Is 3-D TV Doomed?

[Woochifer]

Smoke,
I have to agree with Wooch on this. The manufacturing infrastructure of 3D is developed, and already improved upon. In every area of 3D from the glasses(passive and active), to the television(and everything in between), from post production to video and broadcast, they are already working on how to improve it in every way.

The studio side is a different story. They need to change their focus from releasing everything in 3D, to making 3D a special event. It is apparent that the consumer is reaching a tipping point. It has now settled into a consistent 60-40 ratio with 2D versus 3D, so 3D is beyond the gimmick stage, and shows no sign of failure. What is certain on the studio side is 3D is not the success they wanted it to be. One thing is for sure, certain studios are doing better with their 3D releases than others, so this may not be an industry wide trend, but just a reflection on how the studio is handling their 3D releases. Bad post production 3D will get panned and not do well on the market. Good 3D, story, and overall experience will make money.

One thing is certain, the studios and the consumer electronics industry really made a goof up on this one. In this economic climate, you cannot charge a hefty premium, and expect folks with little or no money to buy it up. This was the right technology released at the wrong time.

I think the 60-40 split is more an outcome of the fact that 3D screenings continue to charge higher ticket prices than the 2D screenings. I think that if consumers are given a choice between 3D and 2D, more of them would opt for 3D if the ticket prices were the same or closer than they are right now.

I see this as no different than when 70mm and six-channel "stereophonic" sound were initially pitched as roadshow events, and eventually settled into neighborhood movie theaters. Granted, not every theater equipped for 70mm projection received 70mm prints on a regular basis. But, once 70mm went beyond the roadshow stage with reserved seating and higher ticket prices, it became relatively just another enhancement.

A better example is probably Dolby Stereo, THX, and digital sound. Those enhancements changed how people experienced movies, but theaters did not charge extra for those screenings with the enhanced sound. I see 3D heading in that direction by necessity.

[Roger Red Hat]

freind of mine has a 3d tv, and if im honest i was blown away whilst watching a space documentry, very cool!

[markw]

If 3D becomes a no-cost extra that's included as standard on all TV's and media players, I believe it will find a place in the home. As long as they continue to offer 2D movies that can be viewed sans glasses, I think it'll be accepted, just like HDCD is still around, but who really cares? SACD finally found a happy home in Blu-Rays and it's been a relatively unknown option* for years on redbook DVD's.

Will stores continue to offer dual inventories, 2D and 3D, or will they try to "force" the issue by slowly stopping 2D movies? That's my fear, but by then I think streaming will have taken it's toll on the shiny disc market anyway.

* at least as far as Joe Sixpack is concerned.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

If 3D becomes a no-cost extra that's included as standard on all TV's and media players, I believe it will find a place in the home. As long as they continue to offer 2D movies that can be viewed sans glasses, I think it'll be accepted, just like HDCD is still around, but who really cares? SACD finally found a happy home in Blu-Rays and it's been a relatively unknown option* for years on redbook DVD's.

I think it will succeed because they are in some cases unbundling the accessories for 3D, which drops the price a bit. You essentially have a 3D ready TV, and can upgrade to 3D later by adding the accessories.

Will stores continue to offer dual inventories, 2D and 3D, or will they try to "force" the issue by slowly stopping 2D movies? That's my fear, but by then I think streaming will have taken it's toll on the shiny disc market anyway.

* at least as far as Joe Sixpack is concerned.

These days they are bundling the 3D and 2D movies together along with the DVD, so they don't have issues with dual inventory. You can have the 2D, the DVD, and the bundled package.

[markw]

I've noticed a three tier system lately, and the price increases as you go up the ladder.

One had yer basic DVD, which is the cheapest, followed by the mid-priced Blu ray and topped off with the most expensive of the three, the 3D Blu-ray disc.

While "combo packs" do exist fo the first two whereby the physical DVD is practially thrown in for free with the purchase of the Blu-ray, cheapskates still have the option of saving a few $$ by just buying the plain Jane DVD alone. I hope these options remain.

I've never bought a 3D so I have no idea what's included in that package.

[Smokey]

While "combo packs" do exist for the first two whereby the physical DVD is practially thrown in for free with the purchase of the Blu-ray, cheapskates still have the option of saving a few $$ by just buying the plain Jane DVD alone.

I'm still wondering why they bundle DVD with Bluray disc in the first place. I mean if you have the bluray disc, why would any one want the DVD version also.

[Woochifer]

I'm still wondering why they bundle DVD with Bluray disc in the first place. I mean if you have the bluray disc, why would any one want the DVD version also.

Props up the price point, reduces the need for retailers to maintain dual inventories, and gives consumers the option to use the DVD for their spare bedroom, car, laptop, or any other place where they they watch movies and don't yet have a Blu-ray player.

If you have kids, you'll understand that last point. I only have HDTV and Blu-ray in one room. If my wife or daughter want to watch something in the spare bedroom or on the portable DVD player when we're traveling, the DVD copy is essential.

[Mygaffer]

Well it may be the fact that I don't know, 3d sucks and is a gimmick we don't need.

I don't know about you folks but I don't want to pay a premium, either at the box office or at the register in the case of 3d TV sets. I don't want to wear glasses, especially as I already wear glasses. But even over my glasses the 3d works. It just sucks. I find it horribly distracting from the movie or in a best case scenario barely noticeable. It was cool for all of 15minutes but we've been down this road before, albeit with weaker technology.

We don't need 3d. We have a lot of visual cues to give us depth information without being tricked into seeing depth information that isn't there. When I can plug a cable directly into my brain and access content that way I'll sign up, until they just increase resolution, color gamut, viewing angles, and reduce latency, and pixel pitch and I'll keep buying new TV's every several years.

Will stores continue to offer dual inventories, 2D and 3D, or will they try to "force" the issue by slowly stopping 2D movies? That's my fear, but by then I think streaming will have taken it's toll on the shiny disc market anyway.

* at least as far as Joe Sixpack is concerned.

Hahaha, don't worry, they can't force the issue, 3d is no where near popular for them to do away with 2d movies, their sells would plummet.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Well it may be the fact that I don't know, 3d sucks and is a gimmick we don't need.

I don't know about you folks but I don't want to pay a premium, either at the box office or at the register in the case of 3d TV sets. I don't want to wear glasses, especially as I already wear glasses. But even over my glasses the 3d works. It just sucks. I find it horribly distracting from the movie or in a best case scenario barely noticeable. It was cool for all of 15minutes but we've been down this road before, albeit with weaker technology.

We don't need 3d. We have a lot of visual cues to give us depth information without being tricked into seeing depth information that isn't there. When I can plug a cable directly into my brain and access content that way I'll sign up, until they just increase resolution, color gamut, viewing angles, and reduce latency, and pixel pitch and I'll keep buying new TV's every several years.


Hahaha, don't worry, they can't force the issue, 3d is no where near popular for them to do away with 2d movies, their sells would plummet.

Interesting observation that flies in the face of real facts on the ground.

[Mygaffer]

Interesting observation that flies in the face of real facts on the ground.

Care to elaborate? Because all I really said was that I don't like 3d and I said why I don't.

Don't be sad that 3d is going away. I know you have invested a lot of your own self worth and identity in your nice 3d TV but don't worry, it will be an interesting relic to show friends, if you have any, like your Laserdisc player.

But if you want a long list of reasons to refute, try these:
*10 Reasons Why People Won't Watch 3D TV
Why 3D doesn't work and never will. Case closed. - Roger Ebert's Journal

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Care to elaborate? Because all I really said was that I don't like 3d and I said why I don't.

I don't really care about your personal perferences, but when you say this

We don't need 3d

I would say YOU don't need 3D. You can't speak for me of anyone else.

Don't be sad that 3d is going away. I know you have invested a lot of your own self worth and identity in your nice 3d TV but don't worry, it will be an interesting relic to show friends, if you have any, like your Laserdisc player.

So where is your evidence it is going away? This is more ignorance than fact. All of my 3D equipment plays 2D as well, so why would they be a relic? 3D disc are still being reproduced, so content is there. The studio I work for continues announce 3D titles, and so do the other Hollywood studios

My self worth and identity invested in 3D? Please tell me that you are being a comedian and that was a joke. My identity nor my self worth cannot purchase anything, my money does that.

But if you want a long list of reasons to refute, try these:
*10 Reasons Why People Won't Watch 3D TV
Why 3D doesn't work and never will. Case closed. - Roger Ebert's Journal

You are going to present opinion pieces as facts???? Nope, try again.....Phillip Swan has not been right about anything when it comes to home video in years. He predicted that HD DVD would win the format war, and see how that came out. He does not even factual with his 10 point criticism of the format. 3DTV not easy to use, can only seen from a rigid angle? BS, I just put on my glasses and push a button and we are ready to go. Easy enough. I have no problem viewing 3D from 15 seats in my theater, so much for the rigid angle. Not much to watch, well he said that when Bluray and HD DVD hit the market, and now there are thousand of titles - you have to start from somewhere right?

Ebert reviews movies, not technology. So his comments on the technology can be taken with a barrel of salt.

[Mygaffer]

Terrance I have noticed in a lot of posts that you don't play well with others. Personality defect? Anyway, 3d will stay around as extra feature but with lower home sales than 2d versions we are going to see 3d fit into a small niche. So great if you like it. I still predict it won't be a large part of the overall movie market. We'll see who is right in 10 years.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Terrance I have noticed in a lot of posts that you don't play well with others. Personality defect?

Dude, don't write a check your ass can't cash. I don't play well with ignorant folks who try and posture like a knowledgeable person. If you are not one of the folks, I suggest you stay with the topic at hand, and leave my "play with others" out of this. Cool?

Anyway, 3d will stay around as extra feature but with lower home sales than 2d versions we are going to see 3d fit into a small niche. So great if you like it. I still predict it won't be a large part of the overall movie market. We'll see who is right in 10 years.

3D was not introduced to replace 2D viewing. It was introduced as an enhancement to 2D viewing - hence why both can be on the same disc. With some movies it does not make any sense to capture in 3D in the first place. I take prediction coming from people on these forums with a bucket of salt. There were some here that predicted that HD DVD was going to beat Bluray, and see how that turned out. There were some here that said that SACD was going to be beat out by DVD-A. DVD-A is long gone, and they are still releasing SACD's. I prefer to let things play out as they will, and skip the online guessing.

[bleachershane]

It does nothing for me, wearing glasses at home just to watch some shoddy 3D

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

It does nothing for me, wearing glasses at home just to watch some shoddy 3D

It is obvious you have not seen 3D at home, so your comments are pretty much useless.

[markw]

In all honesty, the priest has been called and I truly believe it's taking it's last breaths even as we speak.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

In all honesty, the priest has been called and I truly believe it's taking it's last breaths even as we speak.

The life is not over until the last breathe is taken. This could take awhile, so I hope the priest is patient.

[markw]

The life is not over until the last breathe is taken. This could take awhile, so I hope the priest is patient.

He just comes in, does his thing, leaves, puts it out of his mind, and moves on with the rest of his life. Kinda like the rest of the world has already done on this matter.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

He just comes in, does his thing, leaves, puts it out of his mind, and moves on with the rest of his life. Kinda like the rest of the world has already done on this matter.

He cannot do that until the person is no longer breathing. SACD's are still being released, hence why your comments are just a bit premature. DVD-A is offically dead, there are no longer any releases.

[kelsci]

Sir Terence, I personally cannot vouch for 3-D since I am unable to get out to the stores to see examples; however my brother gets out and was very impressed from what he saw; he thought it was terrific. That did not mean he is running out to buy a 3-D tv though his next one will be 3-d ready.

[Mingus]

My next tv will be 3D since the price gap is shrinking. I lean toward 2D but if 3D takes off I'll be all set. I already have a 3D bluray player.

[GMichael]

I plan on upgrading my projector from 720p to 1080p. It will be 3D ready as well.

[L.J.]

Will be keeping my current setup for a few more years, maybe even longer. I have more interest in improving audio so my Sony is staying til it blows up......

[E-Stat]

According to a recent New York Post article that quotes several TV pundits and industry insiders, few are optimistic about 3D TV's future.

I think such determinations are premature. Unlike MC audio, the major studios are behind it. If the disc you buy supports 2D and 3D, then why not? The hardware follows software availability. Just like - er porn advanced 80s VHS technology, it may be that gamers end up saving 3D. Ever see the IMAX film, Space Station? Not only was that 3D (and pretty incredible), but it showed how NASA uses 3D virtual reality gear to train astronauts. Makes perfect sense to me.

3D Playstation

rw

[johnathan500]

That's cool