Sony to revamp movie classics for 3D era

Sony is planning to take old movies, convert them into 3D and bung them out on Blu-ray Disc, all in a bid to boost consumer interest in 3D TV technology.

The move - which to many film buffs will recall media companies' past efforts to colourise black-and-white classics - could kick off as early as April.

"We'll probably be able to start next fiscal year, if we can convert them into 3D with good effects," Joe Nakata, a deputy general manager for Sony's 3D strategy unit, told a Tokyo press conference this week, Bloomberg reports.

Sony's current fiscal year ends on 31 March 2010.

Nakata said 2D-to-3D conversion companies were springing up - especially in India, apparently - to capitalise upon studios' desire to turn the public on to 3D.

As with any new home entertainment technology, content is key to consumer uptake. There have been a number of recent hit movies in 3D, and this summer's football World Cup will be recording in 3D, but punters are going to want to be sure they can watch a lot more content than that if they're to invest in a new TV and a new disc player.

Many HD TV and Blu-ray Disc player makers, for example, used last month's Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) to announce upcoming kit capable of converting existing DVD and BD movies into 3D on the fly. ®