Blu-ray 3D is here!

Blu-ray Disc Association announces official Blu-ray 3D specs.

After months of speculation, and various manufacturers demonstrating their individual 3D solutions, the Blu-ray Disc Association settled on official specs for the 3D Blu-ray format.

And it’s pretty much what we’ve already written about.

As previously reported, Blu-ray 3D will use Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec, an extension of the AVC codec currently utilized by most distributors. Exact specifications have still not been released to the press, but the format is said to be display agnostic, meaning it will display 3D video to any compatible display device.

Rumors that Blu-ray 3D glasses would utilize shutter-based technology, such as the NVIDIA 3D Vision solution on display at CES next month, also turned out to be a safe bet.

Another key selling point is that the PlayStation 3, Sony’s flagship player for the fledgling format, will be able to playback 3D Blu-ray content in full, digital 3D.

“Throughout this year, movie goers have shown an overwhelming preference for 3-D when presented with the option to see a theatrical release in either 3-D or 2-D,” said Victor Matsuda, chairman, BDA Global Promotions Committee. “We believe this demand for 3-D content will carry over into the home now that we have, in Blu-ray Disc, a medium that can deliver a quality Full HD 3-D experience to the living room.”

“In 2009 we saw Blu-ray firmly establish itself as the most rapidly adopted packaged media format ever introduced,” said Matsuda. “We think the broad and rapid acceptance Blu-ray Disc already enjoys with consumers will be a factor in accelerating the uptake of 3-D in the home. In the meantime, existing players and libraries can continue to be fully enjoyed as consumers consider extending into 3-D home entertainment.”

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