This week at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in Las Vegas, THX is partnering with Microsoft, Level 3, Inlet Technology and TVN GROUP to demonstrate 3D streaming content. That’s right, 3D streaming content. There’s a good chance that 3D movies, sports and TV programs will be streamed to a PC or TV near you in the not too distant future. And Microsoft is betting that its Silverlight application development platform will be tapped by studios and other content providers to drive the 3D streaming revolution.

At NAB, THX® Media Director™ will be integrated with the Silverlight 3D demo to automatically configure and switch the home theater system between 3D and 2D playback settings as content is streamed live.

THX Media Director uses descriptors in the form of metadata to communicate 3D and 2D formats, picture size, sound encoding and other information to HDTVs and sound systems, enabling them to select the correct playback features automatically. This simplifies the user experience, making it so you don’t have to constantly pick up the remote to switch between 2D and 3D playback modes, aspect ratios and other settings.

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The Live 3D HD Video Demo features all THX Certified gear from Panasonic, Onkyo, Sonance and Pioneer. Check it out in Microsoft booth # SL220.

For more information view the THX press release.

Phil Hinton and David Mackenzie of the AV Forums visited THX after CES in January to uncover the “secret sauce” behind THX testing and certification.

With more than 4 million monthly visitors, AV Forums is the UK’s most popular online community for electronics and home theater enthusiasts. Everyday, Hinton and his colleagues review new displays, receivers and speaker products, moderate forums discussions and produce behind-the-scenes video tours of studios and manufacturing facilities.

During their visit to THX, AV Forums interviewed Rick Dean, Andrew Poulain, Laurie Fincham and other THX experts about the standards behind THX Certified Cinemas and Displays. They also learned a bit more about THX Media Director, a new technology for simplifying AV setup and operation.

Check out the latest AV Forums THX interviews at AVforums.com