PlayStation®3 is ready for 3D

3D movies and games are coming to PlayStation®3....

The future is 3D, and PlayStation®3 is already there. Thanks to a system update released on April 22nd, 2010, PlayStation®3 now fully supports 3D stereoscopic games. What does this mean? Quite simply, it means that you'll soon be able to enjoy games with the same kind of 3-dimensional depth and clarity as seen in the latest 3D blockbuster films like 'Avatar' and 'Clash of the Titans'. On that note, yes, 3D movies will also be supported on PlayStation®3 quite soon. Upcoming 3D Blu-ray movies will offer the ultimate home movie experience, combining high definition Blu-ray visuals with incredible 3D television technology.

So how does it all work?

3-dimensional (3-D) imaging applies the knowledge that humans see things with two eyes that are set slightly apart, to reproduce a sense of depth in addition to horizontal and vertical information. 3D more closely resembles the way people sense space, creating a new form of visual expression. Because there is separation between the eyes in humans, each eye sees the world from a different angle. If you cover one eye, and then alternately the other, you will see things differently each time - and can perceive the difference in angle. A combination of the individual images seen by each eye creates a perception of depth and dimension in the brain. This is called "parallax", and it is the base on which 3D imaging technologies were created.

When shooting a 3D image, two lenses are used to capture separate images of the same object from different angles. Containing twice as much information as conventional 2D images, 3D images are then edited while maintaining the information from both angles. When the medium is played back, on a 3D compatible television (with the use of compatible 3d glasses), the left-hand image is shown only to your left eye and the right-hand image only to your right eye. These two images combine in your brain to give you a perception of depth and '3D'.

So what do you need?

In order to enjoy 3D games or movies on your PlayStation 3, you will require the following:-

• a PlayStation 3 (with firmware version 3.30 or later, click here to download)
• any 3D television + compatible 3D glasses
• a 3D game or movie (titles to be announced shortly) 

In summary, all things 3D will be heading to your lounge room very soon, and PlayStation®3 is the ultimate device to cater for all of your 3D entertainment needs. Whether it's 3D gaming, or 3D movies, PlayStation®3 will deliver the benchmark 3D experience.

Stay tuned and visit Sony 3D World for more information. See what the PlayStation Community has to say about 3D games in this video, and read about the 3D Games that the PlayStation community are dreaming of playing.

Click here to download the latest PS3 System Software Update and make your PS3 '3D-ready' for stereoscopic 3D games.

Note: Actual release dates for 3D Televisions, 3D Glasses, 3d Blu-ray Moves, and 3D PlayStation games are yet to be announced. Stay tuned to PlayStation.com Australia for more news as it develops.