Sony to Convert Older Movies to 3-D Blu-ray

Sony to Convert Older Movies to 3-D Blu-ray
TVPredictions.com

Washington, D.C. (February 3, 2010) -- Sony says it may sell 3-D versions of older movies and music videos on Blu-ray disc as early as this year.

That's according to an article by Business Week.

Studios have already announced that they would begin selling 3-D movies on Blu-ray this year as CE companies launch new 3-D Blu-ray players and 3-D capable televisions.

However, the studios have been expected to issue 3-D editions of films that were shown in 3-D in theaters.

Sony is considering converting non-3-D films of the past to the new format. In fact, the company says it has already begun the conversion process for some movies, although it did not specific which ones would be released in 3-D.

"We’ll probably be able to start next fiscal year, if we can convert them into 3-D with good effects,” a Sony official told Business Week. "Companies specializing in conversion processes are starting up in India and the infrastructure is getting prepared.”

The capacity to convert non 3-D films to 3-D would help expand the list of titles available in 3-D when consumers consider whether to buy new 3-D products later this year. Some analysts who have expressed doubt about the future of 3-D TVs have noted that there might not be sufficient content available in the format to entice people to embrace it.

Business Week writes that Sony plans to sell nine different models of 3-D HDTVs this summer and a 3-D Blu-ray player. The company also will offer a software upgrade that will enable the Play Station 3 to offer 3-D features.