RNIB Joins Debate on 3D Industry Standards

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has waded into the dispute other whether or not 3D TV should be standardised. The UK broadcast industry is currently divided over whether to support a backward-compatible, full resolution per eye standard, or to initially back BSkyB’s method that would utilise current HD infrastructure and set-top boxes.

In a statement, the charity said: “RNIB is very concerned that the introduction of 3D could result in many people being unable to watch television unless national and international industry standards are set. Whether because of an eye condition, or simply eye strain, it is essential to ensure that viewers are able to change from watching a 3D programme on their TV or set-top box to watching the same programme in 2D. If 3D TV goes ahead without industry standards being set, more than 200,000 blind and partially sighted people across the UK will be affected.”

The RNIB suggests that any viewers with eye conditions that affect depth perception – plus those with cataracts or glaucoma – will have difficulty seeing in 3D.

By Will Strauss, BroadcastNow