In a somewhat depressing decision by DirecTV and ESPN, they will not be broadcasting interlaced or frame sequential images but rather the lower-resolution “side by side”. Frame sequential offers full HD frames for each eye, but the side-by-side simply renders both eyes into the same frame, compressing it horizontally to half the original width, allowing the TV to stretch it back to normal.
When it launches this month, DirecTV will be airing 3-D programming by using the side-by-side 3-D format. ESPN also will be airing 3-D content using a 720p, 60fps side-by-side format for its World Cup coverage.
Side by side uses the same bandwidth as standard HD transmissions and only half that of frame-sequential technology. Using 24fps, it splits the image into two frames — one for each eye. It doubles the length of each segment, and then displays those images sequentially for the shutter glasses.
I’ve seen this effect on a JVC Passive Stereo 3D TV at my office, and I’ve not been very impressed. The result is often pixellated and blurry.
via Delivering 3-D content to the home: frame sequential vs. side by side | BE on 3-D.
