i-Station of KDC Corporation has developed Zeta3, the world's first 3D tablet. Zeta3 will be displayed at a G20 exhibition in November and will be shown to the leaders of G20 to boost Korea's image in 3D technology.
Zeta3 succeeded in drawing attention worldwide after it was introduced to the world audience earlier through broadcasters in Germany and Japan. Zeta3's Android-based operating system is highly 'open' and optimized to suit the mobile internet. A 7-inch capacitive touch screen is mounted with a polarized 3D panel for viewing 3D movies. Zeta3 is highly advantageous to utilize contents as it is possible to switch 2D to 3D. It is expected that since Zeta3 is portable and easily accessible, it will allow users to gather stacks of information and further enliven two-way communication.
The effects of the 3D tablet on learning would be immense and when used as a medical tool, it enables a user to have a vivid experience during an anatomy class. In the field of construction, it will be possible to put a complex floor plan into a virtual 3D blueprint, thus bringing a revolution to everyday life.
Behind the scenes of the life-changing revolution that is taking place through 3D technology is the KDC Group, a leading company in 3D technology in Korea.
It was in 2004 when Kim Tae-Sub, chairman of KDC Group, first became interested in 3D technology after reading about the future trends of the imaging industry. In 2005, Kim became convinced that the growth potential of 3D imaging is limitless after he learned about the 3D revolution in Hollywood during a broadcast imaging exhibition and the ShoWest in Las Vegas in 2005.
"The evolutionary process of imaging started from silent movies in the early days to the black and white and then to the color and HD imaging, finally reaching the ultra HD which is said to be four times clearer than the full HD. In a similar manner, industrial development, which has reached today's knowledge-based information society after having gone through the industrial society from the agricultural one, is now entering High-Touch Society where human senses are ultimately solicited. In the field of imaging, however, the current competition for higher definition is meaningless since the difference between today's high definitions cannot be noticed by the naked eye. "Therefore, I am confident," said Kim Tae-Sub, "that the imaging industry will eventually move toward 3D as it conveys realistic images."
Aided by the continuous investment made over the years based on his foresightedness and conviction, KDC Corp. today possesses 3D technologies in various fields. The 3D-related revenue, too, has surged from 500 million won in 2007 to 2 billion won in 2008 and then to 23 billion won in 2009. In 2010, KDC Group has grown to become a leader in 3D technology with its total revenue for this year expected to reach 100 billion won.
Noting that 3D gadgets are being developed alongside 3D contents and the media industry, as can be seen in the mobile phones that are used for sending text messages, checking out e-mails and watching the TV, Chairman Kim stressed that what the company does from here onward is what counts. He said that in the case of Zeta3, in particular, the gadget was able to see the light only now due to the lack of 3D contents even though its development was already completed two years ago. What this means, he said, is that it is important that the demand for 3D gadgets grows along with the development of various 3D contents.
The 3D market can be categorized into two periods before and after the movie 'Avatar' as its effect on the industry was enormous. The volume of 3D contents increased twofold every year from a previous year since when the movie hit theaters, bringing with it a vibrant 3D market. The application of 3D contents is also taking place vigorously in such industry sectors as film making, TV broadcasting, and mobile communication and this trend is expected to expand to all industry sectors such as construction, healthcare, education, national defense, and entertainment, changing our life so much that it can easily be interpreted as a revolution.
Pointing out that hundreds and thousands of new markets will be created in the not too distant future, Chairman Kim predicted that the UCC (user created content) market will grow exponentially when all the current input devices are switched to binoculars from monoculars. Even today on YouTube, there is a 3D contents category that compiles 3D contents only.
Expanded supply of 3D imaging systems and mass production of related contents are key tasks that have to be accomplished if the 3D industry is to grow, points out Kim.
With a determination to become an undisputed leader in the domestic 3D business, KDC is enthusiastic about promoting 3D contents. Recently, Real Scope, an affiliate of KDC, produced a 3D video that shows live performances of Super Junior, a popular Korean boy group, for fans who cannot attend and watch a live performance. Besides the performances, Kim Jong Hak, producer of the Korean drama 'Hourglass', is known to have agreed to produce a 3D version in cooperation with KDC.
All these attempts are focused on developing domestic 3D contents to protect the domestic industry from the massive capital of Hollywood. It is hoped that Korea's 3D contents industry can grow rapidly by showing interest and making the most of Korea's strength in adapting quickly to new technology trends.
The KDC group has led Korea's 3D industry and it is far from stopping the attempt to make technological advancement. To achieve this, the company has set a plan to raise its competitive edge by placing its affiliated companies into a vertical management system for 3D business from low-end to high-end products including 3D chips, 3D contents and 3D devices. "In the future," said Kim Tae-Sub, "we will focus all our energy on the 3D imaging and contents industry so that we can be at the forefront of integrating 3D business."
