The one-third TVNZ owned Hybrid TV has eked out another point of difference for its TiVo recorder.Through its Caspa service, which delivers content via a broadband connection, TiVo is now offering 3D content – because it turns out a TiVo set-to
The one-third TVNZ owned Hybrid TV has eked out another point of difference for its TiVo recorder.
Through its Caspa service, which delivers content via a broadband connection, TiVo is now offering 3D content – because it turns out a TiVo set-top box can be used to decode 3D content.
That’s good news for the tiny number of New Zealanders who’ve brought a 3DTV so far (TiVo also argues, optimistically, that you can download content now and save it for the day when you buy a 3D telly).
Right now, content is limited to some short films and animations (the movie trailers available to Australian TiVo users are not available here).
The real 3D fun will start when broadcasters (TiVo takes a Freeview HD feed) start to transmit 3D programmes – or at least the odd sports event in 3D, as has happened a little in Australia, Europe and the UK.
While we wait – a few years – for that to happen, TiVo will offer a selection of 3D animations and short films from Yabazam Aussie TiVo users are also getting some 3D movie trailers from Disney).
TiVo says the Caspa 3D category “will grow to include a diverse range of 3D content from DDD’s Yabazam catalogue, featuring everything from animation and extreme sports, to documentaries, indie shorts, comedy and music videos.”
Sigh. With mainstream broadcasters showing zero interest in 3D broadcasts, NBR would prefer TiVo to concentrate on the basics, like finally securing Prime’s electronic programming guide.
Or signing on ISPs beyond Telecom Broadband to support unmetered Caspa content.
Sky TV chief executive John Fellet told NBR that his company's MySkyHDi decoders were also 3D-content compatible. His company had "put some 3D content up there on the satellite" and run some inhouse test broadcasts.
Mr Fellet sees potential for 3D content - especially sports - once the installed base of 3D TVs builds up.
