Three-dimensional visuals may finally be starting their run to supersede HD in state-of-the-art presentations, displays and media content, with opportunities in the channel already appearing.

Avatar, a film using groundbreaking 3D technology and set on fictional planet Pandora, has been selling out at the box office around the world. Meanwhile, announcements around advances in 3D technology were rolling in at the world’s largest consumer tech show, CES, this month in Las Vegas.

Mike Fisher, senior consultant at research company Futuresource Consulting, said there were definitely indications that 3D may finally be finding the acceptance that will prefigure genuine commercial success.

“There are misconceptions about 3D, because old 3D often was not very good,” he said. “But with Avatar, look at the box office receipts.”

Avatar took more than $1bn (£600m) in its first three weeks, and is tipped to overtake the previous most profitable film, Titanic.

Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic are expected to release 3D TVs in 2010, and the upgrade from HD to 3D is easier than from SD to HD.

“HD was like a whole new technology,” Fisher said. “But this is like a decoding chip added to a TV. TVs will understand what signal is being sent, and process that.”

As CRN went to press, CES had seen LG, Toshiba, and Samsung launch
3D TVs. Samsung also launched a 3D Blu-ray player.

Fisher said consumer adoption will drive business use. Niche opportunities are in areas such as healthcare and defence. Mainstream reseller opportunities include education and signage.

“As an upgrade path for schools, it is cheap. The most expensive thing is the $100-150 active-shutter glasses. Imagine 3D wen you’re teaching biology,” he added.