在2009年美國CEA (Consumer Electronics Association)就曾宣告要制訂3D眼鏡的標準規格，事隔一年多後，又慎重其事地宣佈要制訂主動式3D眼鏡的標準，希望這回它是玩真的。首先，它呼籲大家(包括所有目前的3D電視大廠與主動式3D眼鏡的廠商)，於2011年5月31日以前能夠提出建言以供CEA參考，以便能制訂出符合大家所能接受的標準。其目的希望能制訂出一個標準的主動式3D眼鏡，以便可以使用於各廠牌主動式3D電視，有利於主動式3D電視的推廣。

CEA的立意是很好，可以一統目前各廠牌3D電視所使用主動式3D眼鏡互不相容的亂象，不過這裡馬上會面臨一個最殘酷的現實問題：對於市場上已售出數百萬台或即將要出貨的各廠牌3D電視所使用的主動式3D眼鏡，該如何統一標準？這固然可以使用「轉換器」(Converter)的方式來解決，不過這會產生額外的成本與使用的不方便性；另一方面，會不會造成有意要購買主動式3D電視的消費者因此而縮手，保持觀望態度，等待新標準制訂後的產品上市後再下手？

CEA之所以想在這個時候制訂主動式3D眼鏡的標準，或許它已看出主動式3D電視的龐大商機，而想分一杯羹(收取授權金)？也有可能藉由統一標準的主動式3D眼鏡，可以讓有興趣的廠商來參與製造、推廣，而大幅降低主動式3D眼鏡售價並增加各種款式以滿足不同消費族群的需要，進而促進主動式3D電視的推動？其實主動式3D眼鏡的成本並不高，由於它是主動式3D電視的必要配備，而且是一台3D電視可能會有多支3D眼鏡的需求，這是各主動式3D電視廠商的獨家週邊商品生意，在初期市場尚未有太多競爭者的情況下，其售價可以標高以維持高額利潤，而且可以藉此標高價位的策略來免費搭售其3D電視以達促銷二者為目的。這也可以說明為何現階段所有主動式3D電視廠商皆有自己專屬主動式3D眼鏡，而彼此互不相容的原因。

CEA的這個制訂行動是來遲了，應該早在3D電視尚未上市之前就要將3D眼鏡的標準制訂出來，就像Blu-Ray 3D Player與HDMI 1.4a一樣；不過即使當時制訂了標準，如果各主動式3D電視廠商不支持，也是徒然無功，因這裡牽涉到各3D電視大廠與主動式3D眼鏡廠商的龐大利益，要整合這些利益團體有相當高的難度；但是站在消費者的立場而言，我們是樂觀其成，接下來就看CEA的魄力了，這也考驗CEA的智慧！


-JG (www.i-art.com.tw)

CEA Seeks 3D Glasses Standardisation, But Only On Active-Shutter Type

消息來源：http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/cea-3d-glasses-standardisation-201103121054.htm
日       期：2011/03/12
作       者：Jonathan Sutton

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has this week invited interested manufacturers in the HDTV industry to submit proposals to standardise the infrared synchronisation signal used on active-shutter 3D glasses, so that eyewear from one brand can be used on three-dimensional TVs from other makes. The American trade organisation hopes that by arriving at a common standard for interoperable 3D glasses, the public will be less hesitant about buying a 3D TV, which will then drive up household adoption.

At present, a pair of active-shutter 3D glasses from a certain manufacturer will generally only work with 3DTVs of the same brand, because the infrared signal used to synchronise the 3D goggles to the corresponding transmitter varies from one TV maker to another. Without correct synchronisation, the shutters on the glasses will not open and close in tandem with the two slightly different images sent to the left and right eyes, therefore extinguishing any intended 3D effect.

CEA’s vice president of research and standards Brian Markwalter explained that the organisation is simply fulfilling its role as a respected standards-setting body when pushing for such a change. He believes that as 3D televisions become more prevalent in the marketplace, the need for interchangeable active-shutter glasses between different 3DTV brands grows even stronger due to consumer demand and expectations.

Interested consumer electronics manufacturers have been asked to submit their ideas through the downloadable Active Eyewear Standards IR Sync Request For Proposal form before 5pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the 31st of May 2011. A 3D Technologies Working Group, R4WG16, has also been set up which is open for participation subject to approval.

While the CEA’s desire to establish a universal standard for 3D glasses is commendable, active shutter is not the only technology available on the market. LG Electronics have teamed up with several well-known HDTV manufacturers including Toshiba, Vizio and Philips to push its FPR (film-type patterned retarder) passive 3D LCD panels, trumpeting their more affordable prices, flicker-free 3D viewing experience, and also the complementary polarized 3D glasses’ superior cost and comfort. Further down the line, glasses-free (also known technically as autostereoscopic) 3D TV may become the norm, but it will probably take quite a few years before the technology is able to achieve mass-market penetration.