Skype has confirmed that it is working to deliver 3D video calling for compatible televisions and computer displays. But according to Mark Gillett, Skype’s corporate vice president, it could be a number of years before the technology comes to fruition due to a lack of suitable capture devices.

Not everyone believes in 3D. While some love it, and have embraced the stereoscopic 3D TVs, monitors, and games consoles that have been rolling out in recent years, there are plenty who believe it’s a pointless gimmick that will never take off. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of companies investing in 3D technologies.

“We’ve done work in the labs looking at the capability of 3D-screens and 3D-capture,” said Microsoft’s corporate vice-president for Skype, Mark Gillett, during an interview with BBC News. “We’ve seen a lot of progress in screens and a lot of people now buy TVs and computer monitors that are capable of delivering a 3D image.”

“But the capture devices are not yet there. As we work with that kind of technology you have to add multiple cameras to your computer, precisely calibrate them and point them at the right angle.”

It sounds complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Gillett explains that Skype already has the technology working in its lab, and that it knows “how to make it work.” It is now looking at the devices that are available to determine whether they can support it and when Skype may be able to bring 3D video calling to the masses.

It could be several years yet until 3D cameras are being used for video calling, Gillett said, but in the meantime, “you’ll see much more penetration of 3D on TVs, on computers and ultimately in smartphones, probably.”

• SourceBBC News