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Delegates at this month's Hong Kong Optical Show were advised to be aware of emerging trends that could be used to expand their business.

Stanley Kee, GfK Asia regional commercial director, told an audience of industry professionals that 3D TV 'is going to explode' over the next couple of years. He disclosed the number of major cinematic studios involved with creating 3D projects and the number of 3D films each had in production, which for Walt Disney was 23.

Kee revealed that 3D TV-ready television sets would begin to be sold in retail outlets in the same manner as HDTV sets. With 3D digital cameras already available and 3D camcorders in development, he said there was an opportunity for optics since consumers would need special glasses to be able to view 3D images.

He added that a consumer who wanted the best visual viewing experience would also naturally want the best quality viewing glasses.

In 2008, DreamWorks Animation's chief executive officer, Jeffrey Katzenberg, revealed that the studio was working with Luxottica to produce photochromic Oakley sunglasses which doubled as 3D glasses (News 29.09.08). Despite Katzenberg stating in 2008 that the production of these innovative glasses had reached advanced stages, Oakley told Optician that there was still no release date.

Earlier in November, UK cable television provider Virgin media conducted successful trials to broadcast 3D TV, while Channel 4 broadcast a series of 3D programmes between November 16-20. Sky TV announced in July that it would launch the UK's first 3D channel during 2010.

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