Singapore to Begin 3-D TV Trials

SINGAPORE: As BroadcastAsia kicked off in Singapore today, the country’s Media Development Authority (MDA) announced plans for a 3-D television trial across multiple platforms.

The one-year trial began today on terrestrial TV, cable TV and IPTV, in partnership with MediaCorp, Starhub and SingTel, with the 3-D recording of the National Day Parade. The technology partners on board are Panasonic, Ross Video, Evertz, XpanD and Multimedia Maestro. The initiative will allow the broadcast partners to test their transmission signals, address the challenges of delivering 3D content to homes and explore business models. If they choose to do so, the partners can extend the trial to consumers. The MDA is also launching a S$5 million fund to facilitate the trial and drive the development of 3-D content, talent and media services in the area of 3-D.

Dr Christopher Chia, CEO of the MDA, commented: “The success of 3-D movies and advances in digital technology has sparked strong interest in 3-D developments worldwide. Our strategy has been to boost the development of stereoscopic 3-D content, applications and services and build an industry of 3-D production experts to meet future demand. Today, Singapore is one of the first territories in the world with one-stop, end-to-end production and post-production capabilities in theatrical stereoscopic 3-D. With the 3-D TV trial laying the groundwork to bring 3-D experience to homes, Singapore is once again harnessing the latest digital technology to develop and deploy cutting-edge media services.”