I am not quite sure how to feel about the prospect of 3D become a real viable format. While I can understand studios wanting to find a way to get people back into theaters when ticket sales have been waning for the past 5-6 years. I am not sure if it is a lack of solid movies, because there have been some excellent ones that have come out in that time period. Truly, it seems like it is the fact that so many movies seem to be coming to screens in recent years, and it is harder to find the gems that are able to rise to the top. Not to mention the fact that TV shows have been enjoying another golden age in this same time period. So many phenominal actors that were considered "to good for TV" have headlined some of the best shows out there right now.
This brings me to really think about the 3D craze that seems to be prevalent everywhere you turn. Not only am I unsure that I have any real reason to buy a new TV in the next 3-5 years, I am not sure that I have been given any real reason when the true 3D tech that I am looking for is not even out yet - glasses-free 3D. By all accounts this seems to be the biggest hurdle, as it is not only an inconvenience, but it is expensive when you realize that several of the glasses can cost upwards of $150 per set. Add on the expensive TV, which I know will come down to much more reasonable prices in 2-3 years, and you have yourself an incredible expense.
The biggest hurdle for me is the simple fact that I simply could care less about this new wave of tech. I loved Avatar as much as the majority of people who saw the movie, and the tech behind the movie was truly stunning. But I have watched the movie again on Blu-Ray, and I have to admit that the things that I thought could not be reproduced as vibrantly were just as spectacular in old 2D technology. Who would have thought that the stunning 1080p presentation would be just as dynamic? Of course I am being facetious here, and it all comes down to the idea that the studios and TV makers are trying to find new ways to get you to buy a new set with all these "necessary" accessories when they were touting for so many years that this last TrueHD set you bought was all you would need for a very long time. I am not fooled here, and this kind of surprises me because I normally am one of the people that is willing to get behind new tech.
It seems that the fact that this is not really new tech to begin with, just re-branded and repackaged, that gets me. Lets face it, 3D has been around for several decades, and it has never been able to get off of the ground every time that the studios have tried to get into consumer's home. I really do hope that this craze can die soon, and leave 3D for the movie going experience in theaters. I have no problem seeing it in this venue as the conditions are much more approachable. While I may dislike the hike in price, at least I have the choice in most cases of which version that I see it in - and I have only ponied up twice now and burned once already. I am not, nor will I be for many years, ready to make the jump when I know that the tech is being developed for glasses-free experience. I am just wondering how many general consumers - not hardcore tech people - buying into the tech right now will be willing to buy yet another TV in 3-4 years when they make the glasses-free TVs available to the mass market. It seems like this is very shortsighted and will bite the tech companies and studios in the rear in the long run.
This brings me to really think about the 3D craze that seems to be prevalent everywhere you turn. Not only am I unsure that I have any real reason to buy a new TV in the next 3-5 years, I am not sure that I have been given any real reason when the true 3D tech that I am looking for is not even out yet - glasses-free 3D. By all accounts this seems to be the biggest hurdle, as it is not only an inconvenience, but it is expensive when you realize that several of the glasses can cost upwards of $150 per set. Add on the expensive TV, which I know will come down to much more reasonable prices in 2-3 years, and you have yourself an incredible expense.
The biggest hurdle for me is the simple fact that I simply could care less about this new wave of tech. I loved Avatar as much as the majority of people who saw the movie, and the tech behind the movie was truly stunning. But I have watched the movie again on Blu-Ray, and I have to admit that the things that I thought could not be reproduced as vibrantly were just as spectacular in old 2D technology. Who would have thought that the stunning 1080p presentation would be just as dynamic? Of course I am being facetious here, and it all comes down to the idea that the studios and TV makers are trying to find new ways to get you to buy a new set with all these "necessary" accessories when they were touting for so many years that this last TrueHD set you bought was all you would need for a very long time. I am not fooled here, and this kind of surprises me because I normally am one of the people that is willing to get behind new tech.
It seems that the fact that this is not really new tech to begin with, just re-branded and repackaged, that gets me. Lets face it, 3D has been around for several decades, and it has never been able to get off of the ground every time that the studios have tried to get into consumer's home. I really do hope that this craze can die soon, and leave 3D for the movie going experience in theaters. I have no problem seeing it in this venue as the conditions are much more approachable. While I may dislike the hike in price, at least I have the choice in most cases of which version that I see it in - and I have only ponied up twice now and burned once already. I am not, nor will I be for many years, ready to make the jump when I know that the tech is being developed for glasses-free experience. I am just wondering how many general consumers - not hardcore tech people - buying into the tech right now will be willing to buy yet another TV in 3-4 years when they make the glasses-free TVs available to the mass market. It seems like this is very shortsighted and will bite the tech companies and studios in the rear in the long run.
