| << Back |  |
Technically Speaking: Home Entertainment in the Third Dimension – The Thoughtful 3D TV Buyer
By Chad Felix
It’s hardly breaking news that entertainment has proudly gone where no man has gone before–into the third dimension. The founding premise of even today’s chic hardware has been around for nearly a hundred years, with the first 3D imaging for cinema patent acknowledged back in 1936. The illusion comes from stereoscopic imaging, in which two images are presented simultaneously, each intended for either the left or right eye. Special glasses fuse the images together, thus creating the effect of three-dimensional depth. While the basic workings of the technology are simple enough to grasp, deciding if a 3D television is right for you can be a bit more complex.
In the Market
If you are already in the market for a high-end television, the 3D option is a worthy consideration. In many cases, 3D sets cost only a few hundred dollars more than a comparable “2D” television, and if history has taught us anything about technology, this price gap will decrease in the near future. Where they tend to stray monetarily is in the realm of eyewear and appropriate programming.
Cool Glasses
Anyone who’s been to a 3D movie lately probably noticed that 3D glasses have traveled far beyond the red and blue paper specs of our youth. Yet, while there is technology capable of presenting three-dimensional images without eyewear, it will be some time before it is made available on our home sets. In the meantime, you’ll have to choose between active and passive TV sets, each requiring different types of glasses with several pros and cons to consider.
More common to the home front is active 3D television, which makes use of battery powered glasses that generally cost between $50 and $200 dollars per pair. Your TV will likely come with only one pair, so if you have a four-person family, you’ll need to consider finances accordingly. These glasses are not generally universal; not only do active TVs require active glasses, most brands/makers of 3D sets require users to purchase their specific model of glasses. Because of the exclusive relationship between these glasses and the television, active setups experience no decrease in color or image quality; however, the frame rate is halved and may appear sluggish to those with a particularly keen eye. These models are available in many sizes from major manufacturers such as Samsung, Sony and Philips.
Passive 3D glasses more closely recall those cereal box prizes of yore, albeit more durable. They are battery free and substantially cheaper at as low as $5 a pair. Available in two types–polarized and anaglyph–they cause no frame rate concerns, but they do tend to compromise picture quality or restrict the positions from which you can adequately experience the 3D effect. For example, the 3D effect may not be as pronounced if you’re viewing from an angle. Comparatively, passive 3D sets are newer to the market and are currently offered by companies such as LG and Vizio.
Tip: 3D glasses are designed to be worn, as is necessary, over prescription glasses. Additionally, prescription glasses from top brands like Samsung and Oakley are now entering the market.
What’s On in 3D
What’s on, you ask? Well, everything, as 3D TVs aren’t only for three dimensional programming; they are fully functional “2D” televisions that offer both standard viewing and “converted to 3D” viewing. In other words, you can still watch 2D shows in 3D, but this “converted” viewing is notably less impressive than true 3D entertainment. For the full effect, avid 3D viewers will need to acquire a source from which to receive content. Most notable are Blu-Ray 3D DVDs and 3D television channels offered by Disc Network and Cox Communications. The market is far reaching, with channels that include the likes of ESPN, Discovery, Sony and IMAX, but you need not be a film or TV buff to get your money’s worth. Even the Playstation 3 gaming console is getting in on the action with the release of several 3D games within the year.
Narrowing Down the Selection
Right now, the Internet is your best resource for product reviews, customer testimonials and all other things 3D, so use it. Check out sites like www.best-3dtvs.com for some hardware reviews and other resources. Get the low down on current and forthcoming products, and prepare to discuss any further questions with a retailer. Heed reviews–there are plenty, both positive and negative–but most important of all is your own personal experience, so visit your local electronics store and see it all for yourself. Just don’t bring IMAX-sized expectations along! Part of the thrill of 3D in the theatres is the sheer size of the screen. A home experience will be less immersive simply because your television is not fifty feet tall.
Far from the days of comic books and pre-CGI productions, 3D imaging has grown up quite a bit, and regardless of one’s personal opinion of it, it seems like it’s here to stay. For some, this is a game changer; others may still be lukewarm. One thing is for certain: 3D will continue to enchant and dazzle us whether we’re on the town for a film’s world premiere or simply with family in the comfort of our own living room.
