3D HD are we there yet…
The 2010 CES conference has recently been concluded in Las Vegas. One of the big stars of the show was the introduction of 3D HD for the home. This exciting possibility captured the imagination and attention of many of the attendees, but the question remains…is it ready yet?
So how likely is this to be in our homes soon? As with all new technologies these were largely demonstration projects although some may appear soon on the store room shelf. Several different formats for the systems were demonstrated bringing back memories of the multiple format battles of the past, these will be worked out over the next year or so and hopefully we will have a standard format we can all count on and compare.
The format continues the evolution of 3D with remarkable image quality. The big trade off continues to be level of illumination and of course the glasses. The image quality of the glasses free systems continues to be far inferior to that of the systems with glasses. The trade off really is not in question and significant advances are required to get the glasses free systems up to par.
The amount of light emitted by the systems continues to be a serious drawback with the lumens emitted by the systems about 100% less than traditional television monitors. As consumers have repeatedly demonstrated they prefer higher light intensity so they can see images in a lighted room. These new systems really lack that quality, with a much darker image requiring a dark room for optimal viewing.
These new systems are and continue to be a significant advance in out at home technology. They do however have considerable drawbacks as mentioned above. Of course with popular movies like Avatar there will always be early movers that will opt in for these early versions of 3D HD in my opinion the prudent investor should probable wait for these issues to be worked out and the format standardized to ensure your considerable investment will pay off in the end.
In conclusion, great technology with an even higher price tag that is early and probable needs a year or two to mature into a viable technology for the home video enthusiast.
3D Tv: Fad Or The Next Big Step?
The big box-office returns scored by 3D films like Avatar and Up have led the showbiz moguls to foresee that the next giant leap will involve taking 3D to television. It has been foreseen that couch potatoes around the world will be wowed by the entry of 3D small screens into their homes. It's an aspiration that the shift to 3D home systems will be just as much of an upheaval, if not more so, than high definition pictures and digital audio in home theaters. Before you start lining up at your corner appliance shop, however, you may want to check out the status of the 3D world currently, and what it means for home 3D TV.
Broadcasters are starting to race each other to create the next generation of 3D TV programs. A number of content producers are gearing up to provide 3D features over a diverse variety of genres, from public events to musical events. 3D cinema features will now be just as watchable and enjoyable in one's house as in the theater.
Favorite television offerings once broadcast in 2D can be translated into a 3D format. The ultimate result is a much more immersive experience that should, hopefully, have individuals across the globe immersed in the 3D technological breakthrough.
This isn't to say that the 3D small screen is certainly going to be the future of home entertainment. Rather, it might share the same fate as that of the Laserdisc. Honestly, how many of us really need to see programs like CSI, Mad Men or even the evening news in 3D majesty? Moreover, features like Avatar and Up are demonstrative of the finest examples of the innovation - most other works may well fall far short of these parameters of quality. Also, while cinema patrons may be willing to suffer with cumbersome 3D glasses for a few hours, TV audiences may be significantly less appreciative of the requirement to wear glasses. What's worse, 3D televisions will certainly be much more pricy, and the program producers may not be able to adequately supply the outcry by viewers to make it worthwhile upgrading. Likewise, experiencing 3D can induce headaches, even in a movie theater, and compressing 3D into a TV-sized screen could be even more uncomfortable. Home-based 3D technology is still in a prototype phase, so it could take some years for the revolution to gather momentum. For now, it may be more reasonable just to wait and see.
About the Author
For buyers guides, tips, help and advice about
3DTV
in the UK, including the latest makes and models, prices, specifications and release dates, check out
3D TV Reviewer
.