How does Sky 3D work?
How are 3D images captured?
How are 3D images broadcast?
How are 3D images viewed?
How does it compare to 3D in cinemas?
How does it compare to the 3D I have seen through red and green
glasses?
Can 3D TVs only be used to watch 3D content?
Active v Passive 3D explained
Maximising your 3D viewing experience
Will I be able to record 3D programmes?
Can I watch 3D in another room with Sky Multiroom?
Where can I see a Sky 3D demonstration?
How can I watch Sky 3D at home?
How does Sky 3D work?
Your brain creates a sense of depth by combining the slightly different perspectives provided by
your left and right eyes into a ‘merged image’ that includes depth information. Delivering the two
different images on a single 2D screen is a challenge, as there is only one view available to both
eyes.
Sky 3D delivers both a left and right image onto the same screen, and the glasses that you wear
filter out the correct image to each eye, to create the sense of depth of real life.
How are 3D images captured?
3D starts with recording content the way that our eyes see it – from two different perspectives.
Two HD cameras are used in a special camera rig to take aligned left and right images of the chosen
scene so what you see at home is exactly what the cameraman sees whether he’s on the touchline of a
football match or in the heart of a car chase in a movie. The images then make their way through
Sky’s broadcast infrastructure where they are carefully positioned side by side in a single HD
frame.
How are 3D images broadcast?
Sky 3D is broadcast using a normal HD broadcast channel, over existing Sky infrastructure which
means you can enjoy Sky 3D using your Sky+HD box, provided you have a 3D ready TV and you are a Sky
World HD customer.
How are 3D images viewed?
There are two different 3D TV technologies in the market – Active and Passive.
Passive or Cinema 3D TVs use polarised screens to project both the left and right eye image onto
the screen at the same time, and then a special filter on the glass polarises the left and right
images differently, such that you 3D glasses then use a different left and right lens to filter the
correct image to each eye. Your brain then does the rest.
Active 3D TVs use powered LCD lenses which alternately ‘block’ one eye and then the other in
sync with the TV, which is alternating left and right images onto the screen at a very high rate
(usually a minimum of 50 frames per eye per second). This is fast enough that the brain sees no
gaps and again takes the two different views from the left and right eyes to merge them into an
image with depth.
The best way to choose the one that suits you is to go to your local retailer and take a
look.
How does it compare to 3D in cinemas?
In essence the way in which 3D is shown in cinemas and how you can experience 3D at home is very
similar. With Sky 3D however, you can be sure you’ll get the best seat in the house as well as the
added benefit of Sky+ functionality allowing you to pause, rewind and record 3D TV.
How does it compare to the 3D I have seen through red and green glasses?
The 'red and green' glasses form of 3D (known as anaglyph) were popular back in the 80s with
Hollywood films like Jaws-3D. Although the principles are the same, Sky 3D delivers a far superior
experience. Anaglyph images suffer from a loss of colour, as the method for filtering out the left
and right images strip out a wide range of colour from the image, making images dark and dull at
times.
Can 3D TVs only be used to watch 3D content?
The new 3D ready TVs coming into the market will all be fully HD ready, so rest assured you can
still watch all of the great HD and SD content available on Sky on the same TV as you enjoy Sky
3D.
Active v Passive 3D explained
Active v Passive 3D refers to the type of glasses you have to wear to watch 3D.
Active glasses contain LCD lenses that alternately ‘block out’ each eye depending on whether the
left or right image is being displayed on the screen. They are referred to as active because they
require a battery to operate the LCD lenses. The shuttering occurs so rapidly that you don’t see
the shutters just the amazing 3D picture.
Passive or Cinema 3D glasses use polarisation to separate out the left and right image. They are
referred to as passive because the glasses to do require any power to operate them. These work with
polarised TVs that use circular polarisation to deliver the two images to the viewer. The TVs have
a polarised filter integrated into the screen, and when switched into 3D mode, the filer orientates
the light emitting from the screen differently for the left and right image.
One important point to consider is the cost of replacing broken or lost 3D glasses. Active
glasses will cost more than passive glasses due to the additional technology they use. Active
glasses will also need a new lithium battery (similar to a watch battery) when it runs out.
The best way to choose the one that suits you is to go to your local retailer and take a
look.
Maximising your 3D viewing experience
There are a number of ways in which you can optimise your 3D viewing experience.
- If your 3D TV is an LED screen you may require time to warm up before the best possible 3D
picture is available. Please refer to your TV manufacturer for specific guidelines.
- Ensure you follow your TV manufactures recommendations for viewing angles and viewing
environments. It is possible for example if your TV is wall mounted it may need to be tilted
forward to optimise the viewing experience.
- Ensure your TV is using the latest firmware/software. Please refer to your manufacturers'
website for more information.
Will I be able to record 3D programmes?
All the usual Sky+ features that you know and love are available on the Sky 3D
channel.
Can I watch 3D in another room with Sky Multiroom?
Yes, as long as the box in the second room is a Sky+HD set-top box and you have the relevant
subscriptions*.
Where can I see a Sky 3D demonstration?
Sky 3D is being showcased in Sky Stores across Ireland. To see if your local Sky Store has a 3D
demonstration please visit our
Sky Stores page.
How can I watch Sky 3D at home?
If you are an existing Sky World HD customer with a 3D TV you can activate Sky 3D now by calling
0818 762 832.
If you are not a Sky World HD customer you can
upgrade your viewing package so that
you are eligible to receive Sky 3D.
If you are not a Sky TV customer, join Sky with Sky World HD to
activate Sky 3D.
Once our customer service advisor has activated Sky 3D for you, you should be able to see
straight away but you may have to wait for up to four hours for the channel to appear.
When the channel is activated, all you need to do is switch your TV to 3D mode (please refer to
your TV manual for instructions), put on your 3d glasses and enjoy incredible Sky 3D.
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