Motorola Intros 3D TV Set-Tops for Cable

The Mobile Devices and Home business of Motorola has announced software enhancements for its DCX line of set-tops that represents a breakthrough in 3D video processing.  By enabling 3D content to be processed in the set-top before delivery to the 3D-capable TV, consumers will no longer be confused by having to use remote controls and access on-screen menus to configure the set-top and TV every time a channel change involves switching between 2D and 3D video.

Furthermore, all of this is done while maintaining the visual integrity of emergency broadcast messages, closed captioning or on screen displays while 3D video is playing. Although frame-compatible 3D content can be passed through deployed set-tops and viewed on 3D TVs today, accessing the set-top on-screen guide and menu while watching 3D content provides an unsettling experience for the consumer.

Motorola addresses these deployment challenges with the following functionality: 

• 3D format detection: The 3D TV processing software automatically detects the presence of 3D content and identifies the type of 3D format used to ensure proper delivery and display on the 3D TV. As a result, the consumer will be able to seamlessly switch between 2D and 3D channels. Additionally, the set-tops support 3D TV over both MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, and they are capable of 1080p24/30 output. 

• Content reformatting: Upon detection of 3D content, the set-top automatically reformats all on-screen text and graphics to match the incoming 3D format so that they can be correctly displayed by the 3D TV set. The 3D processing software supports all on-screen displays, including closed captioning, emergency alerts, application graphics and text overlays as well as existing EPGs and applications.

Motorola will be demonstrating these new 3D TV-enabled set-tops in its booth at the 2010 NAB Show in Las Vegas, NV, April 12-15