3D Television: What’s In It For You?
In 2010, a 3D TV was a novelty item. Or was it? Last year in the US alone, the consumer electronics industry claims to have sold some 4 million 3D TVs. In 2011, prices are lower and the quality better. So should you go 3D now?
What do you need to watch 3D content at home?
First off. A 3D TV. And forget about any thoughts of matching the screen size to the size of your room. When it comes to 3D TV, there’s just one rule – the larger the better. Unless you buy a large screen, the full immersive experience just won’t happen. For best results the screen must fill your field of vision from where you normally sit.
You’ll also need some 3D glasses. Most 3D TVs require active glasses which run on batteries and constantly communicate with the TV. At CES 2011, the first TVs that pair with passive glasses – which can be significantly cheaper, but do not run on batteries or communicate with the TV – like those used in movie theatres were shown. These televisions are a little more expensive, though.
You’ll also need a Blu-ray player that’s capable of decoding 3D content. The price is decreasing and choice is expanding. You’ll also possibly need a new box to handle 3D broadcast. And if you want to make your own 3D content, 3D cameras or camcorders are readily available on the high street.
Finally, if you want everything to work together seamlessly and deliver full 1080p, check that everything you have conforms to the HDMI 1.4 data transmission standard. Except the cables, that is. You can still use HDMI 1.3 connections.
More 3D content
As Hollywood makes more and more 3D movies, we have more and more 3D Blu-ray discs, digital downloads and on-demand content to choose from. But flicking through the 3D Blu-ray racks, you’ll see increasing amounts of non-feature film content, such as nature documentaries, music concerts and studio sessions, sport and other material.
As more 3D broadcast and on-demand channels are launched across the world, the more three-dimensional content will follow and the more you’ll be able to watch on your 3D TV. Currently, broadcasters across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific are offering live and recorded sport, factual programming, music and the arts, and of course, movies through free, subscription and on-demand channels.
Added to this is the burgeoning games market. 2010 saw numerous Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 games released with stereo 3D capability, including the latest from the Wipeout and Gran Turismo franchises. 2011 has planned releases of classic games now enhanced with 3D, including the Splinter Cell trilogy and Shadow of the Colossus, and a number of new games including Uncharted 3 and Crysis 2.
This might just be the right time to get the kit so you can enjoy the 3D experience at home. The equipment works and the technology is proven, and now you can get a 3D TV for not much more than a large-screen HD TV.
GeekBeat.TV – CES 2011 | Elocity 3D TV from Stream TV
|
|
Samsung UN40C6300 40-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED TV, Graphite $1,399.99 The Samsung LED 6300: LED picture quality meets Auto Motion Plus 120Hz Clear Motion Rate technology, with gorgeous results. The 6300s LED Ultra Clear Panel absorbs ambient light and virtually eliminates reflections, for a more comfortable viewing environment. Its beautiful form and function, complementing the most stylish of dcor.Auto Motion Plus 120Hz Clear Motion RateSamsung 120Hz technology all… |
|
|
Sansui DFTV270 27INCH Flat CRT TV Details The DFTV270 receives digital terrestrial and cable signals without the need for an additional tuner. 3D Comb filters analyzes the scanning lines to separate the Luminance (black and white) signal from the chrominance (color) signal, without limiting bandwidth as trap and notch filters do. This allows the TV to process the entire video signal, without a reduction in resolution. In t… |