3D TV - Opinions?

flyersfan31

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Freiburgfan31
So, with the new house, I'm looking at upgrading a tv. Looking in the 50" range, figured I'd go LCD, but then I heard about the new 3D technology.

I checked out the Samsung system, with Bluray DVD and 3D at Best Buy yesterday and MAN - it ain't 3D like the old days. They had Monsters vs Aliens playing on the demo disc. I was skeptical. Do I really care about 3D? All I can say is WOW, they really nailed it. Unbelievable picture quality, and the 3D is an integral part of the picture, not a gimmicky add-on. I was really impressed.

Downside: to watch 3d you have to watch with USB tethered eyeglasses that look like standard US Army issue birth control glasses.

The other downside about which I am not sure is the long-term effect of watching the 3D. I watched for about 10 mins and my head felt a little goofy. I'm sure it's due to the 3D frame switching. I'm not sure if you could handle it for a whole movie.

Anyone know more about 3D? Is it the future of TV, as B&W lead to color and std def lead to HD? Or is it a sideline? And does anyone have any insight to the long-term comfort of watching the 3D picture?

(As far as cost - competitive with standard HD tv sets. No real premium, which also surprised me.)
 
I think 3D programming is a long way off from being mainstream. If it cost any extra, or took away from the 2D viewing experience, I wouldn't invest in a set.




So, with the new house, I'm looking at upgrading a tv. Looking in the 50" range, figured I'd go LCD, but then I heard about the new 3D technology.

I checked out the Samsung system, with Bluray DVD and 3D at Best Buy yesterday and MAN - it ain't 3D like the old days. They had Monsters vs Aliens playing on the demo disc. I was skeptical. Do I really care about 3D? All I can say is WOW, they really nailed it. Unbelievable picture quality, and the 3D is an integral part of the picture, not a gimmicky add-on. I was really impressed.

Downside: to watch 3d you have to watch with USB tethered eyeglasses that look like standard US Army issue birth control glasses.

The other downside about which I am not sure is the long-term effect of watching the 3D. I watched for about 10 mins and my head felt a little goofy. I'm sure it's due to the 3D frame switching. I'm not sure if you could handle it for a whole movie.

Anyone know more about 3D? Is it the future of TV, as B&W lead to color and std def lead to HD? Or is it a sideline? And does anyone have any insight to the long-term comfort of watching the 3D picture?

(As far as cost - competitive with standard HD tv sets. No real premium, which also surprised me.)
 
It certainly is all the buzz right now. A couple of months ago we added a JVC 3D TV to our demo room to show that the set-top boxes will pass it okay and at the show last week we used a 52" Sony 3D TV. The JVC uses passive glasses while the Sony uses active glasses. I spend a lot of time on the laptop while I watch TV so I'm having trouble seeing how they would mix. Also differences in methods right now might make it a bit early to jump on the band wagon.

I don't know if you have cable or satellite but when 3D makes it way to regular TV will the UI also be 3D capable so as not to cause a problem when you want to see the guide, recorded list, etc. while watching a 3D program.
 
3D is currently a gimmick, if it is to stay I expect there to be something that makes it worthwhile. That would be content, let's face it even the best big screen super deluxe, extra fine, HD super TV is still showing the same CRAP that is on the less expensive models.
 
Sideline at the moment. I think you'll see HDTV permeate for a while before everyone really makes the jump to 3D. The glasses are definitely another issue. You're tethered to the TV, and guess what happens when you have friends over to watch a movie or the game... Now you need extra glasses ($$$$)

Personally I'm holding out to see if it's really going to be the next big thing or if it's just a gimmick.
 
Before there's a steady stream of 3D content suitable for this system, it will be outdated, most likely. :D
Me, I'm holding out for full immersion... but I'm not so sure I want a socket implanted in the back of my neck. :D
 
Tits on a boar hog.
 
I had the honor of seeing one at Best Buy, and it was unbelievable how awesome it was.

When its not in 3d mode, it displays HDTV beautifully. I can see nothing wrong with it (and the price tag ain't too bad, compared to the HDTVs of about 2 years ago).
 
Wait, they're making 3D TV?

I still have my 52" rear projector TV from 1988 that I bought 4 years ago for $100.
 
It's all about the content. Avatar was a lush, beautifully produced project that explored the use of 3D without being "too 3D" (for example, the typical campy "stuff flying at your face" gimmick).

Some networks are beginning to develop 3D broadcasts, but similar to the HD transition, it will take time for content production/photographic technique to catch up with the new medium. ESPN has had fits and starts with their 3D pipeline, according to published reports.

Personally speaking, I did not purchase 3D with my new HT setup this year. Some content is beautiful, while other content is just "re-rendered" to look 3Dish, without the same lustre that 3D-driven content (e.g. planned to be 3D from the start) has. I'd rather wait for the production pipeline to catch up with technology than be an early adopter. I think that 3D will become the new HD, but I think we have a few years before the content and technology settle down.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
Haven't seen it on TV yet, but by the end of Avatar in 3D at the movies, my eyes seriously hurt, and by the looks of everyone else coming out of the theater rubbing their eyes and shaking their heads, so did theirs. Star Trek in 3D did the same thing to me.
 
I had the honor of seeing one at Best Buy, and it was unbelievable how awesome it was.

When its not in 3d mode, it displays HDTV beautifully. I can see nothing wrong with it (and the price tag ain't too bad, compared to the HDTVs of about 2 years ago).

Yeah, my thoughts exactly.
 
Haven't seen it on TV yet, but by the end of Avatar in 3D at the movies, my eyes seriously hurt, and by the looks of everyone else coming out of the theater rubbing their eyes and shaking their heads, so did theirs. Star Trek in 3D did the same thing to me.

And therein lies the rub (pardon the pun). 10 minutes and I felt funky. I'm not sure it's something your brain can get used to.

OK, it's settled then -- no 3D for now.

Man would a hockey game look sweet in 3D though....
 
eAvatar was the only movie I've seen in a theater in many years and it was because of 3D. I found it very well done and didn't have any of the side effects mentioned.

I am just now looking for an HDTV and it will not have 3D.

After years in the computer business living my life on the bleeding edge I believe that one should "Never buy the A model of anything" unless your livelihood depends on it.

That said if you do buy I would suggest the polarized technology (no usb connection). It will not affect your computer screen unless that is also polarized. You can check with a cheap pair of polarized sunglasses. Just rotate them 180° and see if the screen goes blank.

Joe
 
I bought mine in 2005. Can't see 3D anyway, it would be a waste of money with me I suspect.

Any TV is a waste of money with me since I'm never home, hence why I was only willing to spend $100. :)
 
And therein lies the rub (pardon the pun). 10 minutes and I felt funky. I'm not sure it's something your brain can get used to.
I've never seen a 3D movie or TV but if it's anything like looking through a stereoplotter (instrument used for topo mapping) it's an individual thing. Some people are more tolerant than others.
 
I can't help but think that 3D has been a marketing tool that effectively targets our "pay a little more, get a little more" instinct. It serves one of the most important marketing directives, to take people who are willing to pay more and give them an excuse to do it, without preserving lower-price alternatives for those who won't pay more.

I'm a sucker for this principle, unfortunately, and there's something broken in my brain that makes me think that if I'm seeing a non-3D version of a movie that's available in 3D, that I'm missing out on something. But after having seen several, the rational side of me thinks that it detracts from the experience, that it's a distraction and makes the visuals of a movie "muddled".

Then again, once the next generation of 3D porn on Blu-Ray arrives, I think we'll be seeing lots more parents getting those sets ... so their kids can watch "Monsters vs Aliens", of course.
-harry
 
I think I've read that there will "soon" be TVs that display 3D without your having to wear glasses. I'd wait until that was perfected. In the meantime, a good 1080p HD set should work great. And, the screen can't be too large. For our viewing setup our 57 inch DLP set works great.
 
I think I've read that there will "soon" be TVs that display 3D without your having to wear glasses. I'd wait until that was perfected. In the meantime, a good 1080p HD set should work great. And, the screen can't be too large. For our viewing setup our 57 inch DLP set works great.
Any idea what technology that will be?

There are these boxes sort of like what Bones uses on TV that have multiple lasers. I never did understand what exactly the lasers bounce off of.

Joe
 
Can't speak to the 3D deal but my ex bought a Samsung LCD/LED and the picture is scary crisp and clean. Watched the 3rd period of the Hawks/San Jose game at her place the other night and was mesmerized by the picture quality. It puts my Samsung HD (18 months old) picture quality to shame.
 
Can't speak to the 3D deal but my ex bought a Samsung LCD/LED and the picture is scary crisp and clean. Watched the 3rd period of the Hawks/San Jose game at her place the other night and was mesmerized by the picture quality. It puts my Samsung HD (18 months old) picture quality to shame.

You should be watching the Flyers/Habs --- it's even better!!!!!:D:D:D
 
That said if you do buy I would suggest the polarized technology (no usb connection). It will not affect your computer screen unless that is also polarized.

Note that any LCD (laptops, flat panels, etc) computer monitor is polarized and likely to be affected by 3D glasses.
 
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