Technicolor launches first 3D transmission facility

Infrastructure provider Technicolor has launched what it describes as the first independent broadcast services platform ready to transmit 3D channels from its Chiswick facility in London.

Technicolor says it is able to manage live or pre-recorded content, from post production through encoding for satellite, cable, IPTV or terrestrial distribution. The company is also able to generate logos and other visual effects for 3D broadcasts. The Broadcast 3D transmission suite at Technicolor’s Chiswick Park offices features equipment from Sensio, Orad and Miranda. 

In addition to Broadcast 3D, the company provides film-based theatrical 3D solution, services for Blu-ray 3D, automated 3D subtitling, and auto-stereoscopic content delivery on mobile phones. 

Separately, on-screen graphics specialist Vizrt has been chosen to provide the core graphics platform for BSkyB’s Sky Sports 3D channel, due to launch next month. The stereoscopic Vizrt system uses a Viz Trio CG operator interface, controlling a Viz render engine PC. This engine uses two graphics cards and the separately rendered HD channels for each eye are synchronised by a new application developed for the process, according to Vizrt.