Freescale Semiconductor and RealD working to improve active shutter 3D
Passive 3D seems to be the new home entertainment hotness at CES this year, but that doesn't mean the industry has given up on active shutter. Case in point, Freescale Semiconductor and RealD have announced they're developing an "enhanced 3D active eyewear solution" that combines Freescale's RF4CE platform for the over-the-air 3D synchronization with RealD's switching, filtering, and optical technology. Powered by Freescale's MC1323x System on a Chip, the new system hopes to eliminate many the problems plaguing IR-based active shutter like line-of-sight and of field-of-vision limitations. It should also allow 3D glasses to operate from longer distances, and since it takes advantage of the same radio frequency used by remotes, it could lower overall costs for manufacturers to boot. Keep in mind though that unlike NVIDIA's RF-based 3D Vision Pro Tech, all of these wondrous promises are just talk with no walk -- so we'll throttle our excitement until we can go eyes-on with some actual gear. For all the details hit up the PR after the break.
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Freescale Semiconductor and RealD to Create New At-Home 3D Viewing Experience for Consumers
New RealD active 3D eyewear technology built with Freescale ZigBee™ RF4CE 3D platform powers home high definition 3D TV viewing
2011 International CES
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Freescale Semiconductor, the number one supplier of ZigBee ™ RF4CE and IEEE® 802.15.4 chipsets, announced today it is collaborating with RealD Inc. (NYSE: RLD), a leading global licensor of 3D technologies, on a new home 3D viewing experience. Freescale and RealD are combining their expertise to create an active 3D eyewear platform that provides realistic high definition 3D TV viewing while solving certain technical and cost problems associated with infrared based systems.
"We are proud to be working with the 3D leaders at RealD"
The jointly developed solution uses Freescale's RF4CE platform for the over-the-air 3D synchronization combined with advanced lens switching, filtering and optical technology from RealD, resulting in an enhanced 3D TV active eyewear solution. Freescale's MC1323x System on a Chip (SoC) powers this platform.
"We are proud to be working with the 3D leaders at RealD," said Glen Burchers, director of consumer segment marketing for Freescale. "Consumers are clearly excited about enjoying the spectacular 3D experience in their own homes. This is made all the better with the reliable high speed, two-way communications provided by Freescale's MC13233C SoC."
Many of the consumer 3D solutions shipping today rely on older infrared (IR) technology, which may have line-of-site and field-of-vision limitations and can suffer interference from household incandescent and florescent lighting. For these reasons, consumer electronics OEMs are moving to more reliable RF solutions. ZigBee RF4CE technology improves speed, reliability and signal integrity; enables devices to operate from longer distances and removes line-of-sight and field-of-vision barriers. Manufacturers can use the same radio for RF4CE remote control and 3D synchronization, helping lower the cost and complexity as compared to IR wiring harnesses.
"By working with Freescale to create an RF 3D synchronization solution, we are able to offer consumers a cinema-quality 3D experience anywhere in their homes," said Steve Shannon, executive vice president of Consumer Electronics at RealD. "Freescale's RF4CE technology has been demonstrated to be very robust and reliable and overcomes the challenges of today's IR solutions."
Demo at Consumer Electronics Show
Freescale will be showing a full 3D experience utilizing their RF4CE 3D synchronization protocol and RealD 3D active glasses in their hospitality suite at CES, Jan. 6-9, 2011 in Las Vegas.
MC1323x family for consumer electronics based on ZigBee RF4CE
Freescale's MC1323x SoC device family provides a highly integrated solution with premier processing capabilities and minimal power consumption. The MC1323x family features an 8-bit HCS08 microcontroller, a fully compliant IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver, flash memory, RAM and high-performance peripherals specifically selected and optimized for today's consumer electronic devices. The family allows customers to directly support and use legacy IR functions and devices in addition to RF control and monitoring.
About RealD Inc.
RealD Inc. is a leading global licensor of 3D technologies. RealD's extensive intellectual property portfolio is used in applications that enable a premium 3D viewing experience in the theater, the home and elsewhere. RealD licenses its RealD Cinema Systems to motion picture exhibitors that show 3D motion pictures and alternative 3D content. RealD also provides its RealD Display, active and passive eyewear, RealD Format and gaming technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers and content producers and distributors to enable the delivery and viewing of 3D content. RealD's cutting-edge 3D technologies have been used for applications such as piloting the Mars Rover. For more information, please visit our website at www.reald.com.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com.
Cautionary note on forward-looking statements
This press release includes forward-looking information and statements, including but not limited to: statements concerning the anticipated rollout of RealD 3D technology in 3D displays. These statements are based on RealD's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside RealD's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. RealD's annual and quarterly reports include a more detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
RealD undertakes no obligation to update publicly the information contained in this press release, or any forward-looking statements, to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Freescale and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. RealD and the RealD logo are trademarks of RealD Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
