Panasonic and XPAND 3D announce new M-3DI 3D glasses standard

Both Panasonic and XPAND 3D announced earlier today that they have created a new standard for 3D active-shutter based glasses, with the aim of creating a universal standard that can be used across 3D TV’s, computers, home projectors, and Cinema projection.

A number of big 3D related companies have already put their support behind the M-3DI standard, including Mitsubishi, Hitachi, ViewSonic, Seiko Epson Corp and many others. This could well be the first step in what is likely to be a long journey for the companies aimed at creating an easy to use 3D glasses standard for both consumers and electronic companies.

According to the press release, the licensing for M-3DI will begin next moth and provide, what they call a communication protocol between 3D active-shutter eyewear and 3D based TV’s, projectors, computers and Cinema systems that are XPAND compatible.

A big issue in the 3D consumer world right now is 3D eyewear, not only are they overly expensive in some cases, active-shutter based 3D glasses from manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic will not work with competing companies TV’s. This means that friends can’t bring 3D active-shutter glasses to a friends house if they have a different 3D TV than their own.

Maria Costeira, Chief Executive Officer for XPAND 3D said “M-3DI eliminates confusion, provides a strong, uniform performance standard and ensures that manufacturers can concentrate on innovation and consumers can count on interoperability. Now, with M-3DI glasses, consumers can enjoy the most advanced, immersive 3D experience in XPAND 3D cinemas, on the laptop or in the workplace or school! We are pleased to join the other participants in M-3DI to ensure that the amazing potential of 3D is achieved in every imaginable 3D application.”

A move to a universal standard could help to accelerate 3D uptake in the home, especially now that XPAND 3D has been praised for the high quality of their 3D glasses that they recently released, while Panasonic’s 3D TV’s have long been considered among the best in terms of quality and the lack of crosstalk/ghosting shown on screen.