A big prediction for 3D TVs
As the onslaught for 3D TVs in the home prepares to roll
out, analysts are predicting consumes will quickly embrace the new technology.
Alfred Poor, an analyst with GigOM Pro, says there could be between 28 million and 46 million 3D-ready TVs in homes by 2013 – with up to 2.5 million selling in the next year alone.
It’s a pretty bold prediction. Right now, there’s only one set on the market and it’s prohibitively expensive at nearly $10,000. Panasonic, Sony and other manufacturers will roll out models next year, presumably at slightly lower prices, but beyond the price pain there are other hurdles they’ll need to convince consumers to clear.
3D HD sets still require users to wear special glasses. These not only add to the expense, but people typically feel a bit foolish wearing them – and some complain of headaches. They’re great if you’re sitting in a chair, but it remains to be seen if they’re as effective when you’re lying prone on a couch, beer in one hand and half-eaten bag of chips on your chest. And, unless you’ve got several extra pairs of the glasses , showing off the TV to a large group of friends will be nigh on impossible.
Of course, content providers – particularly the broadcast networks – haven’t signed on to promote the technology yet either. That’s likely to change within the next year or so, though.
Chris Morris reports on the the intersection of Hollywood and technology, as well as the latest must-have consumer technology gadgets.
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Steve is right on the ball.
As for the market adapting to 3D, it may take anywhere up to a solid 7 more years for it to make a real impact for home viewers. For the theatrical market, however, 3D/stereo has already taken flooded the screens. Right now it's mainly animated and horror films, but once legitimate dramas start to be released, this argument will be as dead as the HD one that was prevalent in years past.
I've worked with 3D/stereo for the passed two years and it has opened my eyes, no pun intended, to the world of stereo scopic filmmaking. I was a film school grad taught to love the traditional 2D process but once I got passed the idea that 3D is a gimic and appreciated what it can add to the cinematic experience, I grew to love it.
Posted by: John Grod | 10/28/2009 at 04:30 PM
"Rod" has no clue what he is talking about since he is obviously referring to prior attempts at 3D television using the old analglyphic system with the red/green glasses which works marginally well for B&W images (where color is solely used to separate the images for each eye) but is distinctly terrible for color which must be toned done severely. Modern systems using electronic shutter glasses are nothing like that and are more akin to the 3D you'd see in a movie theatre. There is nothing monochromatic or blurry about it.
I don't expect it to ever become the "norm" for TV anymore than I expect it to for cinema. But I think there will still be a very huge market for it.
Steve Kraus
The Lake Street Screening Room - Chicago
Posted by: filmteknik | 10/28/2009 at 02:26 PM
I couldn't disagree more with this prediction. Obviously, those making this claim have never tried watching a 3D movie on their television set. After 2 minutes of viewing, the novelty wears off rather quickly as the mostly monochrome, blurry images become tedious to watch. There will always be those who will buy the latest technology, however poor it is but this will never appeal to the masses
Posted by: Rod | 10/28/2009 at 12:10 PM