Panasonic Previews Its New 3D Camera

At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, we introduced Panasonic's new, light weight and reasonably priced 3D professional camera, the AG-3DA1. And at this month's NAB (that's National Association of Broadcasters) show in Las Vegas, the industry got its first chance to play with it.

As Panasonic's CEO said, we're creating 3D solutions from the camera to the couch, providing an entire 3D infrastructure that will enable program creators to make the best 3D content, and consumers to see it on the best possible 3D displays.

Today, if you want to shoot in 3D, it typically means hauling around a huge rig. With the new AG-3DA1, we've shrunk the entire package into an easy to handle body that contains two lenses that includes convergent point displacement and automatic correction for horizontal and vertical displacement.

If you're not familiar with these terms, in essence it means that we have "democratized" 3D production. By offering a small-sized reasonably-priced camera (it's $21,000, a very compelling price for a professional camera) we're bringing the ability to shoot in 3D to many more individuals. Imagine the difference between hauling an 80 pound 3D rig compared to carrying our new one that weighs just 6.6 pounds!

One NAB attendee gave a real-world example of what that means: with a traditional 3D rig, he was able to shoot in only a few locations in one day. Using a prototype AG-3DA1, he did 15 separate locations and covered 100 miles in the same amount of time.

What this means for the consumer is that the production community is now able to create a wide range of programs in 3D, including nature documentaries, live mega-events, concerts, sports, and any others that take place where a small, nimble camera is needed. Great 3D programming will be coming to viewers sooner than ever thought possible.

You can learn more about the camera by watching this YouTube video.

Analysts Weigh in on 3D TV

Now that 3D TVs are available for retail purchase, how many sets can the consumer electronics manufacturers expect to sell in the coming months? Of course, no one knows for sure, but there are a number of educated estimates coming out from some of the most-respected analysts in the industry.

In a study by the NPD Group, one-third of those questioned said that they were interested in buying a 3D TV. That's a huge number. Why? Remember, most consumers haven't yet viewed 3D TV, so getting one-third of respondents to say they want something that isn't available and hasn't been seen by many is a very positive sign. As Ross Rubin, an NPD analyst, said, consumers will want to bring "home even more of the cinematic experience."

The research firm, iSuppli, recently released its own analysis of how well 3D TV sales will fare, and the numbers look great. According to iSuppli, 3D TV set sales will explode, growing from 4.2 million TVs worldwide this year, to an amazing 78 million in 2015, just five years from now. Revenues from those sales will jump from $7.4 billion this year, to $64 billion in 2015. 

It's Panasonic's belief, and increasingly that of industry analysts as well, that once consumers get to see the amazingly lifelike and encompassing effect that the Full HD 3D experience has on television watching, that Full HD 3D HDTVs will become a "must have" for many television viewers.