In Korea, 3D technology and content-producing are in the stage of toddler in terms of the 3D film production. Movie-goers still face a challenge by wearing glasses for a more expensive film to only to see a small amount of effects throughout the movie. How ironic to call these films 3D Most viewers are confused about when not to wear the glasses during the movie. Some people put on their glasses for the entire movie in hope of not losing even a second worth of 3D effects. If it costs too much to film the entire movie in 3D, can we at least lose the glasses and still enjoy the 3D effects of the movie KDC's Advanced Technology Lab suggests a few words for a solution: 15 degrees and Back Light Unit.
Kim Tae-sub, Chairman of Korea Real 3D Contents Product Association and Chairman of KDC Group, the nation's leading corporation for 3D equipment manufacturing and systems, said that the 3D industry would see a different world from what it is now. Chairman Kim analyzed that the technology was turning its course from "glasses" to "glasses-free." Doubts can be raised in terms of the traditional concept on 3D. The glasses-free way is rapidly replacing the old style as companies harness new technologies and Korea is at the forefront in competing in this new market.
New Photonic Tech Ushers in
KDC's Advanced Technology Lab is the leading world by getting rid of 3D handicaps and to view 3D movies with glasses-free. KDC Lab has broadened the angle, so that people without glasses can see the screen from 15 degrees and solving the light reduction with BLU or Back Light Unit.
Glasses-free, makes it possible by using special photonic technology that is attached to display equipment. The photonic tech can show two separate displays of the screen to our eyes, thus our eyes will see different images. However, the glasses-free way is still in the early developing stages and it still requires a lot of hard work to cope with the limits of 3D, which is required for a person to watch a 3D film. This is due to the limited angle of the photonic dots and the light for the screen needs to be reduced as one more panel should be added for the glasses-free way.
The 3D industry has yet to blossom into its full potential since it is still in the stages of infancy. The key lies not in technology itself, but in the production of contents to be carried in 3D. Experts point out that a variety of contents are essential to make Korea not to fall behind in the new era of 3D and 4D. Chairman Kim emphasizes that not only private sectors, but also the government needs to work together to bring forth the take-off of the 3D content industry. As he suggested last year, the government launched a committee to pave ways to pursuit "growth-together" on the 3D content industry between gigantic companies and small-sized labs and developers. 18 companies from telecommunication, broadcasting, and electronic device manufacturing joined the committee.
3D Contents Technology Forum slated on May 12~13
3D Contents Technology Forum from May 12~13 in Seoul and Busan is significant in a sense that there are quite a few things to be improved in the current 3D industry. The forum will provide an opportunity to see the flow of the 3D market as well as its technological development. Participants and experts will discuss the efforts on how to standardize the 3D content industry, which has been difficult for many developers.
Leading manufacturers in the global markets from the US and Japan will attend the forum, sharing their views on markets and technology surrounding the 3D industry.
Another Market in 3D Concert
Today, 3D markets are not mature enough to flourish. The movie industry needs more time to come out of the deep hole as the world economy has yet to get back on the right track. The lack of content makes the 3D market slide down too. It is very challenging that 3D producers see chances in making concerts in 3D. But an encouraging result has come from an attempt to make 3D versions of concerts by popular music groups.
Last February, a 3D concert by Super Junior, one of the most popular young singing groups in Korea, was a great success at the box office. The show was filmed in 3D for theaters across the country. It has drawn a flood of interest and attention from investors, media and broadcasting companies. It ranked 6th in ticket sales as it attracted 11,940 audience members during its opening week. It was the first time that a non-movie was a huge hit at the box office. This case shows us the importance of 3D content.
High Quality of Content makes Korea 3D Strong
It is no shame to pinpoint that the gap between Korea and the world is still huge to fill in a day. Korea's technology has fallen far behind the world in 3D know-how, engineers, and needless to say, in software and content as well. But the numbers of the players are growing as more companies join the markets to organize "The Korea Real 3D Contents Producers Association," in which KDC takes part in. The association is welcomed by leading companies who are gathered under the flag of "Korea, 3D Strong Nation." They will work together to produce attractive contents for the world to see. "The committee is going to invest in educating 3D engineers such as 3D stereo graphic students who are pivotal to our 3D movie making success," said Chairman Kim. Kim sees the future of the 3D industry as promising. Korea has a strong foundation on which she can stand atop the podium due to its world-leading display technology. "In order to be a real strong country," said Kim, "Korea should focus on content-production and distribution."
The forum slated on May 12~13 will become an arena where leading companies and investors share their interest in 3D. Experts and distributors on 3D contents will look for the best ways to reach an agreement on the standardization of content-production.
"The committee will work closely with other leading companies to exchange know-how on 3D," said Mr. Kim who runs his own 3D business. His company, KDC which entered the market in 2004 succeeded in commercializing 3D LCDs for the first time in the 3D market. The revenue continued to grow from KRW 400 million in 2007 to KRW 2.4 billion in 2008. In 2009 it reached KRW 23 billion, which is ten times bigger than the previous year. KDC's cutting-edge 3D technologies make the company one of the best players in the 3D TV market place.
