Sony is expected to develop 3D HDTVs along with its own custom platform so that 3D movies can be distributed directly into the living room, a report has stated.
Sony CEO Howard Stringer outlined the company's plans during the IFA electronics conference in Germany. In addition, Stringer reportedly announced Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, Vaio PCs and Blu-ray players will be compatible with the new 3D platform.
"As with high-definition a few years back, there are a variety of issues yet to be addressed," Stringer said, according to FT sources who spoke with the CEO, "But the 3D train is on the track, and we at Sony are ready to drive it home."
The Bravia LCD TV, which will be the company's first 3D-compatible model, will be available sometime in 2010.
"3D is clearly on its way to the mass market," Stringer said during the press conference.
I'm glad more companies are showing interest in 3D, but this only furthers the idea that each company needs to collaborate together to create standards for the growing industry. In fact, Peter Lude, Sony senior VP for systems engineering, who said it would be a couple of years before 3DTVs for Sony, said a format war would greatly hurt the industry.
"We'd sure hate to see that ... It's costly and slows everything down."
It will be interesting to see if Sony, with company officials and engineers saying 3D is on the way, will be at the forefront when it comes to creating 3D standards. Panasonic, NEC and several other major companies also are developing 3D, so it's important for representatives from each company to begin communicating with one another.
