So what’s all the fuss about 3D TV? Why is it so great, and what makes the latest regeneration of 3D better than the numerous others that came before it?
Before I get started, I should probably let you know that I’m am a bit biased against 3D as I am stereo blind. What this means is that I have one weak eye, meaning that my eyes can’t see 3D images. Yes, I was one of those kids with the think glasses and the patch over one eye, even though I don’t wear glasses anymore if I’m tired I still get a creepy looking turn in my left eye.
3D imaging has been around a lot longer than that, going as far back as the early 1900’s and maybe even older than that. It seems that every other film that is released in cinemas is in 3D (which sucks for me) and now to top it off there are 3D TVs popping up in stores, so you can take this eye-popping viewing experience home with you. But is it worth forking out £300+ on a 3D TV or should you wait a while and see if the technology moves on again? Well hopefully we can give you enough information to help you out with that decision. So here is our pros and cons list for 3D TV.
CONS:
1. A decent 3D TV is expensive
At the time of writing the most expensive 3D TV I could find was just shy of £7000. I admit that this was for a 70” monster of a TV but when compared to standard 2D TV of that size there is a difference of around £5000. There are some budget lines of 3D TVs for sale but from experience these are poor quality and liable to software issues. A decent 3D TV will tend to have an extra £1-200 on the price tag compared to a regular 2D model.
2. 3D Glasses
I lose my car keys all the time…. And my phone…. And my iPod. I lose and break pens, I can never find the remote control when I need it. Hopefully I am not weird and other people experience these issues as well. If you buy a 3D TV you will get somewhere upwards of 2 pairs of 3D glasses, which is great as long as you don’t break or lose any, and woe betide if you have more than 4 people wanting to watch something – very few manufacturers provide more than 4 sets of glasses with each TV.
Maybe your family is larger than 4, maybe Auntie Bertha is over for dinner or you and the lads want to watch the World Cup; then you have to fork out some more money for more glasses. There is however a light at the end of the tunnel, as there are some glasses-free TVs on the way, with the first model out now, but then no doubt they will be more expensive again, and you know how I feel about expensive.
3. Not enough content.
What’s the point of having an Xbox with only one game or having the latest Blu-ray player but only one film? So what’s the point of having a 3D TV when there is hardly any content out there? Why not wait a while for the inevitable barrage of 2D films converted into 3D?
3D content is slowly making its way into more areas, with a select few games on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 offering 3D modes, 3D channels appearing through Sky and an ever-increasing range of 3D Blu-rays. We think there’s not quite enough content available just yet to make 3D a high priority feature to consider when buying a TV.
PROS:
1. 3D makes things look amazing!! (or so I’m told)
I didn’t know for years that I was stereo blind, I knew I had vision issues but I didn’t know it would affect my 3D viewing. I spent years staring at 3D images and magic eye books, stunned into silence, not for the same reason as my mates, who all thought it was amazing, but because I just thought it was a bit naff and it didn’t work.
I have since been told by many people that 3D is amazing and improves the viewing experience. When I look back on some of the films I have seen I can see how One Eyed Willie’s pirate ship sailing towards you would be amazing or how the fight scenes in The Matrix would be even more astounding if the chunks of wall seemed to fly towards you as you watched.
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