Apparently even one of the main
proponents of the
3D at home movement is still able to see its shortcomings, as detailed in this
Wall Street Journal article. Prez Fumio Ohtsubo sees a 3-4 year time period before 3D gains wider acceptance, while the company continues to work on implementing it in smaller televisions, portable devices and glasses-free 3D. Combine that with the still miniscule amount of 3D content and the extra expense for compatible hardware, and we can see why Panasonic is unwilling to put all its eggs into one glasses-filled basket. All that aside, this time next year, expect to see 3D highest among the list of features on high end, large HDTVs where contrast ratio, Hz, widgets and other bullet pointed items currently reside.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bilbravo @ Oct 8th 2009 12:50PM
3d, please go away.
John B @ Oct 8th 2009 10:33PM
Why? People people can't stop bitching about the glasses?
I say, "Bring it on -- but keep it an **OPTION**." That way those of us who are interested can enjoy while those of you who are in denial about it no longer being a fad don't have to worry about it.
Andy Sullivan @ Oct 8th 2009 1:26PM
It won't go away because from a marketing standpoint manufactures need a hot button to give folks a reason to keep buying new TV's. PQ has reached a level that just better PQ is not enough reason for people to open their wallets. Jumping from 120hz to 240hz and beyond is not enough of an incentive. If the 3D content is there and the 3D hardware quality is apparent then they may be onto something. I don't think I would want to be an early adapter though.
chief @ Oct 8th 2009 2:49PM
Agree that PQ has peaked (at least in mid to high end sets), but don't believe 3D will catch on until they develop a technology that doesn't need the goofy glasses to work.
Manufacturers should stop focusing on 3D and widgets, and instead work on getting a full browser built in to the TV.
John B @ Oct 8th 2009 10:40PM
What is with you people who bitch about the "goofy glasses"?! Seriously! The ones on the picture even appear to be wireless!
Wow! It's really staggering how you people are complaining about what comes down to a minor inconvenience (assuming that you don't have vision that requires enormous vision-correction glasses).
As long as 3D is an option and not a requirement, then you are under absolutely no obligation to partake in any 3D experience. But stubbornly refusing just because you have to wear some glasses for two hours in the privacy of your own home is mind-boggling.
titolajko @ Oct 8th 2009 1:48PM
All of these people that say 3D is a gimmick and all that have not been exposed to the true potential of 3Dd. If you watched "up" and "meatballs" in 3d u have not seen anything yet. True potential of 3D can be seen in Avatar. I was one of the few that got a 20 minute preview of it in imax 3D and I can easily say I was on that lanet Pandora. This is the first time when I was actually emotinally involved all the way throught the movie because it puts u there. This will be the biggest movie since Titanic. I walked out and was left wanting to see the whole movie because it was mind bending. There has never been a 20 minute preview of a movie and now I see why he did it. You have to see it on imax. The trailer should have not been released before the movie because it does not do it justice. This is why I want 3D, for movies like that. You'll remember me on Dec 18 when Avatart comes out.
miko34 @ Oct 8th 2009 3:09PM
Certain 3D movies are gimmicks, but I am looking forward to "Avatar." Cameron loves 3D, so he should be able to make people's mouths drop.
I have seen "Up" in 3D and I didn't really see the main benefit of that film being in 3D. I know the 3D was meant to be hidden and not jumping out at you all the time, so that it doesn't take us out of the story. Maybe that's all it was, but I think the story was so good that seeing it on a normal 2D screen would've been fine.
I disagree with the grumpy people who want 3D to go away because it gives them headaches. If you don't want 3D, then don't buy a 3D set, or if it comes with it, don't turn it on ... ever. The manufacturers have to keep putting out new sets and we'll have to go through the glasses phase for at least the the better part of the next decade.
I look forward to having a Bioshock game or even Mario Kart in 3D. I owned the SegaScope 3-D Glasses from the Sega Master system about 20 years ago and (even though I was younger) I was still very impressed with them back then. Games are the main reason many people will be buying a 3D TV (at least in the early stages).
kevinp @ Oct 8th 2009 2:14PM
I expect their were people who wanted the "talkies" to go away
and likewise colour or color (as the spell checker seems to prefer) to take a
hike.
It is still way to early in to form a considered opinion.
because not much quality 3D content has been made.
However there are some movies U2 3D and most of the animated cartoons
that are improved by 3D.
you can't compare the sound of the first talkies to a modern movie sound track
and likewise the color of the first color movies.
3D still has a long way to go but I have little doubt that it in 5 years time people will
be looking at normal movies the same way that they look an black & white movies now
Peter F @ Oct 8th 2009 5:56PM
color and audio didn't require any of us to wear awful equipment
popeye9000 @ Oct 8th 2009 9:55PM
@kevinp: "3D still has a long way to go but I have little doubt that it in 5 years time people will
be looking at normal movies the same way that they look an black & white movies now"
I very seriously doubt that. And I don't see how talkies or the introduction of color in movies has any relationship to the fad of 3D.
I really don't care one way or the other if the industry wants to indulge in 3D, but if they don't offer 2D versions (and well done transfers at that) as the standard, they *will* lose my business.
By the way, I love black and white movies.
kevinp @ Oct 9th 2009 12:50PM
Audio = Headphones (not to mention the space a 7.1 surround system may not be easy for everyone to live with)
Some people even wear sunglasses just for fashion.
The relationship is obvious these represent technological improvements to movies.
3D provides a more realistic view of images that have objects in the distance (and therefore a better picture). H.D. provides more detail and so a more realistic image (but I don't see to many people calling this a fad).
I think people tend to miss the more subtle improvements in the picture because of the
in your face 3D effects which depending on the movie may or may not have a place.
Please note I did not say black and white movies are bad I like many B & W movies myself
but if I could only ever watch 1 movie it would be Avatar.
Andy Sullivan @ Oct 8th 2009 3:15PM
Most technology breakthroughs come about when one or more major company's decide to spend the money to bring said technology to fruition. It sounds like Panasonic is taking that route. The only viable option would be developing a screen that requires no special glasses to view high quality 3D. You need to be able to have friends come over and just watch without the need of special goggles, headsets, or glasses. That's the only way it will be accepted by the masses.
Mike @ Oct 8th 2009 4:26PM
30 July 2009
UK Sky TV to launch 3D TV in 2010 following record Sky+HD growth
Sky has announced that the number of customers choosing Sky+HD, the UK’s only high definition (HD) service currently capable of broadcasting 3D services, has increased to 1.313 million following record growth.
Customers have responded in record numbers to Sky’s high quality and great value HD service. Sky has more than doubled the number of HD customers in the last year alone with over 90 customers* an hour joining Sky+HD.
In the next step in the Sky+HD journey, Sky today announced that it will launch the UK’s first 3D channel next year. The channel will offer a broad selection of the best available 3D programming, which is expected to include movies, entertainment and sport. The service will be broadcast across Sky’s existing HD infrastructure and be available via the current generation of Sky+HD
set-top boxes. To watch 3D, customers will also require a new '3D Ready' TV, which are expected to be on sale in the UK next year.
Andy Sullivan @ Oct 8th 2009 5:16PM
In my make believe perfect world Panasonic will offer the 3D version plasma at a good price, then all the networks and studios will piggy back a 3D version broadcast of every show onto the HD signal at no extra charge to the customer. The TV will do the conversion and not the sat or cable box. The TV will have a switch on the remote that allows for changing back and forth between 3D and regular HD. No goggles, headsets or glasses will be needed because the 3D screen will incorporate a triple sandwiched configuration that allows for a perfect 3D image all by itself. It's so simple in my world.
squiggleslash @ Oct 8th 2009 6:15PM
So once 3D is ubiquitous, what third rate annoying gimmick will they then try to introduce, in some attempt to "fix" a medium whose woes and successes actually have to do with the quality of the f---ing content, not the gimmicks?
Smell-o-vision?
squiggleslash @ Oct 8th 2009 6:16PM
BTW is it me, or does that Blu-ray player look like it was made in the 1980s?
T-bone @ Oct 8th 2009 9:55PM
Why does this feel like AM Stereo? Great idea, but everyone needed new equipment for a gain that not all perceived to be necessary.
Do I really want to see survivor in 3D? Or Drew Carey on the Price is Right.
While even the red/blue 3D is a fun experience on my 100" screen I just don't see this catching on.
Maxx @ Oct 9th 2009 1:54AM
Pron will drive this tech just like every other tech. When I can see Stoya riding me at home in 3D thats when I will buy a new TV. :)
David S @ Oct 9th 2009 12:36PM
I'm getting some seriously disturbing imagery thinking of someone sitting in a chair 8 ft from their TV giving themselves a rub and tug while wearing 3D glasses watching Stoya make those ridiculous faces on a 46" Sammy TV.
But I suppose that's one way to take advantage of a Red One 4K camera.
Lazarus Dark @ Oct 9th 2009 7:07PM
In my opinion, for movies like Coraline or Avatar, 3d is the same thing as OAR. It's how the director originally intended. I got Coraline on Bluray, but the 3d version is unwatchable, when a proper true 3d version is available, I will rebuy it.
and I don't intend to buy Avatar AT ALL until it is available in a proper 3d format and I have the proper 3dtv to watch it. I won't even buy it at all in a 2d or red/blue version.
TRT @ Oct 9th 2009 8:50PM
Hey all you 3D fanboys. I guess 3D will only be marketed to consumers who are lucky enough to have 20/20 vision.....or; Will Panasonic and others plan to sell prescription 3D glasses to the rest of us? Count me out!