Broadcom and RealD Collaborate to Bring Bluetooth Technology to 3D Glasses

Broadcom Bluetooth technology allows a greater sense of freedom for wearers, with no line-of-sight restriction and much longer battery life than glasses based on other technologies, including infrared (IR) and other radio frequency (RF) based 3D glasses.



Broadcom and RealD plan to demonstrate how Bluetooth can transform the home 3D experience with technology demonstrations at the CES tradeshow in Las Vegas, January 6-9, 2011.



Highlights/Key Facts:



* 3D continues to grow in popularity among consumers as a new and exciting way to enjoy an enhanced television viewing experience, with 35 million 3D-enabled televisions and home consumer electronics devices expected to be sold in 2014, according to market researcher ABI. With an expectation of 2 to 4 glasses sold per 3D TV, this is a market potential of 140 million 3D glasses.

* Of the various technology approaches that currently provide the 3D experience in the home, so-called active 3D glasses are the most prevalent.

* Serving as a reliable and convenient wireless connection between the 3D glasses and the associated device, Broadcom Bluetooth technology allows the active 3D glasses to synchronize its shutters with the action on the screen to create a 3D effect for the viewer. This technology is being adopted by RealD because it provides several advantages over other 3D approaches that rely upon IR technology to connect the glasses to digital televisions:

o The Bluetooth standard includes a unique clock synchronization feature that allow 3D glasses to maintain synchronization with a 3D TV with substantially fewer updates, reducing power needs and prolonging battery life over competing IR glasses.

o In addition, Broadcom (a leader in innovative Bluetooth implementations for consumer electronics applications) has developed proprietary technology that it has integrated into its Bluetooth products designed specifically to reduce power requirements of 3D glasses, optimizing its products to deliver a compelling user experience.

o Because Bluetooth uses radio waves rather than light waves to connect to other devices, it avoids any line-of-site restrictions or interference from other household light sources (such as fluorescent bulbs, among others).

* RealD is a leading global licensor of 3D technologies. RealD's extensive intellectual property portfolio is used in applications that enable a premium 3D viewing experience in the theatre, the home and elsewhere.

* Broadcom® Bluetooth technology has a long history in CE devices, enriching the consumer user experience, with millions of Broadcom chips and software already shipping in some of the industry's most popular video game consoles, digital televisions, remote controls, Blu-Ray players and set-top boxes.





Supporting Quotes:



Craig Ochikubo, VP, Broadcom's Wireless Personal Area Networking line of business



As Bluetooth continues to expand into the consumer electronics arena, it consistently delivers a more innovative, intuitive and exciting user experience. Our collaboration with RealD is the latest example of how our wireless technologies continue to redefine the CE experience, now delivering an enjoyable 3D experience with the broadest array of home electronics devices.



Steve Shannon, Executive Vice President of Consumer Electronics, RealD



Our active 3D glasses technology is made even more compelling by the addition of Bluetooth, which provides a reliable connection between the glasses and other electronics, and Broadcom's experience in CE user experience provides us confidence that the technology will be popular with consumers. We look forward to further developing this technology and bringing products to this fast growing market segment.