Virgin Media, cable TV, broadband and home phone provider, is offering its subscribers a range of 3D programs through its on-demand TV catch-up service. However the company has moved away from its decision to launch an exclusive 3D TV channel. Customers are required to view the 3D content with the aid of special 3D glasses.
Virgin Media said that its on-demand 3D service will require ‘passive’ glasses as then the service will be comparatively cheap but will require more expensive TVs. However expensive glasses are also available. During the Ideal Home Show at Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre in London, a reel of 3D content including sport and video games as a taste of its plans was showed for the rapidly emerging entertainment medium. Virgin Media head of media relations Asam Ahmad said that the cable operator sees 3D as “special occasion” viewing, which is more suited to on-demand availability. Ahmad also expressed his belief that viewers will be more interested in picking and choosing what 3D content they want to watch rather than accessing a specific schedule.
Virgin Media’s new V HD Box will allow cable operator’s HD channels at no further subscription cost. The receiver features HDMI, SCART, USB and Ethernet ports, along with full support for 3D streams. Virgin Media situates the 3D TV in a unique category of service. Its insight of the service is very different from its competitor BSkyB. Given the special status accorded to 3D TV by Virgin Media, it has claimed that the service is offered on demand only.
Virgin will soon also be giving visitors a taste of future services including its soon to be released TiVo HD personal video recorder PVR and systems with the ability to move content from TV screens to computers and mobile phones.
Tags: 3d content, 3d Glasses, 3d tv, cable operator, demand tv, entertainment medium, exhibition centre, future services, home phone provider, ideal home show, including sport, personal video recorder, receiver features, special occasion, tivo, tv content, tv screens, virgin media