headerphoto

3D HDTV

If you feel like you might finally be getting a handle on HD technology, be prepared to be thrown in the spin cycle again because 3D HDTV is making a run for it. Normally I get excited by new technology, but I really can’t see how this is going to take off. LG recently announced their line of 3D TVs for 2010. The biggest reason I think this is going to fail is that you still need those dopey glasses. They work a bit differently than the old red and blue lenses that you remember, but still, you need glasses to watch TV. Can you really picture a room full of your family and friends all wearing glasses to watch TV? What happens when you run out of glasses? “Oh sorry, I can only have four people over to watch the SuperBowl because I don’t have enough glasses.” Dumb.

The Cowboys have a giant HD screen in their new stadium. They tried to hand out glasses to everyone and show 3D on that screen. They only activated it for a few minutes since most people didn’t put on the glasses and the whole stadium started booing. Some of those who did put on the glasses got nauseous. Awesome.

3D with glasses is doomed to failure. There is supposedly some work being done to support 3D without glasses, but really, how well is that going to work? Plus, you can’t make one broadcast and have it watchable either in 2D or 3D, so you’re left with the chicken and egg problem in addition to the dorky glasses. Thankfully the TVs can turn the feature on or off depending on the content, but who is going to shell out extra dough for the TV feature when there is no content. And what content makers are going to pay to do this when nobody can watch it?

There have been some 3D movies in the theaters and I have yet to see one. Apparently some of the bowl games are broadcast in 3D at movie theaters. I really need to go check it out and see why people even want this.

It all seems hokey, and I’m surprised that the 3D technology is making it into consumer TV sets, but then again, I did think HDDVD would beat BluRay so what do I know?

Published Thursday, December 17, 2009 12:30 AM by bwmartens
Filed under:

Comments

# re: 3D HDTV

Long, long ago, in a land far, far away, you did see a 3D movie. (It was at Disney World, sitting next to Aunt Sandy.) But you are right, it was not a feature length film. I did enjoy the experience, however I'm totally in agreement with your observations & conclusions. The 3D market will never make in the world of HDTV.

Thursday, December 17, 2009 5:52 AM by Dudley

# re: 3D HDTV

I should have clarified. I meant that I've never seen one with the new 3D technology. It's not the red and blue glasses anymore (which I've used a few times.) They are electronic shutter glasses which are synced with the display. They close off one eye at a time so that the screen displays a different image to each eye. It happens fast enough that it doesn't make most people sick and provides a 3D image.

Thursday, December 17, 2009 10:07 AM by BenM

# re: 3D HDTV

I've seen Up and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 3D and I thought it was really cool and definitely enhanced the movie-watching experience (but I would have enjoyed them on a regular screen too I'm sure). But I think it works best for computer-generated animated type movies like these ones and not real life action. I think movie theaters will continue to have them, but I can't really see myself watching with the glasses at home.

Thursday, December 17, 2009 11:59 AM by Andy D