A new report by DIGDIA explains the 3D Entertainment ecosystem, from movie production to consumer products.

3D made a big splash a year ago, and it is still going strong.

In mid-2009 there were about 5,000 3D movie screens worldwide.  Now there are over 22,300 3D screens worldwide.  This is an increase of nearly 450% in 18 months.

There continues to be growth in 3D movie titles, too.  The first digital 3D movie was Disney’s Chicken Little in 2005.  The number of digital 3D movie titles has nearly doubled every year since.  In 2010 the number of 3D titles was just over 30.  The number of announced 3D titles for 2011 is now approaching 60.

There is an explosion of 3D consumer electronics products, too.  A year ago the market got excited with the introduction of 3D TVs and Blu-ray players.  With a couple of small exceptions, 3D products from major brands were limited to just these two product categories.  This year at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show the market saw the introduction of products in at least 17 product categories.  New 3D products ranged from camcorders to picture frames to notebooks and tablets.

And, while more is needed, there is going to be a lot more 3D to watch.  In addition to all the personal 3D video people will take, in 2011 we will see ESPN’s 3D channel go 24/7; and Discovery’s 3D Channel, also 24/7, will finally turn on.  There will even be a 3D channel from Penthouse.

Despite the writings of some people that say 3D was last year’s disappointment, the industry is pushing ahead.  The 3D industry is still very young, so if it is not as big as some predicted, keep in mind that many things really only got started half a year ago. 2010 saw a lot of progress.  That said, there is still a lot the industry needs to do.

A new 266 page report from DIGDIA details the complete 3D Entertainment ecosystem, pointing out the practical realities the industry is facing and the opportunities companies have for growth.  Download an excerpt at www.digdia.com There is also a complementary white paper that you are welcome to download.

DIGDIA – Digital Media Market Research and Strategic Consulting – www.digdia.com
11234 Mt. Crest Pl., Cupertino, CA 95014
408-981-2288 – info@digdia.com – twitter @digdia

Keith Sharp is the 55-year-old mayor of a city in eastern England. He’s been a health adviser for the past decade and a half. He’s spent $3,000 on a 3D HD TV and $175 on 3D glasses. All the guy wanted to do was rent a copy of Piranha 3D and spend a quiet, bloodsplattered night at home.

An employee at the local Blockbuster video thought otherwise, telling Sharp that hecouldn’t rent the film. The ailing movie rental chain has a policy against renting out 3D, offer hygiene concerns. Apparently the policy was misinterpreted by an employee, who thought it extended to 3D films (why the store would carry a bunch of movies it couldn’t rent is beyond us, of course), barring Sharp from going home with the comedy-horror flick.

“It’s absolutely stupid,” Sharp said, apparently distraught by the whole run in. “It’s one of those over-the-top health and safety issues I’m sick and tired of. Things like renting a DVD should be common sense. I’ve come across idiotic health and safety people in my time, and this is up there with the worst of them.”

Blockbuster apologized for the apparent mix up, telling the press, “Staff have been trained on our strategy-but unfortunately, in this case, they provided the wrong information to the customer.”

Original post here: http://www.gearlog.com/2011/01/british_mayor_barred_from_pira.php