Avatar‘s success at the box office has 3D technology on everybody’s minds these days. Now, television manufacturers are looking into bringing that same technology to your living room.
Top TV makers including Sony Corp, Panasonic Corp, LC Electronics Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd will feature 3D screen advances at the Consumer Electronics Show this week, hoping the new technology will be as big a boost for the industry as the transition to color TVs from black and white [Reuters]. A few 3D sets are already on the market and retail for around $1,000 for a 42-inch screen (a 42-inch high-definition LCD television costs around $600).
At a time when many households are finally ponying up the cash for an HD LCD TV, some investors are skeptical that people will be willing to turn right back around and buy a 3D television, especially since they require special glasses. Manufacturers are hopeful that consumers that have been slow to jump on the HDTV bandwagon will simply opt straight for the 3D TV when they decide to upgrade. Market analysts think consumers will catch on as well. By 2014, 45% of all U.S. households will have a TV that can handle 3D, up from just 3% this year, research firm Futuresource Consulting forecasts [USA Today].
One major hurdle for 3D TV is the lack of programming. However, that will soon change. Leading the charge into the third dimension will be the sports network ESPN. ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico [ESPN]. Discovery Chanel has also announced it will launch a 3D network sometime in 2011. DirecTV is launching three HDTV channels in 3D in June, featuring movies, sports and other content.
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Image: flickr / Phillie Casablanca
January 7th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Why use an image of red/blue glasses? The new 3D TVs and programming do not use anaglyph to display 3D, they use shutter glasses.
January 9th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I am all for tech in the home. Remember Jaws3 in 3D? You had to buy the glasses at 7-11 to watch it on The Son of Svengouli Show. We marveled at the possibilities (and the headaches) that the future held.
I heard that there is already an Avatar porn scene! Just wait til the V.R. bodysuit comes out, then nobody will leave home.
January 9th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
So heres a thought….why not toss out the glasses and put a 3D lens cover OVER the tv panel???
Then everyone can sit back and enjoy it without the silly glasses to wear.
art
January 10th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Art, the glasses need to be on your face so as to give your brain 2 separate “pictures” that it combines into one and makes it 3-D. If both of your eyes saw the same thing it wouldn’t be 3-D.
January 10th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
I can’t wait for the technology to go up, and the price to come down! Thanks to Vizio too- if they didn’t jump in and radically reduce the price of a TV, we’d still be paying over a grand for that 42 inch LCD. 3D would be off the charts.
July 20th, 2010 at 7:41 am
3D TV are to expensive ! Moreover, and as usual, the actual technology isn’t optimum. Constructors are progressing. My advice: Wait, even, if as me, you are an early adopter !
February 28th, 2011 at 4:56 am
I worked at the Nobel company that sells and distributes water purification plants. Many people are fooled because despite the large financial investmen without clean water. People are inappropriately placed equipment and they are deceived. I have evidence of this because I worked for a Nobel company.
February 28th, 2011 at 4:59 am
I worked at the Nobel company that sells and distributes water purification plants. Many people are fooled because despite the large financial investmen without clean water. People are inappropriately placed equipment and they are deceived. I have evidence of this because I worked for a Nobel company