Chris Johns, chief engineer at Sky, presented an overview of Sky 3D, which launched April 3 to over 1000 pubs in the UK.
–The satellite channel, which can be received using Sky’s currently available set top box and a 3D TV, will have its residential launch in the Fall. Johns suggested that this would be “appointment TV” as there is currently not enough content for 24/7. When 3D programming is not on the air, a 3D demo reel will be in rotation during most of the day.
–Demos will be presented in stores
–Initially Sky 3D is free to top tier Sky subscribers
–Johns cautioned that he’s had quotes up to 200 GBP for a pair of active shuttle glasses. “10 pairs of glasses for your friends costs more that the TV,” he said, adding that this could hurt the rollout.
–Sky will broadcast at least one Premiere League event per week.
–http://introducingsky3D.sky.com

The presentation was part of a panel that explored the multiple distribution channels for 3D to the home.

Commenting on the broadcast side, ATSC president Mark S. Richer stated: Broadcast bandwidth is limited. The future of broadcasting is wireless, and it must be leveraged. So if there is talk of broadcast 3D, it should be considered in this context.
He suggested 3D TV should deliver to mobile and handheld devices, in real time and nonreal time, aimed at personal size screens.

Dolby’s Pat Griffis moderated the panel. Additional speakers included Tony Jasionowski, senior group manager (packaged media) at Panasonic; David Broberg, vp consumer video technology, at CableLabs; and Jim Taylor, senior vp and chief technologist, Sonic Solutions.

Industry consultant Michael Karagosian reported a good year at the box office, with over $10 billion in box office revenue in the U.S. and about $10 billion in the rest of the world. The presentation was held during the Digital Cinema Summit, co-produced by SMPTE, ETC, EBU and NAB.

He reported:
–17,000 digital cinema screens worldwide
–This past year, 87% growth, most of which came from outside of North America and was largely driven by 3D.
–Suggested that growth without a deployment initiative showed that exhibitors are investing.
–DCIP funding is a “significant step”
–Several other US deployment plans have disappeared. “I expect to see other companies stepping in.”
–Industry is moving toward DCI compliance
–SMPTE DCP distribution is beginning

Oleg Berezin, CEO of Nevafilm, offered a status report on the digital cinema rollout in Russia:
–2,102 screens in 792 sites (35mm and D-cinema)
–Attendance in Russian cinema is growing
–Fragmented market with roughly 463 players (including chains and independent circuits).
–Market driver is 3D. Only three digital screens in Russia don’t have 3D.
–3D system deployment in Russia: Dolby 3D 66%, Xpand 27%, RealD 4%, Master Image 1%, Imax 1%, dual projection 1%

EDCF’s Peter Wilson reported on Europe:
–Suggested that the 87% global growth in D-cinema is “largely driven by ‘Avatar’ rather than any new model”
–New installations are largely funded by theaters because funding plans have been a challenge. With ‘Avatar,’ “people just went out and spent their own money.”
–“All 3D vendors are quite well represented across Europe”
–Odeon signed VPFs and has secured financing
–French CNC funding plan was rejected by European Competition Authority, which had effect on Germany, which was looking into a similar system
–Italy will offer a tax credit for D-cinema
–Norway’s rollout tender was granted
–Arts Alliance signed a group of Danish independents
–In the Netherlands Arts Alliance signs ABC and XDC signed Jogchem and Euroscoop.