• TECHNOLOGY
• SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

New Set-Top Box Promises To Bring 3D to Television

By SARAH MCBRIDE

3D technology is coming one step closer to home with the development of a new set-top box system that will allow consumers to browse through and access 3D offerings from their cable or satellite TV company.

The prototype, developed by digital content security company Nagravision SA, based in Cheseaux, Switzerland, and 3D company 3ality Digital LLC, Burbank, Calif., will be shown at the 3D Entertainment Summit this week in Los Angeles. It's called the Nagra Media Guide for 3D.

Although no cable company has yet committed to the set-top technology, the prototype offers a window into the evolution of 3D home technology, which is getting much closer to what is available in movie theaters. Consumers will be able to access 3D programming using today's set-top boxes, but the Nagra Media version will show the information using 3D graphics.

Television companies have raced to develop TVs that are 3D compatible, and a handful of such televisions have been sold in the U.S. But they are mostly used for games, says David Naranjo, director of product development for Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America.

The problem is that there is a dearth of 3D programming on television. The creators of the prototype hope advances like their set-top box will help prompt producers to create 3D programming. Earlier this year, NBC aired an episode of "Chuck" in 3D, available on analog TVs, but requiring special anaglyph glasses.

The 3D televisions rolling out now mostly require glasses, but they are a step up from anaglyph versions and provide crisper and more realistic pictures.