(ARA) – If you’re planning a trip to the box office to see any of this year’s big blockbuster movies, there’s a good chance you’re going to see it in 3-D. Around the world, demand for 3-D technology continues to grow because it takes the movie viewing experience to a completely new level. The popularity of 3-D has also inspired more people to have 3-D TVs in their homes so they can enjoy the excitement of 3-D anytime.
From the big screen to the living room
Interest in home 3-D TV continues to grow, but initial adoption has been hindered by limited availability or programming in3-D and by expensive and cumbersome 3-D glasses. Today things have changed. The influx of 3-D movies in theaters is resulting in more 3-D content coming to Blu-ray for home viewing. From Tron, Harry Potter, Kung Fu Panda and many more, the 3-D experience starts on the silver screen and ends in your living room. And it’s not just new movies that are getting the 3-D treatment – classics like Star Wars and The Lion King are being released in the 3-D Blu-ray format as well. You can experience your favorite childhood film like it’s the first time again when you see it in the third dimension.
It’s more than just movies
Movies are just the beginning of the content that’s available in 3-D. If you’re a sports fan you may be able to watch your favorite team go for the win in engaging 3-D since ESPN launched a 3-D channel that broadcasts a variety of games and competitions. TV shows and video games are all under 3-D development and availability is expected to grow rapidly in the near future. In addition, most 3-D TVs can up-convert 2-D content to simulate 3-D, giving new life to your existing movie collection.
Choosing your 3-D format
Since 3-D TV is here to stay, you might wonder about the best option for you. In order to view 3-D in the comfort of your own home you’ll need a 3-D TV and special glasses for each person. When shopping for TVs, you’ll have to decide if you want conventional active-shutter or next-generation passive 3-D technology.
Passive 3-D TVs use lightweight polarized glasses, like the ones used in movie theaters, which cost about $10 a pair. They also don’t require batteries or need to be charged. Conventional, active-shutter 3-D TVs require glasses that sync with an emitter on the TV to create the 3-D effect. They are heavier and more expensive than passive glasses, costing between $50 and $100 a pair, and also require batteries or need to be recharged.
In May, a third party consumer survey commissioned by LG Electronics and conducted by Morpace, Inc., showed that 4 out of 5 people prefer the overall 3-D experience of LG’s passive 3-D TV, LG CINEMA 3-D, over Sony and Samsung’s active 3-D TVs. The same survey also showed consumer preferences for LG CINEMA 3-D in brightness, color and 3-D glasses. For more information and details on the study visit www.lg.com/cinema3d-research.
Of course, most of the shows you’ll watch on your new 3-D TV will be in high definition 2-D, so you can switch back and forth easily for an enjoyable viewing experience no matter what the format. If you miss that big 3-D blockbuster at the movies, this technology will let you experience all the great 3-D content like in the theater, but in the comfort of your own home.
Related articles
- Are 3D TV glasses bad for your eyes (wiki.answers.com)
- LG’s new 3D TV has true gaming split-screen, reminds us of another display (joystiq.com)
- 3-D movies, gadgets getting lukewarm reception by some (usatoday.com)
