (even in pubs.) Things in the 3D world have been a bit quiet in recent months but now it’s firmly backagain confirming that 3D really is the focus of 2010 and the future of the gadget world.

Toy Story 3 promises to be the biggest film of the year and Nintendo are working on 3DS

But UK charity, The Eyecare Trust, has revealed that 10 – 12 per cent of Brits will have trouble viewing 3D video content. Over 6 million of us Brits have an issue with binocular vision, thus rendering 3D movies, games and TV is pointless for them.

This is not a problem specific to the UK either, the chairman of the charity said and you’ll find a similar percentage worldwide. Now imagine 12% of China, that’s a lot of 3D blindness and a multi-million pound loss for the 3D industry.

And to make things worse not only can you not see the image, if you are ‘3D blind’ this can  cause headaches, eye-strain and blurred vision. According to Eye care trust, even something as simple as a “lazy eye” can ruin the 3D experience and there are many visual impairments that can affect how 3D is seen.

So before you spend all your money on a 3D TV maybe you should try it out in the shop first.

Source: Pocket Lint

Over 6 Million Brits are ’3D Blind’ is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

French computer game publisher and creator Ubisoft have waded into the 3DTV debate this week as they have stated that they feel that the new uber expensive tech will become mainstream in under 3 years.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Ubisoft’s marketing man Murray Pannell compared that current uptake to what happened when High Definition TV’s first came out.

The adoption of 3DTV “will start slowly,” he said. “But like HDTV, I wouldn’t rule out the fact that this will be installed in everyone’s living room in three years’ time”.

The big three in the gaming world have completely different views with regards to the expensive tech – Sony are were the first to take the first step in the 3D world – and have recently added 3D connectivity for their Playstation 3 .

Nintendo on the other hand have created the 3D tech but without the need of those ugly 3D glasses. And Microsoft haven’t even mentioned any future plans regarding 3DTV’s for their 360.

Pannell added: ”For the naysayers, if you like, I would say, ‘Just watch this space’, because when you have global corporations like Sony pushing 3D as hard as they possibly can, Sky, equally, showcasing 3D content on TV, I believe it will become a much more important part of consumer electronics than a lot of people believe.”

We think 3D will have a part to play in the future of gaming, but it’s going to take a lot longer than 3 years for it to truly penetrate the market the way HDTV’s have over the last few years.

Via Eurogamer

3DTV’s Will be Mainstream by 2013 According to UbiSoft is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Sony are going to be the first of the current console generation to go 3D.  Although we caught a look of the PS3 running 3D games at the Gadget Show a couple of months ago, they have now announced that the software update will be available June 10th in Japan.

The opening 3D salvos will come via Wipeout HD, Super Stardust and Pain. According to Sony, the Sony Wipeout 3D will be free, but you will have to pay $3.30 for Startdust. No PAL or North American details have emerged just yet but details should follow soon and is likely to feature the same games apart from Stardust which will be replaced with the intense racer Motor Storm on our shores.

In order to get your PlayStation 3D you’ll have to fork out on a new TV and a couple of Polarised 3D glasses, which should set you back a cool thousand pounds.

What do you think of the PS3 3D?  Would you pay a few thousands pounds to enjoy some PlayStation 3D gaming?  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think…

PS3 3D Launch Date Expected for June 10th is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

With Avatar’s prolific success on the big screen, there has been a lot of rumours regarding the Avatar 3D launch. The most recent of the speculation is the announcement that the Avatar 3D Blu-ray will be bundled exclusively with Panasonic 3DTVs.

According to a published report and confirmed from an industry source, the box office record breaking movie will not only be marrying up with Panasonic 3DTVs but also it has been pointed out that the launch date of the Blu-ray disc could be as early as August/September although previous rumours did suggest that it might be early 2011.

Via HD Guru

Avatar 3D Blu-Ray: Launch in August and Bundled with Panasonic 3DTVs? is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

With the World Cup less than 4-weeks away we thought we would give you a heads-up on how and where you might be able to enjoy the South African World Cup in full 3D glory for the first time.

Skysports have been at the forefront of the 3D revolution recently with their 3D Pubs, but unfortunately Sky have been unable to get the rights for the World Cup – so if you live in the UK you might want to hold-off buying a new 3D TV as you won’t be able to get a 3D signal. So Sky are out of the picture (no pun intended.)

If you are lucky enough to live in the USA (ESPN), Spain (Sogecable) or South Korea (SBS) you’ll be able to grab all the live action from the comfort of your own home provided you have the right kit.

But all is not lost as their will be 50 cinemas throughout the UK which will be showing the matches in 3D – you may want to contact your local cinema to see if your one of the lucky ones. According to Sony and FIFA their will be 800 cinemas world wide showing the World Cup in 3D.

If your really desperate to watch the first ever World Cup in 3D you could plan a holiday to one of the lucky countries or you could could save the money you were going to use on a new 3D TV and go to South Africa and watch it in the best version of 3D – real life.

The list of 3D World Cup matches being shown along with the dates are as follows:

June
11 South Africa v Mexico
12 Argentina v Nigeria
13 Gemany v Australia
14 Netherlands v Denmark
15 Brazil v Korea DPR
16 Spain v Switzerland
17 Argentina v Korea Republic
18 Slovenia v USA
19 Netherlands v Japan
20 Brazil v Ivory Coast
21 Spain v Honduras
Nigeria v Korea Republic
23 Ghana v Germany
24 Slovakia v Italy
25 Portugal v Brazil
27 Winner group B v Runner-up group A
28 Winner group E v Runner-up group F
28 Winner group G v Runner-up group H

July
2 Quarter-final
3 Quarter-final
3 Quarter-final
6 Semi-final
7 Semi-final
10 3rd place play-off
11 Final

As you can probably see no England matches are due to be covered in the early stages. We should get to the quarter finals before getting knocked out so at least they’ll be a brief but tasteful glimpse of three lions in 3D.

Gaj-it Guide to a 3D World Cup is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com