According to multiple sources, HBO is set to launch a 3D on-demand channel in the Q1 2011.
HBO has not officially announced the channel, but a service spokesperson confirmed the plans.
Furthermore, the channel will launch with a world premiere of a 3D version of the blockbuster Inception.
For now, Warner Bros. says there are no plans for an Inception 3D conversion.
It was reported earlier in the year that Warner tried to convert Inception to 3D before its initial theater run, but director Christopher Nolan would not sign off on it, citing “Clash of the Titans’” poor reviews.
Looking to the future, Warner is expected to begin filming the third Batman movie in 3D next year.
Result for: Convert
At this week’s IFA 2010 tech fair, Sony has unveiled a 3D Vaio notebook, one that includes a button that, when pressed, will convert 2D images to 3D.
While the premise is intriguing, there is, of course, a catch. Users will need to wear active shutter glasses to view the 3D.
The glasses, besides being an annoyance, are easy to lose and expensive to replace, making the proposition less interesting.
Sony CEO Howard Stringer says the notebook will be available next Spring, but no word on cost.
The display is full 1080p HD, and can handle 240 fps. Additionally, Sony’s “black frame insertion” tech is used, which “which inserts a black frame between normal video frames to improve pixel response and improve black levels,” says PCW.
Result for: Convert
MCV is reporting today that the BBC is actively trying to get back into gaming, looking to turn intellectual properties into DS, Wii and iPhone games. The company is also looking to turn the properties into games that can be played online via social networking sites such as Facebook.
Of the popular properties the BBC is looking to convert, Doctor Who, Top Gear, and In The Night Garden are the most popular.
“We are open to conversations with anybody in games about all kinds of business models to see how we can extract more value,” said Neil Ross Russell, MD of licensing. “Outside of Disney we have the most well-known line-up of children’s characters around the world.”
“We’ve been reactive to the market in the last few years,” adds Dave Anderson, head of multimedia development at BBC Worldwide, noting that the company closed its gaming division in 2005. “There were a few opportunistic licensing deals, but we were largely aggregating and holding on to our properties to wait and see how the market developed.”
