Samsung: 3D Video-on-Demand Streaming by This Summer

By Steve Smith -- Multichannel News, 5/30/2011 12:01:00 AM

New York — Samsung will begin a 3D video-ondemand streaming capability on its 3DTVs beginning in June, according to Tim Baxter, president of the Samsung Consumer Business division.

Baxter said the capability will begin with 3D trailers and will have a “broad service” offering by later in the year.

Separately, Samsung said the Explore 3D app on its 3D LED and 3D plasma TVs, which are accessible with a single click from Samsung’s SmartHub interface, will offer access to dozens of pieces of free 3D content — all in streaming high definition.

Later this year, Explore 3D will also offer access to paid content available in streaming 3D — including feature films and shorts, plus full-length 3D documentaries. The service is available now on all 2010 and 2011 LED Smart 3D TVs and Plasma Smart 3D TVs. Users simply sign up for a new account via any PC.

The Explore 3D application is powered by Rovi and includes its cloud-based metadata and RoxioNow platform. Rovi currently powers entertainment services for a range of companies, including digital storefronts from Blockbuster and Sears that are also available on Samsung TVs. In addition to supporting Explore 3D, Rovi licenses its interactive program guide, Advertising Services and DivX technologies for use on Samsung devices.

He explained that in the 35 million-unit annual sales market for TVs in the U.S. “20% of that is connected TV” today and that half of that is in the profitable 40-inch and above screen size “sweet spot” of profitable and enhanced TVs.

He noted that 70% of Samsung’s line now consists of smart TVs and the hub enables consumers to go onto the Internet. “We must build an ecosystem for apps. More 3D content is coming … and consumers are demanding it. If we want to grow we must do it,” Baxter said, “to create demand with our retail partners … and bring the experience alive to our consumers.”

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\Steve Smith is editor in chief of TWICE (This Week in Consumer Electronics).