Are You Ready for 3D?

There has been a lot of buzz and advertising surrounding 3D TV, and manufacturers are betting that consumers will flock to their favorite electronics store to drop their hard-earned money for an immersive 3D experience. Whether you are ready for it or not, 3D TV is here and more is coming very soon.

The first 3D-capable HDTVs were demonstrated in early January 2010 at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The reviews of these new TVs have been mostly positive with a wait-and-see reservation. We have to admit that we too were very excited and a little astonished the first time we saw a 3D TV demonstration. We oohed and awed as the fish seemed to leave the TV screen in full HD resolution. It was not quite as good as the experience you can get at the local theater with movies such as "Avatar" and "Toy Story 3," but it is still very impressive. Knowing that this is still relatively new technology, we can assume that the 3D world of TV and cinema will only get better in the months and years to come.

Whether you want it or not, chances are your next new HDTV will include 3D capability. This does not mean that you will be forced to watch 3D programming if you don't want to. The 3D capability is just a new feature being added to new HDTVs. If you don’t want to use the 3D features, you don't have to. The functionality can be turned off so you can view  programs in 2D if you want to. If you decide not to use the functionality, you can rest assured that you are getting the best full-featured HDTV currently on the market.

What Do You Need to Watch 3D Programming?

The most effective 3D viewing throughout the years has required the viewer to wear some sort of glasses to create the illusion of depth. The new technology in the 21st century version is no different. If you want to see 3D TV or movies in your home you will have to wear a pair of 3D glasses. These are not your father's red and blue cellophane glasses. Instead, these are high-tech active shutter glasses that synchronize with your 3D TV signal to create an astonishing, clear and detailed illusion of three dimensions.

All of your friends and family who want to watch 3D TV with you will each require their own set of active shutter glasses. Without the glasses all you will see is a distorted, blurry and unwatchable image. Some TVs come with one or two complimentary active shutter glasses, while others do not include any. At anywhere from $150 to $200 per pair, a family of four can expect to spend $600 to $800 in addition to the thousands of dollars spent on the TV itself. You'll also want to be very careful with your active shutter glasses – scratching the lens will inhibit the effect.

In addition, you need some kind of emitter that will sync the 3D images with your active shutter glasses. The newer 3D TVs have this emitter built in. This means that the active shutter glasses are proprietary to the manufacturer of the 3D television. If you have a Panasonic TV, only Panasonic's active shutter glasses will work with it. Your friend can't bring his Sony active shutter glasses and expect to watch the Super Bowl in 3D on your Panasonic TV.

If your TV does not include a built-in emitter, you will need to buy a standalone emitter and compatible active shutter 3D glasses. Some emitters are included in a 3D starter kit that may include one or two pairs of glasses and a 3D Blu-ray movie.

If you want to watch DVD content in 3D, you must have a 3D Blu-ray player. There are currently no 3D features available with regular DVD players or DVD movies. The 3D Blu-ray player you choose must be compatible with your 3D TV and your active shutter glasses.

Is 3D TV Ready for You?

As of this writing, 3D TV is not quite ready for you. The technology is there and is ready to purchase, but there is not very much content to view. In June 2010 ESPN launched a new 3D TV channel that broadcasts live events such as soccer and football in 3D. Unlike other ESPN channels, the channel does not provide 24/7 programming, so you may have to wait a week or more between events that are broadcast in native 3D.

If you really enjoy wearing the active shutter glasses and want to watch all of your programming in 3D TV, some of the TVs include a feature that converts the existing 2D signal into a simulated 3D signal that adds depth to the picture. This depth is not nearly as impressive as content that is created specifically for viewing in 3D, but it is watchable and may satisfy you until the next 3D soccer match is available.

Speaking of soccer, we find it interesting that ESPN chose soccer to showcase its 3D TV capabilities to the world. Soccer is not really an immersive viewing experience because the games are usually shot from a fairly static and wide angle. A sporting event in which the action comes right at the camera would have been a better choice.

We assume that Hollywood will be watching this new TV trend very closely to see how well the consumers adopt it. If demand rises, the availability of content will also rise. As content rises, producers and directors will no doubt find better and less expensive ways to bring 3D images into your living rooms.

Can You Handle 3D?

Watching 3D TV is not for everyone. Many of the manufacturers of 3D TVs and the active shutter glasses issue warnings saying that people with a history of epilepsy or strokes should not watch 3D television because exposure to flashing lights could cause seizures. In addition, there are warnings that the 3D effect can cause dizziness, altered vision, involuntary movements such as eye or muscle twitching, confusion, nausea, loss of awareness, convulsions, cramps, and disorientation. The warning on Samsung TVs says that you should not watch 3D TV if you are in bad physical condition, need sleep or have been drinking alcohol.

People who wear corrective lenses may also find that wearing the active shutter glasses is uncomfortable and a little disorienting. If you do happen to experience dizziness, nausea, or other discomfort while viewing 3D images, use some common sense and take off the glasses to rest your eyes.

No matter what your feelings are about 3D TV, it is here and it looks like it is here to stay for the foreseeable future. However, you are still free to choose whether you will watch 3D on your new TV. Let us help you make the right 3D TV choice for you and your family. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™