For those of you who still have high hopes for the future of 3D television, look away now: Philips has announced the closure of its 3D TV division.
According to an article over on Electronista, the company is shutting up its 3D Solutions division completely and ceasing all activity into 3D imaging technology and research – including its WOWvx technology.
The WOWvx system invented by Philips allows for the simulation of three dimensional imagery on a compatible LCD display without the need to wear polarised lenses or shutter glasses. The technology, although in its infancy, had proven popular with advertising types who deployed WOWvx displays as in-store eye-grabbers. As well as freely available compositing software – and a 3ds Max plugin for the professional – Philips had already produced a commercial implementation of the technology in its 42” 42-3D6W02 3D display, which will now be discontinued.
In a post on the company's blog, the team behind Philips' WOWvx technology confirmed the closure and stated that the website would “be closing its doors and [going] offline at the close of business on June 30th, 2009.” Describing the company's decision to cease development of 3D TV technologies – which Philips blames on the slowing global economy – as “a difficult time for many of us” the team promised to “keep the forums open and most of the site fully functional until the end of June” in order to give users “enough time to have a conversation with the other community members and find creative ways to move forward.”
With Philips dropping out of the race, it looks like 3D TV could still be a good few years away – unless you're willing to put up with rather clunkier solutions.
Do you think that 3D TV is the future, or is Philips right to concentrate its efforts elsewhere – at least until the economy picks up? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
According to an article over on Electronista, the company is shutting up its 3D Solutions division completely and ceasing all activity into 3D imaging technology and research – including its WOWvx technology.
The WOWvx system invented by Philips allows for the simulation of three dimensional imagery on a compatible LCD display without the need to wear polarised lenses or shutter glasses. The technology, although in its infancy, had proven popular with advertising types who deployed WOWvx displays as in-store eye-grabbers. As well as freely available compositing software – and a 3ds Max plugin for the professional – Philips had already produced a commercial implementation of the technology in its 42” 42-3D6W02 3D display, which will now be discontinued.
In a post on the company's blog, the team behind Philips' WOWvx technology confirmed the closure and stated that the website would “be closing its doors and [going] offline at the close of business on June 30th, 2009.” Describing the company's decision to cease development of 3D TV technologies – which Philips blames on the slowing global economy – as “a difficult time for many of us” the team promised to “keep the forums open and most of the site fully functional until the end of June” in order to give users “enough time to have a conversation with the other community members and find creative ways to move forward.”
With Philips dropping out of the race, it looks like 3D TV could still be a good few years away – unless you're willing to put up with rather clunkier solutions.
Do you think that 3D TV is the future, or is Philips right to concentrate its efforts elsewhere – at least until the economy picks up? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
RELATED ARTICLES
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review
October 14 2021 | 15:04
Want to comment? Please log in.