3-D TV yet to hit prime time

Some Korean consumers are buying 3-D TVs amid World Cup frenzy, but most have disappointed to learn that they are not able to see the soccer matches in 3-D.

The 3-D broadcast service is not available to cable subscribers, which amount to 80 percent of the country’s households. This is because SBS, a terrestrial network which has the exclusive right to broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Korea, does not allow cable operators to retransmit 3-D broadcasts. 

Korea has touted itself as the world’s first to launch trial 3-D broadcasts via terrestrial networks with the 2010 Colorful Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting on May 19. Korea is also one of the four countries which is broadcasting the World Cup in 3-D, which runs until July 11. 

Riding the 3-D broadcasting boom in Korea, Samsung Electronics and LGElectronics seek to jumpstart 3-D TV sales on their home turf. 

However, a limited availability of 3-D broadcasting, along with a poor 3-D image, could serve as setbacks to sales of much-hyped 3-D TV here.

The coverage of Korea’s 3-D broadcasting service will be expanded in October when the country looks to begin a pilot service for 3-D terrestrial broadcasting in HD image quality. However, the lack of 3-D content, the inconvenience of wearing glasses and the costs of enjoying 3-D in the living room remain major stumbling blocks. 

“We are getting a lot of inquiries from 3-D TV buyers about why they cannot see the World Cup in 3-D,” said Lee Joo-shik, a director general of the Korea Communications Commission. 

“There are also many issues regarding 3-D image quality. We should improve 3-D image quality to reduce tiredness and dizziness,” he said.