The 'Blu-ray Disc Association' has recently announced the publication of specifications for 3D Blu-ray. This publication is the result of a joint effort by the leading constructors of mass market electronic material and some American studios. It should make it possible for the general public to enjoy the 3D experience while staying at home. Note that this is 'real' relief, it will be without coloured glasses, since the 'standard' player will emit two complete separated 1080 signals. To better understand the importance of this publication, we met with stereographer Kommer Kleijn.

Will these specifications lead to a standard?

Kommer Kleijn: A consortium of manufacturers and studios agreed with these specifications. This is not exactly an official standard. It's more like a label. For example, to wear the 'DVD' logo, the various machines or media must fit certain qualifications. Now, certain DVD players do not have this logo and they work nonetheless. But the fact that some have it guarantees the user that all media wearing the same logo can be played on this machine. We are looking at the same approach here. To obtain a label from the BDA, you have to fit the specifications issued by the association. But it's not obligatory.

Will all manufacturers follow the BDA?

K.K.: I'm not clairvoyant, but the BDA brings together important enterprises on the market (editor's note: namely Panasonic, Pioneer, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures and Television and Warner Bros). So you can bet some good money that they will have followers. Even more so since the main concurrent in high definition, HD-DVD, has already thrown the towel in favour of blu-ray.

Why embarking on 3D? Was the HD argument not enough?

K.K.: the general public doesn't necessarily see the difference. Even if the user buys a big HD screen, he can still watch DVDs without realising the quality is inferior. You can charge more for a new product but the public must be able to appreciate the difference. With 3D, sellers have an extra argument. It's the same approach as for cinemas.

In its specifications, the BDA states that there must be compatibility with 2D...

K.K.: it's a reverse compatibility (as opposed to direct compatibility). It will be possible to read the 3D content in 2D and on existing Blu-ray players which have not yet been adapted to 3D. This criterion is interesting to me because it makes it possible to have just one disc for 3D and 2D. In general terms, the cost of a digital master is still elevated. With this specification, the producer will be able to make just one master while still offering 2D and 3D at the same time.

How will this push forward the development of 3D?

K.K.: The 3D movement is going strong in Hollywood. But right now this type of cinema is mostly made for cinemas. Generally speaking, the general public does not yet possess the necessary equipment to watch 3D. With these specifications from the BDA, the manufacturers should offer more products.

This would create an upward movement...

K.K.: That's what we are hoping for. If, from an economic standpoint, a film has success because it's sold on 3D Blu-ray, it will lead the studios to make other 3D films, since they will be able to make a profit out of the extra expenses related to 3D, both when released in cinemas and when released on Blu-Ray. The offer of 3D screens today is rather small, since there isn't much content (aside from video games). If we increase the content, there will be more screens available, etc. Television chains should also be broadcast in 3D.

All this should make it possible for 3D to really develop.

And what is the role of this BDA publication in all of this?

K.K.: It's the starting point. This step will make the aforementioned scenario possible.