Home 3-D

[DTLongo]

Apologies if I'm repeating something discussed recently. But do any of you have hands-on experience with home-3-D? I know that 3-D is being ballyhooed by manufacturers and Sound & Vision magazine, etc. as The Next Big Thing. I have been skeptical. But the reason I ask is that last night I began watching 2-D Blu-Ray Avatar on my vintage 2004 Pioneer HDTV 50-inch plasma that isn't even 1080p (it's 1080i). The video clarity and quality were stunning, the best Blu-Ray yet that I've seen, and since the original film was released in 3-D I couldn't help wondering what it would look like at home in that.

So, assuming I'm still around (I'm 68) and might be in the mood to upgrade in say one or two years or whenever my Pioneer gives up the ghost, what do you folks with experience think of the current and prospective state of the art in home 3-D? Tks.

[michael hurd]

I have tried out a demo in a Best Buy when I was in Chicago, IMHO it's far from finished, you can see the shutter rate on the glasses plain as day. Give it 20 years and maybe we will get to something that is watchable IMO.

New isn't always better.

[BluBitRates]

i think that is very far fetched to say it is not watchable. I have seen a demo of it at best buy so i really dont have an at home experience with it. First impression was that it was really good quality! I was captivated by it. Something like 10% of people have a hard time getting the 3d effect and another percentage get a little nauseus while watching it. When you are ready to buy go into best buy and act like a serious buyer and they will give you a good demo. I would want to have atleast a 55'' screen for 3d also. I am eventually going to get it although i will only use the 3d for about 20% of the time. Long story short i recommend it. Also have to give you cudos for being 68 and being interested in home theater!

[CECAA850]

It took me almost a year to decide on my last display purchase. I don't even want to think about another display format.

[Rivernuggets]

I've seen two 3-D movies in theaters so far this year. With both experiences, I had a nasty headache the rest of the day.

I don't think it's for me. When watching a movie (uninterrupted) I don't notice the world around me. I'm totally immersed in what's going on. Don't feel I need 3-D.

Here is a lengthy article about 3-D by Roger Ebert.

[JJkizak]

The AVS forum has a new thread on 3D stuff and it does cover a slew of things.

JJK

[DTLongo]

JJK, pardon me, but where is this "AVS Forum"?

[CECAA850]

JJK, pardon me, but where is this "AVS Forum"?

HERE

[RockOn4Klipsch]

I have an older 3d 1080p HDTV, and it's a neat novelty, the new 3d tvs are really neat, but IMO will have a niche crowd. I hate wearing my glasses, I hate wearing my glasses and watching TV, I would really hate having to wear another pair of glasses.

Until the come up with a design to eliminate the need for glasses, 3d is out for me.

I wish the would make a really great and accurate display with no frills, my speakers do sound, I want my tv to due video.

[edwinr]

For those with the Sony Playstation 3, the latest firmware upgrade means you can play 3D games. In a few weeks Sony will release a firmware upgrade meaning you can play 3D bluray discs. Sony will sell 3D glasses for use with the Playstation 3.

The only thing Sony hasn't confirmed, is whether you can use your current display. I have a Panasonic PT-AE700 projector (a 720p HD model). I would be disappointed if I had to change this projector in the short term. Maybe Sony's 3D upgrade will be compatible with older displays.

BTW, I didn't like 3D at first. But a friend has a new 3D flat screen tv. Watching 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D' is a revelation.

[Bill H.]

Tom,

To me I think 3D will go away........just like the Quadraphonic Stereo Units of the early 70"s did.................

[Boxx]

I agree with Bill... However, time and improvements. will tell the story.

[DTLongo]

According to Best Buy's weekend flyer today the price of admission for 3D (50" screen + 3D DVD player plus multiple glasses package) is north of $3,000.00. That's pretty stiff for what I feel in my bones is a niche product. Maybe it'll be worth a look in a couple of years or so when (if?) prices come WAY down. But not now, I think.

[BluBitRates]

I am pretty sure you can get a 55'' samsung LED plus 3d player and 4 glasses for about $2500. Your first mistake is looking at best buy for price comparison.

[michael hurd]

So we have DVD, HD-DVD that died out, Blu-Ray, 3D discs that may or may not play on a conventional Blu-Ray player ( firmware updates? ), and another format waiting in the wings ( Blu-Ray 128GB BDXL ) that will require yet another player, as conventional hardware will not be able to read or write to these 'extra large' discs.

Don't forget Laserdisc, DVD-A and SACD as well as dead / dying formats.

Format wars suck.

Link to Engadget article on the BDXL disc :

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/25/128gb-bdxl-blu-ray-disc-specification-finalized-and-fabulous/

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today
announced the finalization and release of the specifications for BDXL™,
the new multi-layer recordable Blu-ray Disc™ format with up to 128GB of
capacity. With the completion and approval of the specification,
manufacturers can now obtain licensing information and license
applications needed to begin production of the high capacity write-once
and rewritable discs and hardware (http://www.blu-raydisc.info/).



Targeted primarily at commercial segments such as broadcasting, medical
and document imaging enterprises with significant archiving needs, BDXL™
provides customers with triple layer 100GB RE (rewritable) and R
(write-once) discs and quadruple layer 128GB R discs. Possible consumer
applications include capture and playback of HD broadcast and satellite
programming in markets where set-top recorders are prevalent.



"The BDA worked diligently to create an extension of the Blu-ray Disc™
format that leverages the physical structure of the design of the disc
to create even more storage capacity," said Victor Matsuda, Blu-ray Disc
Association Global Promotions Committee chair. "By using the existing
Blu-ray™ technologies, we have created a long-term and stable solution
for archiving large amounts of sensitive data, video and graphic images.
We expect further growth of the Blu-ray Disc™ market as the
introduction of 100GB/128GB discs will expand the application of Blu-ray
Disc™ technologies."



The BDXL™ specification was developed with specific market segments in
mind, and newly-designed hardware addressing such markets will play back
or record BDXL™ media. However, because the new media specifications
are extensions of current Blu-ray Disc technologies, future BDXL™
capable recorders can easily be designed to play back existing 25GB and
50GB Blu-ray Disc™ formats.



About Blu-ray DiscTM



Blu-ray Disc™ is a trademark owned by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA)
and licensed for use on discs, players and other products that use
BDA's optical disc format for high definition audio-video and high
capacity data software applications. A single-layer disc holds up to
25GB of data and a double-layer disc holds up to 50GB of data.



About the Blu-ray Disc Association



The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is responsible for promoting and
developing business opportunities for Blu-ray Disc - the BDA's optical
disc format for high definition audio-video and high capacity data
software applications. The BDA has approximately 170 members. Its Board
of Directors consists of individuals affiliated with the following
member companies: Apple Inc., Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company,
Hitachi, Ltd., Intel Corporation, LG Electronics Inc., Mitsubishi
Electric Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Pioneer
Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.,
Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, TDK Corporation, Technicolor,
Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures and Television, and Warner
Bros. Entertainment Inc.



Blu-ray DiscTM and Blu-ray DiscTM logo are registered trademarks of the
Blu-ray Disc Association.



BDXL™ is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association.