The newest buzz in the world of television these days is the advent of 3D TV.
The theatrical success of movies such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland has generated excitement in a consumer electronics industry hoping to translate this success to the home HDTV market. Indeed, most major TV manufacturers are rolling out 3D capable sets at the top of their lineups.
In order to better explain 3D TV, we've set up this FAQ section to answer all your pertinent questions with regard to this new technology.
3D TV refers to a display technology that allows home TV viewers to experience television shows, movies, games, and other video content via a stereoscopic effect that adds the illusion of a third dimension, depth, to current 2-dimensional HDTV image display technology.
This 3D effect is created by displaying two separate images of the same scene simultaneously, one intended for the viewer's right eye and the other one for the left eye. Both images occupy the entire screen and co-mingle with each other, with objects appearing doubled slightly to the left (or right) when viewed without the aid of special 3D glasses. When viewed through these special 3D glasses, viewers perceive these two images as a single 3D image.
The system is based on a visual process known as stereopsis. Since the eyes of an adult human are about 2.5 inches apart, each eye views an object from a slightly different angle, which aids us in our perception of depth. A 3D TV attempts to recreate this process by presenting two images from slightly different angles which, with the aid of special glasses, are combined in the viewer's mind to create the illusion of depth.
Initial limited demos of this technology indicate it's capable of delivering impressive results under the proper conditions. Except for the difference in screen size, the effect is very similar to that experienced in theaters.
What is unknown at this point is how well this effect will hold up under typical home viewing conditions. Factors such screen size, ambient light, viewing angle, etc... may have a much more detrimental effect than they do in a theater.
The new technology is a huge improvement over the old anaglyph method that most viewers are familiar with from the past. In this older approach, a pair of glasses with lenses tinted two different colors (usually red and cyan) is used to combine two false-color images. This results in the viewer seeing a discolored, lower-resolution image compared to the new method.
The two biggest improvements afforded by the new 3D TV technology are full color and high resolution (up to full 1080p HD resolution for both eyes in the Blu-ray 3D system).
Yes. Viewing video material in 3D on these new TVs still requires the use of special rechargeable battery-operated glasses. However, unlike the passive ones currently used in 3D theaters such as IMAX, these new high-tech 3D TV glasses feature active liquid crystal shutters that block each eye in sequence up to 120 times per second. Electronics contained within these glasses sync with the 3D TV via a Bluetooth or infrared signal.
Everyone watching the 3D TV must wear the glasses in order to see the 3D effect. If not, the image on the screen will appear doubled and basically be unwatchable. While wearing the glasses, room lights and computer screens will appear to be flickering, making it difficult to combine 3D TV viewing with other activities. None of the current 3D TV technologies allow for the display of both 2D and 3D content simultaneously.
Most of the TV manufacturers plan to include at least one pair of glasses with their 3D sets. Additional pairs will probably be priced in the $100 range.
For those people who already wear normal prescription lenses, the 3D glasses are designed to fit over an existing pair of glasses with little or no discomfort.
While most 3D viewers suffer no ill effects, some may experience headaches, eye fatigue or other problems after extended periods of viewing.
Samsung has issued a warning that some viewers, particularly younger ones, may suffer ill effects from extended viewing of 3D TV. Click here for more information.
In addition to a new 3D TV, a new 3D capable Blu-ray player will be required for those interested in 3D Blu-ray movies (except for those currently using a PS3 as their Blu-ray source - Sony plans a software update). In addition, it looks like you might have to replace your HDMI cables to new ones that support the speedier HDMI 1.4 required for full 1080p 3D HD.
DirecTV has announced that its lower-resolution 3D system requires only a free software update to its current HD receivers.
Cox, Cablevision and Comcast will also offer 3D via their current high-def set-top boxes.
Verizon plans to offer 3D with its FiOS service late this year.
Several 3D Blu-ray movies have been announced this year with more on the way.
ESPN and Discovery each plan to launch a 3D channel this year. So far, only DirecTV has announced carriage of the ESPN channel.
ESPN intends to launch its 3D channel with coverage of FIFA World Cup soccer in June. The ESPN 3D channel plans to air 85 live sporting events in its first year, including up to 25 World Cup matches. The sports network also plans to produce X Games 16, the 2010 college football ACC championship, the 2011 BCS national championship football game and college and NBA basketball games in 3D.
In addition to ESPN, DirecTV has announced it will launch three channels featuring 3D content in June. One channel will feature movies and documentaries. Another 3D channel will provide Video on Demand programming while the third will be a free sampler demo channel featuring a variety of content.
So far, Sony, Samsung and Toshiba have indicated their sets will include a 2D to 3D conversion process that will allow viewers to "watch everything in 3D" if they so desire (the viewer can choose to watch non-3D programming in its original 2D format). However, don't expect these systems to match the realism of true 3D content.
Initially, all the major brands plan to include 3D capability only in their top-of-the-line models, so expect to pay a premium for this feature. Look for the technology to trickle down to the mid-tier sets in the next few years.
Not unless you're one of those early adopters who has to have the absolute latest technology or a die-hard fan of 3D. Expect 3D content to be scarce for the next few years at least. In addition, look for the technology to improve and prices to drop with each successive model.
A new non-3D TV will provide years of enjoyment even after 3D TV becomes more mainstream. 3D TV will most likely evolve as a special events phenomenon like watching sports or movies rather than your daily dose of reality TV.
