Next big thing, 3D, pro or con?

[Mr Peabody]

From what I read coming from CES 3D is the big thing lurking around the corner. All the CE companies seem to have their own approach. With very limited information on any of it I like Sony's idea of making it work with existing TV displays.

Here's the problem I have. Current Blu-ray players aren't going to be compatible from what I see so far and I don't see how the current software could be. With Blu-ray very much in it's infancy do we need first another war and second something else to make our current gear obsolete? Some companies don't even have a player to offer yet.

I should stop because I really want to focus on 3D. Most here seem to say Blu-ray is growing fast and comparatively faster than DVD. So why the big push for BD Live features, built in storage for this, etc. Maybe just comment on does this BD Live stuff look like something you'd use or be interested in? For me, no, not at all. I saw a trailer of some movie where you can use a GPS thing to track characters or something while you watch, I don't want to be doing this stuff. Stow all that and just try making a decent movie for a change.

If things are going to move this fast equipment is going to have to be modular internally or all computer based so that upgrades can be done. I can't see people dumping receivers, BDP's, and HDTV's as expensive as they are to get the next best thing. A good reason to lean toward the $12.00 HDMI cable is another version of that is coming down the line.

This all is really sort of along the same vein. So where do you get off and sit a few rounds out? Will you spend the money for the next best thing no matter what?

3D

[pixelthis]

3D is a gimmick, always has been, always will be.
Truth is you get a "depth" effect with high res pictures anyway.
TRUE 3d is going to require massive storage.
Polarized glasses and red'/blue filters wont cut it.
Besides, movies tell a story, bad enough we have movies based on amusement park rides,
3D turns a movie into an amusement park ride.
Remember Captain Eo at Disney world?
A lame story and stuff flying in front of your face, and crap exploding all around you.
THATS the future of "3D", and you can have it.

[Mr Peabody]

Yeah, they even have that D-box technology where you can get motion effects in your seat. So if you have the funds you could basically create yourself a mini amusement ride.

When we went to Disney a few years ago I got to experience something similar. They had one based on Stitch from Lilo & Stitch. The theater seat had this contraption that lowered down about your shoulders. I smelled his hotdog breath, wet from his spit and felt like he was tickling the back of your neck. There was also a 3D movie with Mickey and Donald at another place. We felt wetness from mop water when it was thrown in the movie and the 3D effect was really good.

I also read that some of these 3D displays shown at CES are pretty good, more than a gimmick.

[bobsticks]

3D is a gimmick, always has been, always will be.
Truth is you get a "depth" effect with high res pictures anyway.
TRUE 3d is going to require massive storage.
Polarized glasses and red'/blue filters wont cut it.
Besides, movies tell a story, bad enough we have movies based on amusement park rides,
3D turns a movie into an amusement park ride.
Remember Captain Eo at Disney world?
A lame story and stuff flying in front of your face, and crap exploding all around you.
THATS the future of "3D", and you can have it.

There is some historical precedent to indicate that if the porn industry finds the medium positive there may be a higher-than-expected demand for 3D. I choose not to comment, except to say it sounds like from Mr. Peabody's experience they're already working on the nuances of the presentation.

[kexodusc]

I'm not opposed to anything without first trying it, but I'm skeptical this will be adopted by mainstream.

3D has been around a long time, but the fact remains it hasn't caught on, more people prefer 2D movies, so that leads me to believe a new 3D approach is needed. Which won't be fast, easy, or cheap.

I don't see Hollywood filming and mastering their blockbuster movies for 3D anytime soon, TV is probably staying 2D for the foreseeable future.

We rented that new Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D BluRay. In addition to the crappy movie making me nauseous, the 3D stuff gave me a headache. No thanks.

As for BD Live. I have to admit, I never buy a disc looking for those features, but with more spare time on my hand the last few weeks, I've checked out the bonus stuff included in most of my BluRay purchases and rentals and some of is a big step up over the stuff I'm used to from DVD. Some of it, well a lot of it is retarded still, but maybe there is a future for this stuff. I'll keep an open mind. I can see how some of the interactive stuff on, say, Kung Fu Panda would appeal to kids, and a lot of people do like seeing the features on filming classics and box-office smash hits like The Dark Knight.

But I still see that stuff as more "value added" time filler. The main course is still the quality of the film itself.

[Luvin Da Blues]

......if the porn industry finds the medium positive..............except to say it sounds like from Mr. Peabody's experience they're already working on the nuances of the presentation.

If I interpret this right...that's pretty gross there 'sticky.

[GMichael]

If it was true 3D, then yes. I'm all for it. By true 3D I mean that I don't need any head gear or glasses to see it. If I get up and walk around the room I can see different viewpoints of what's going on. Other than that, I'll pass.

The shows in Disney were fun, but I don't want to set up my living rood with water squirters and air blowers, not to mention moving seats to get the same effect.

[GMichael]

If I interpret this right...that's pretty gross there 'sticky.

Think of the things you could see! Oh, now I see your point.

[kexodusc]

Looks like it's a new take on old tricks...

Thinner LCD displays that use LEDs and the broader introduction of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology were staples for TV-makers, as were “3-D” displays that rely on stereoscopic video to achieve the effect.

Stereoscopic video presents two slightly different perspectives of an image to the viewer who typically wears a pair of LCD shutter glasses.

The LCD panel over each eye rapidly flips on and off to show the image to one eye at a time and the brain combines the visuals to complete the effect.

Headgear = suck.
Ain't gonna work for me.

[bobsticks]

If I get up and walk around the room I can see different viewpoints of what's going on. Other than that, I'll pass...

You want the chess set from Star Wars dontcha?

[GMichael]

You want the chess set from Star Wars dontcha?

Close, but I'd rather have the holodeck from STTNG.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Oh my! So would I!

However, I'm not going to contribute to the derailment of this thread.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

From what I read coming from CES 3D is the big thing lurking around the corner. All the CE companies seem to have their own approach. With very limited information on any of it I like Sony's idea of making it work with existing TV displays.

Everyone right now is in development, and are presenting their versions of 3D hoping their standard will be adopted by the BDA. 3D has a way to go yet, I wouldn't worry about it just yet.

Here's the problem I have. Current Blu-ray players aren't going to be compatible from what I see so far and I don't see how the current software could be. With Blu-ray very much in it's infancy do we need first another war and second something else to make our current gear obsolete? Some companies don't even have a player to offer yet.

Actually it does work with current software, and the PS3 is able to do 3D with just a simple firmware update. The standalones currently out there are not compatible though. I have seen a Panasonic demo using a BD-50 disc, and the PS3 outputting two 1080p video streams, and the box that controls the shuttering was hooked up via USB. The demo was extremely good, and featured Journey to the Center of the Earth as the source movie.

I should stop because I really want to focus on 3D. Most here seem to say Blu-ray is growing fast and comparatively faster than DVD. So why the big push for BD Live features, built in storage for this, etc. Maybe just comment on does this BD Live stuff look like something you'd use or be interested in? For me, no, not at all. I saw a trailer of some movie where you can use a GPS thing to track characters or something while you watch, I don't want to be doing this stuff. Stow all that and just try making a decent movie for a change.

Marketing research by the studios has shown very strong support for BD-Live, especially on Disney titles. But the studios have just scratched the surface on what BD live can actually do. Much to our chagrin, alot of folks like Bonus content.

If things are going to move this fast equipment is going to have to be modular internally or all computer based so that upgrades can be done. I can't see people dumping receivers, BDP's, and HDTV's as expensive as they are to get the next best thing. A good reason to lean toward the $12.00 HDMI cable is another version of that is coming down the line.

The BDA is looking a 3D solutions that are more compatible with peoples current equipment. However, there are alot of manufacturers who's systems will require a complete upgrade of all equipment, and if their process is adopted, it will be phased in slowly, and have to be backward compatible as well.

This all is really sort of along the same vein. So where do you get off and sit a few rounds out? Will you spend the money for the next best thing no matter what?

3D

Personally, I love 3D and am preparing my setup for its release since I can see some common denominators among the many processes that are being offered.

[Woochifer]

It'll be a while unless the manufacturers get their collective heads together and agree on a unified standard first. Panasonic indicated that there are currently five competing standards in development.

The big limitation to adoption will be the need to don the headgear yet again.

I know that an increasing number of DVDs and Blu-rays are now getting packaged with the old fashioned red/blue 3-D glasses. But, that's just a stop gap gimmick, since real holy grail is 3D imagery that retails the original color fidelity. I've seen some incredible 3D in IMAX, which uses polarized lenses, but it will be interesting to see how much the shuttering LCD lenses improve on this. I read that this is already in use in some theaters, but I've not seen a 3D movie in a while.

[Mr Peabody]

Has anyone been to a theater with the D-box seating? You guys in CA would probably see that first.

[pixelthis]

SCREW all of this 3D crap, we have much MORE important things to deal with!


GM, when WAS CAMERON DIAZ on STAR TREK???

GOD.

[Mr Peabody]

I don't know either but I'd like to see that episode.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Has anyone been to a theater with the D-box seating? You guys in CA would probably see that first.

One of the other reviewers at bluray.com has it in his system. I found it distracting after a while, and rather gimmicky. My subwoofers do a VERY nice job of shaking the floor and the air around me during deep bass passages. That is all of the shaking around I need thanks.

[BradH]

I want that machine that made Jenny Agutter appear in Logan's Run .

I want a coupon for that.

[GMichael]

I want that machine that made Jenny Agutter appear in Logan's Run .

I want a coupon for that.

That would be a very handy appliance to have around the house. Dial a ...?