It is prospected that the 3D industry will landscape the IT business and will ultimately bring a promising future to Korea. However, there are alternating views on this prospect, in which not all Koreans agree upon the idea that 3D business will buoy their economy and cause an IT revolution. To fully analyze and grasp the situation of what is really going on in the 3D businesses, Korea IT Times and Electronic Newspaper ran a "3D Convergence 2010" forum at the Press Center on February 11, for five long, but breathtaking hours. The forum was conducted in an in-depth discussion layout where a total of thirteen chief members carried on the discussion.
The forum began by a presentation from Lee Seung-hyun, professor at Gwangun University, and he passed the baton to Kim Eun-soo, the chairperson of the meeting and also the Chairman of Korean Communications Society. The discussion was between thirteen prominent figures and it started out smooth, but then there were deliberate pros and cons of which 3D industry will thrive in a long term or dwindle after having a short-term impact on the economy. Lee Seung-hyun's presentation in the start of the meeting was useful in that it pinpointed key notes on what the discussion will pick up on.
Kim Eun-soo's remark (Chairperson): "We are interested in 3D businesses and are willing to contribute to the flourishing 3D industry. However, we see a long road ahead in which the government, business circle, and other secondary market should cooperate and conduct thorough R&D, merge 3D with conventional broadcasting industry, study 3D sector limits and how that will affect the entire economic market. And last but not least finalize the policy and regulations on the 3D market. Moreover, there are roughly ten issues that rise to the surface such as standardization, technology level, and possibility on searching new 3D technology. Currently, there are no ways to certify the quality of our 3D products because the lack of government support and also there are not any brilliant ideas to tackle the problems of exhaustion and fatigue caused by watching 3D videos. And this brings to my first question, what is the government's stance on all this 3D effort? I would like to ask Jo Young-sin, head of Information Electronics Industry sector from Ministry of Knowledge Economy."
Seo Kyung-hak, the director of Electronic Components Research Institute: "In order to generate and maintain a long-term success of 3D business, we have to alternate new technologies with fundamental technologies and launch a whole new line of technology. We predict that the gaming market will embellish the 3D business into an innovative and yet useful market for children; what I mean by useful is that kids are able to have a new and different experience when playing games, not only do they get visual experiences, but a diverse, sensual experiences. Moreover, medical treatment and education are other areas where 3D technology will be focused on and it will be like hitting the jack pot for many 3D companies because medical surgeries, today, require as much visual details as possible and not to mention education, kids love 3D technology. Then again, we do not obtain our own, original technology and that hinders us from moving forward into developing more 3D products. Thus, if every sector cooperates and invests into creating a fundamental technology and source, we will walk towards hope."
Jo Young-sin head of Information Electronics Industry sector of Ministry of Knowledge Economy: "Small to medium sized businesses have shown interest in the 3D sector long before the larger group and small businesses began to endeavor on what 3D can offer. The government considers cameras, TVs, and other products can enhance 3D technology. The popularity of 3D movies such as Avatar is still showing in theaters and become the backbone of the 3D boom. Nonetheless, there are policies that must be followed to incorporate 3D successfully into our current IT business. First, we need to create 3D TVs, and then we need to establish 3D network. Finally, that brings us to our last step; if there are no contents following the settlement of 3D network, where is the fun of watching 3D channels via our TV? So then, we should make a lot of 3D contents that we can shoot via 3D TV using established 3D network. All these three factors equally play a definitive role in wrapping up the 3D businesses. Then again, this will be time consuming and without the full support of the government, it will take even longer; especially, small to medium sized companies have ground breaking ideas on 3D, but they generally lack funds so the government should aid and lead their businesses."
Kang Bae-geun, Director of LG Electronics: "I say that the origin of 3D technology started three years ago in Korea, but I am a little disappointed because we could have begun much sooner. The future of 3D industry looks bright and with new and improved technology. However, we are encountering some inconveniences in 3D glasses such as headaches. Then, of course, 3D technology should be standardized; for the display sector, I am pretty confident that it will find a breakthrough to apply 3D technology and make smooth progress. However, I doubt about incorporating 3D technology into the medical treatment area."
Oh Yong-soo head of Radio Management Department of Korea Communications Commission: "3D boom in Korea? I personally think this is going to be unsustainable. This is because if we look at Korean broadcasting industry, producing technologies are all in-house that requires overtime editing at night, meaning that the reality is harsh. How will manufacturing and producing processes be able to avoid heavy investment, buying new equipment or pouring money into R&D, and what business model are we struggling to create? What is important is that we should make a wide network that is compatible to any device, anywhere, and anytime. Also consider the connection between convergence, network, and device, in which they all need to maintain balance while establishing 3D into our IT industry. Another factor to keep in mind is that countries such as U.S. were able to create 3D movies like Avatar, but we do not have enough resources to do that. Thus, we should find a way or a resolution that can satisfy everyone instead of being pressed on time and acting as if 3D future is imminent."
Lee Ho-jin, Director of the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Research Laboratory of ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute): "We have promoted 3D for a long time and have been anticipating upon its booming business, but first we should consider what other people think about 3D and concentrate on R&D sector. Also, I can see that businesses are endorsing 3D convergence, but I disagree; we must follow the order of advancing 3D technology. Instead of upholding on the 3D convergence, broadcasting and media sectors should first see the light, meaning they should achieve and pave the way for other sectors to follow and settle down. As for the contents, they are still inadequate and we are still researching on its technology. Moreover, we should develop newer technology rather than tagging along popular trend of 3D technology, because in a long term, the quality of originality is what really lasts."
Kim Tae-sup, CEO of KDC: "I would like to make a few suggestions to the government officials that are here today. I humbly ask that the government draw a line between the conglomerate and small to medium sized businesses. More specifically, on what sectors or fields that we should each export to or develop on. I hope that the government will actively aid small businesses and also make a portal that will engage everybody and to inform about how 3D technology is coming closer to our lives."
Kang Suk-won, Head of Digital Contents Industry Division of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Diverse content market is a respectable and is certainly progressing, but there is a gap between U.S. and Korea, now that we have worked on it for five years. Real time 3D filming should be consistently performed, but we currently have none and without a successful experience like Avatar it will be difficult to begin the 3D business. In order for 3D contents to be lucrative, it initially needs to be well planned, produced and to procure many channels as possible. "
Kim Chang-yong, Executive Director of Samsung Electronics: "We are currently focusing on making new 3D glasses to accommodate 3D viewers and also trying to standardize our existing and developing 3D technology. Although it seems a little late, we expect complete standardization in 2015."
Oh Yong-soo, Head of Radio Management Department of Korea Communication Commission: "Before we get down to business, we should think about broadband for network, broadcasting system for the present state, and the overall of 3D business models. And to think about a production system, which will curb enormous costs. Commercials must combine contents with profit models that construct a fusion environment of broadband and network that can be reached anytime, anywhere for anybody. Also for the viewers' sense of security, bandwidth must be protected and the screens should be safely recycled. And finally, the government support should stimulate the technology and it should be self-revealing."
Lee Jae-kwon, CEO of RealScope: "To facilitate 3D content-making, small to medium sized businesses should acquire government funds to procure a lot of resources. There were many attempts by small businesses to go on their own making 3D contents, but it all turned out ugly. For instance, NFX Media tried to film Big Bang's (popular Korean singing idol group) concert to create the first 3D content, but it was extremely difficult because their hardware was not fully equipped with adequate functions. Also, their camera caused problems so they rented a 3D camera, but that cost them approximately KRW1 billion per camera. All things considered, the government should step in and support the 3D contents manufacturers."
Kim Nam, Professor at Chungbuk University: "There are no successful 3D companies as of yet. The most crucial factor in 3D technology is nurturing manpower, creating original technology, and obtaining standardization."
Departments of the Korean government including the Korea Communications Commission, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism have established a task force team to promote their policy and build up the 3D industry.
Support for service contents and display terminals are the outlook to create a new 3D world. Movement within the industry is spreading; at CES 2010, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, and other global companies displayed their 3D products to arise as leaders of the 3D industry. In the middle of this, traditional enterprises packaged with diverse enterprise fields will build new 3D functions. This is a big issue and we suggest you construct a 3D roadmap any way possible while the government and others will meet together to prepare for this industry.
By Bang Jung-hyun, Korea IT Times
