Tsinghua University recently announced its successful development of a three-dimensional video chip called Qinglifang, and that 3D TV sets independently developed by Chinese would be available to consumers in the second half of this year.

In late March, the educational institution displayed applications using the chip. Through a 3D TV set and a 3D set-top box, with 3D goggles, people could feel as if they were right on the scene. There were also applications on mobile phones, where 3D pictures could be viewed without goggles. For the first production of Qinglifang chips, the university will cooperate with Haier and Changhong to jointly launch 3D TV sets using the chips within this year.

According to Professor Dai Haiqiong, one responsible for the 3D vision technology of Tsinghua University, the first products to make it off of the production line later this year will be the first generation, which require special 3D goggles and a 3D TV set. The second generation products will come out in three years, for which existing TV sets could be used with minor changes and viewers might wear very cheap red/green goggles rather than expensive special goggles. The third generation, which is also under development, would allow viewers to watch a 3D TV without special eyewear.