With the massive marketing push behind 3D TV you've almost certainly heard all the upsides to watching television in 3 dimensions.
Over the last several years, flat panel HD TVs have seen significant price drop. Today, it’s not uncommon to find a 50" flat panel TV for under $1000. Manufacturers originally stated that 3D viewing wouldn’t add any additional price to the TV but research has found that this is not necessarily the situation. The 3D enabled model TVs make up the top tier of most manufacturer's offerings this year (Samsung has the most different 3D capable lines). It seems that many family households just recently upgraded from standard definition to high definition television and HD components such as a Blu Ray player. To go from 2D to 3D requires at minimum a new, expensive television purchase. Consumers may also need to purchase new components although some recent Blu Ray players will be able to download a firmware update that will make them 3D ready. 3D glasses will also be required for each viewer. For a family of 4 this could add up to nearly $1000 in glasses alone. There has been a number of concerns associated with theses new 3D TVs including, lack of content (amount of media compatible for 3D viewing is small), eye-strain, headaches, and nausea. Considering these factors, the question that I pose is whether or not these 3D TVs are as good as they are “hyped” up to be? What are your thoughts surrounding the new advancement on technology?
For more information check out http://3d-tvbuyingguide.com/3dtv/3d-tv-problems.html
I have no desire for the new technology. I wait for the "old" stuff to go on clearance before I buy. I got a great deal on a new flatscreen and speakers this summer (just in time for the World Cup) and am very content. Even if money weren't an issue, I feel like I don't know enough to fully appreciate cutting edge stuff. That said, if you want to splash the cash for a new entertainment system, Brad, I certainly wouldn't turn down an invitation to enjoy it with you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Stephen. I have little to no desire for the 3D technology in TV's. Just in the last two weeks Costco (requires membership though) has a 3D tv display that you can try the glasses on and see what it's like. I believe I was sampling a bit of nature, running water, and then a volleyball game. Regardless of price, I don't this this technology is ready or even very inspiring for mass adoption. From my experience I really don't feel that the 3D viewing was that good at all. In fact, the 3D tv I watched was actually slightly blurry! The colors were also slightly less in contrast and the whole time it felt more annoying than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI think that this technology really has a place though in the video game spectrum. Watching films and 'real life' filmed in HD doesn't seem to jive real well with my eyes in general viewing. However, in playing games, I think players could really benefit from the eye-popping visuals, colors, and movement from the games besides vomiting as a possible side effect!
I don't think 3D tv's are worth the hype they currently have. Brad stated in his initial post many of my concerns that I have. On the obvious side, the eye strain is an issue. Wearing those glasses for an extended period of time could definitely hurt someone's eyes who even have 20/20 vision. That doesn't even count the people who already have existing eye problems. I do know a few people personally who get headaches at times while watching movies in theaters or prolonged television, so I can only imagine what this would do to them. Of course, the price is going to be an issue to the average consumer. But like all other new technology, the TV would be a status symbol. It's new, not many people have it, it may be sought after by many, etc. It will become the Bentley of the television market!
ReplyDeleteI think 3D is going through another trendy era like it has off and on since the 1950s. I really don't think it is practical and if the quality is not great. If the quality gets better over time then I can see some wealthier people buying into the trend for the conversation piece aspect of 3D. I have not seen of of these 3d tv's in real life yet. Somebody, go buy one and we can all find out if it is worth the hype!
ReplyDeleteMy question is, "Does this mean everything is in 3-D?" or "Can you watch only certain things in 3-D" on this new 3-D TV? I don't even go to the movies, so a 3-D TV would be a waste for me. I'll stick with my HD TVs for a while. It'll probably be like anything else...the prices will go down over time, but it still doesn't interest me. Isn't going to the movie theater to see a 3-D movie (when they come out) more exciting than watching one anytime you want...doesn't the novelty wear off?
ReplyDeleteI think 3-d TV's are an extension of already barely successful piece of technology. The 3-d experience in recent movies show glimpses of how cool it would be to have this capability in your living room, but the jacked up prices (17 dollars for a movie) and the minimal effects reminds me that this is completely not necessary. As of now, the technology is expensive, slightly annoying, and limited. This technology is just seems like a gimmick as of now. Its all 'hype'.
ReplyDeleteAs I read your post, I start to think about the evolution that has been taking place in the video game industry. The original game consoles only allowed mediocre gaming capabilities, and now we have the the ability to feel and even use our bodies in interacting with the video games these days. The same evolution is happening within the movie/televsion world.
ReplyDeleteRight now, this new technology may not do very well, but as more movies are produced and shown at theathers in 3D, the more movie watching in 3D will become the norm. As new stuff comes out the consumers natural response is to have the best that is available. This is the reason why I feel that the 3D television will do very well.
I personally don't see the big difference in watching the movie in 3D. As long as the storyline of the movie is well put the together, I wouldn't mine if it were in black or white.
I honestly would not know. I don't think I've watched a big screen TV. I am pretty much like Stephen, I wait to get the old stuff. I hardly ever pay full price for merchandise and I am definitely not knowledgeable about the latest technology. With that being said, they hype about this new technology does not really excite me.
ReplyDeleteMy undergraduate studies were based around 3D modeling and design and am an advocate of computer generated graphics. That being said I really feel the 3DTV concept will be a short lived gimmick. I personally don't care for seeing 3D movies, they seem to be little more than expensive pop-up children's books. Without the ability for the viewer to navigate 3D entertainment they end up with nothing more than the same storyline, but with a headache to go with it.
ReplyDeleteI feel that is this technology really necessary? It appears that there are all of these new costs associated with this technology to include the purchase of a new television and the mere fact that the 3D glasses are not even included in that purchase. In addition all of the health risks don’t seem worth it for just television. However, the technology is interesting and very fascinating, but maybe there needs to be tweaks of some sort made in order to allow its users to not be prone to these issues.
ReplyDeleteAs with most new technologies when they first come out, they are expensive and take working out some bugs. Personally, I've not seen the 3-D TVs but I'm not overly impressed with the 3-D movies I've seen, except for Avatar. All the others have just been more expensive to get into because of having to pay extra for the glasses. I think I'll stick with my HD television.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Diane and mostly everyone else that I’m not too excited about the 3D TV technology. Too be completely honest, I'm fairly new to HD television. I had a flat screen TV for a little while but I didn’t have the HD channels and didn’t have a Blue ray player. It was just this year that I got these components and now I only want to watch movies or TV in HD. It makes so much of a difference for me. As for 3D, I’m not a big fan. I’ve seen a couple movies in 3D but it’s just too much for me. I would hate to watch TV this way especially with the possible side effects.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brad that this technology is all 'hype' at this point. I am completely content with how technology stands concerning television with HD TV. Brandon makes a good point, that it is simply a status symbol at this point. When you consider all the costs that are implied when consuming 3D-TV, it is obviously not ready for mass adoption at this point in time. The risks involved are not worth the value they are placing on them as far as cost is concerned. Owning a 3D-TV simply serves to show others that you have something many people do not, it is the newest "cutting-edge" technology, and as others have also said--is for show. For now, my opinion is that the concept is definitely cool, but the equipment should undergo modifications and more research should be done to minimize possible side effects. Marketing these TVs at such high prices should be interesting to see as far as the return on investment is concerned for these companies producing them.
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