3D Television--Tomorrow's Dead Technology

HawtWired:

"Ubisoft set me off, this time, when they claimed earlier this week that they expect to see 3D televisions in every home by 2013. First off, a year after the apocalypse, 3D television is going to take a severe back seat to survival and zombie slaying. Secondly, since the 3D television is the stupidest, most inelegant backwards-ass item of engineering on the planet, such a claim is, at best, somewhere between DJ Hero and Kid Rock on the retardation scale.

Hopefully, I’m riling up the 3D believers right now, because by the end of this article I’m going to shatter their fragile little world."

[Darkstorn]

I just don't see the glasses staying relevant four years out. Technology WILL come along that will make it obsolete, and cost considerably less in the long run.

For that matter, the vast majority of people I know don't even own HDTVs yet, so as normal HDTV prices go down, the late adopters will buy the lower priced technology. Until then, gaming is the only place the tech will be significantly pushed.

[Donny]

i do not believe 3d technology will be dead tomorrow, if you do not agree with me so be it.

[Anon1974]

For me, full color 3D was something I thought I'd never see in my adult life. Then it came along, and now we affordable, full color 3D available in our homes brining depth to our movies, games and tv shows. This has the potential to be the biggest move since the color tv was released.

"and we’ll all be picking a third-world country to make into a landfill for our old discarded 3D televisions."

Nonsense. Even if 3D fails, people aren't going to rush out and throw out perfectly good televisions.

This is just a sample of how moronic and out of touch this article is. Why does the author think 3D is doomed to fail? He claims it's because people don't want to wear glasses to watch 3D.

I think the 2 billion, yes billion, dollars that Avatar grossed in the theaters shows a strong consumer appetite for 3D. Every new technology has it's detractors and although 3D isn't exactly new, we're certainly seeing the trolls coming out from under their bridges to bash this particular tech.

[Donny]

why a dissagree? did you not like that i liked 3d technology? did you not like my avatar? speak up! show your face coward.

edit, can someone bubble me up? gettin debubbled by morons here.thanks.

[tplarkin7]

There are two huge obstacles to 3D in the home: price and glasses

HDTV is new and now we're supposed to get rid of them and buy a 3DTV?

Glasses are simply too impractical.

It's not far fetched to see 3DTV dying tomorrow.

[raztad]

The idea of 3D dying is just moronic. 3DTVset = TV working at 240Hz, which happen to provide a clearer/better picture. 3D is moving forward to become a standard feature in every TV in the market, so at some point to buy a one without 3D will be considered retarded.

Clearly if up to everyone to actually use the functionality, but with more available content I dont see why people wouldnt want to enjoy it.

[beardpapa]

they said the same thing about bluray. what happened there?

besides, even if u get a 3dtv with glasses, if that set gets outdated because there are glasses-less 3dtv sets available, your 'old' set is still capable of 3d display.

[GrandTheftZamboni]

Even if 3d dies tomorrow, why would anyone discard the TV that can also display HD 2D?

[Lich120]

Bluray is just a disk technology though, if it failed it was purely due to low adoption rates or a different, more adopted standard. 3d however, is something new (after all the difference between a bluray and a DVD is pretty much storage capacity) is something that not everyone cares for, and there are some of us who get sick watching it. That said, I don't care if it does or doesn't fail. As long as I don't have to buy a 3dTV to play my games than I say have fun with it for all those who do adopt it.

[shoddy]

The glassless 3d tv only can be view at 45 degree angle that's why all the major company think glasses is the best way right now.

If you so smart then please invent a 3d tv that is affordable and can be view at all angles.

[Blacktric]

What's with that "Gay Fish" picture as thumbnail?

[orakga]

Thank god that not everyone on the internet is as stupid as the writer of this article.

Like someone else already stated, a 3DTV is just an HDTV capable of running at 240hz. But "240hz HDTV" just isn't a marketable term so they instead choose to say "3DTV".

Yes, the units are still outrageously expensive.
But then again so were the 480p Plasma TVs 5 years ago.

So, perhaps what Ubisoft should have said was "3D-Capable HDTVs", but in the end it means the exact same thing.

Shutter glasses will come down to about $50-70 in a couple of years. Most cable providers will offer ESPN 3D (hell, they ALREADY DO!). And Blu-Ray will be standard equipment for most middle-class households. So, by that point the only question is whether consumers want to lash out a few extra bucks for the glasses.

... and we'll all be laughing at morons like these, ONCE AGAIN.

[kratos123]

wow you know people how still dont own a hdtv in wich country do you live at

come on guys this isnt the year 2000
embrace the tech

[Jazz4108]

If MS was making 3d tvs and pushing it you would be all over this article ans agreeing with it.

[Ju]

There won't be much "lower priced" technology available in a 1 or 2 years from now. It just doesn't cost the world to make current TVs 3D. That is the whole point of that technology. I can be used with current manufacturing technologies. A bit more electronics and proper refresh rate. Sooner or later, even the cheapest China imports will support 3D. Even if you don't want to watch 3D, you will buy a 3D (ready) TV in the near future.

Its the same like 1080p TVs were expensive. I still have a 720p 42" TV. And yet, you can't buy that anymore today.

[JsonHenry]

I am still on the fence about it. Not because I don't like 3D (been enjoying it on my PC for a while now) but because I don't want to invest in any more 3D related items until I know it is here to stay.

[Boody-Bandit]

This just in:
Water is wet.
The sky is blue.
Humans are mortal.

I would write a long winded reply but realize there is no reason trying to argue with that level of intellect. The Darkstorns of the world are right. I give up and I am going to sell all my electronics and go back to a rotary phone and a black and white crt running on rabbit ears.

[C0MPUT3R]

..................
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Home Theatre & AV Heads are adopting heavier, then PS3 gamers will start to adopt after GT5 & KZ3 come out.
.
..................

[ji3200]

LISTEN PEOPLE!!! 3D IS NOT ALL ABOUT POPING OUT OF THE SCREEN!! ITS A FIELD OF DEPTH OF THE SCREEN WHICH MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN THE EVIROMENT OF THE WORLD!! I WENT TO E3 2010 AND I DID TRIED GRAN TURISMO 5 ON 3D AND IT REALLY HELP ME PICK UP BRAKING MARKS FROM THE DISTANCE WHICH I ALWAYS HAD A TROUBLE WITH!! I PLAYED LOW SCORED AVATAR PS3 GAME IN 3D AND I WAS JUST A AMAZED THAT EVEN SHITTY GAME MAKES ME PLAY!! 3D TV IS THE FUTURE AND THEY WILL IMPROVE BETTER IN TIME!!!! GO TO BEST BUY AND WATCH THE DEMO OF MOSTER VS ALIEN!!! ITS MUCH BETTER THAN THEATER 3D PICTURE!!!

[rareairtone]

I don't think he's dissing 3D imaging as a staple in our viewing experience.

I think he's saying that tvs with flat screens to produce a 3d effect is going to be dead technology.

Think about it. We already have people studying how to make holograms. I'm willing to bet he's saying that we're going to uphold the likes of technology that eventually gets rid of a screen as it's currently defined

[orakga]

You're giving him the benefit of the doubt, obviously.
And yes, that's exactly what he's saying.

But this isn't like holding off on the iPhone 4 because you know something better will come out in 6 months.

He's talking about skipping flatscreen 3DTVs altogether because somebody will eventually invent some new technology that noone has heard of. I mean, when is THAT going to come out at a REASONABLE PRICE? 4 years? 5 years? That's like an entire generation in terms of console tech!

=D

[ballsofsteel]

who ever wrote this article is a stuck up twit who thinks he knows everything because he has a degree. 3D tv's are the future but until they become glassless and cheap they won't really take off. it's vary similar to HDtv's people for get that HDTV's were offered as early is 2000 to consumers but it's the last 2 years that HDTV's have really taken off. this is because hdtv's are new very cheap to make and there is a lot of content to support hdtv's

[morganfell]

I laughed when he said Kid Rock. And by that I mean I laughed at the idiot that wrote this article. Kid Rock personifies a success story that flew in the face of naysayers.

It's quite humorous when moronic attempts at journalism result in sophomoric incidents of self pwnage.

[HaVoK308]

Lets see...an educated man speaks on the fact that history is destine to repeat itself. List scientific and statistical facts to back up his opinion coupled with his experience. And you...Joe Gamer the fanboy is going to dispute that with what? On the spot made up facts? LOL...son, you are blinded by your undeniable ignorance. You kids astonish me daily with your pathetic rhetoric and propaganda. Comparing HDTVS to 3DTVs is a piss poor attempt to sound somewhat intelligent. There is no correlation between the two. Zero. None whatsoever. Keep reaching...its amusing.

[shoddy]

All the smartass hater dare to doubt those billion dollers tv manufacterer.

[pinkyxyz]

when the glasses aren't necessary anymore, i will definately buy one.

[Montrealien]

same for me, the glasses are a huge crutch for the home market, as they where in the 80s. Count me in when the glasses are out.

[talltony]

Only getting disagrees because seems like alot of people already have their little hopes set on 3d tvs with glasses. Boo hoo.

[Sprudling]

I think you will have to wait a very long time for glassless TVs for the living room. Todays tech isn't even close to achieving that with any good 3D effect. There are some big obstacles in the way, which have to do with how humans are able to see in 3D at all. That is, when the left and right eye see different images. There is no getting around that, and if you think about it that's a pretty hard thing to get working without any headgear.

Now you're probably going to argue that the 3DS does it. That's why I said "glassless TVs for the living room" up there. The tech which the 3DS uses is autostereoscopy using a parallax barrier. Read about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

It's a smart way to do it, but check out the disadvantage mentioned in the wiki. That sweet spot is very small and close to the screen for the 3DS. At longer distances it gets even more troublesome. That also means the 3D effect will only work for one person, and only if that person is not moving his head at all.

What you haters need to do is to check out the active shutter glasses effect yourself. I don't know a single person who isn't very impressed after seeing it for themselves. Wearing those glasses is a small price to pay. What's the problem anyway? Some people wear glasses constantly with no hassle at all.

[ActionBastard]

I love how people act like they have to put on a fucking 60lb helmet to watch 3D content. While active shutter glasses are currently expensive, they will drop in price. Like all things.

[Montrealien]

you are correct, and by the time the prices go down on the glasses, they won't be needed anymore since glasse free #d will be the new thing.

[MysticStrummer]

Sorry to shatter your fragile little world, but I've never heard of your website. Because of the ridiculous way you spell "hot", I can't possibly care about your opinion and will never look at your website. Good day.

[Chaostar]

I'm tired of this 'I can't afford this so I hate it' attitude.

Like it or not 3D is here to stay and for at least the next 5+ years glasses will be too. I wish people would just shut up and let those of us with open minds enjoy the added depth (no pun indended) that 3D will bring.

[HaVoK308]

Oh...you mean the attitude fanboys have because they can not afford all three consoles? Gotcha!

[Chaostar]

Sarcasm... classy.

I own all current consoles BTW if thats what you were trying to have a dig at?

Anyway my comment was directed just toward 3D technology the consoles have nothing to do with my opinion.

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

3DTV in 2011, baby.

KILLZOWN3D at my home in February 2011.

http://i721.photobucket.com...

[Xfanboy]

3D glasses will be dead not 3D!!!

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

Probably, there are already 3DTV's without Glasses, but very overpriced.

[talltony]

Overpriced because they Are not available to the consumer market yet. Of course they will be very affordable once they are available in a year or 2.

[Dylantalon1]

the best stereoscopic 3d experience for now and at least another 10 years will be with glasses. without glasses, a person that is watching a 3d image wont be able to see things that are floating in the air or the image seeming like things are coming out of the screen. most people that speak negatively about 3d are the ones that have never experienced it or is fortunate enough to buy a 3d tv with a 3d player. i remember people useto say that hdtvs were unnecessary and that they arent much of an improvement over standard definition tvs when it came to picture quality.

to be on track though, i do think that the 1st matrix movie was the best.

[Focker-420]

^^^
This times 1000!! People just don't get it.

[ryhanon]

I dunno. I have experienced 3D with glasses and I can say that it's not for me. The biggest problem I think 3D will have to overcome is the fact that it makes a *significant* number of people (myself included) sick or gives them headaches (or both).

That said, I have not experienced glasses-less 3D and don't know if that will have the same effect on me as 3D with glasses. I hope not, because it *is* a cool technology, I just hope some day I can use it without experiencing migraines and a queasy stomach.

[talltony]

We have technology for glassesless 3d. Look at videos of them at ces 2010 on YouTube. They are coming and will be sweet.

[mantisimo]

They are coming but still won't work.

Samsung spent a lot of time/money developing the "lenticular" glassless tech only to say that it will not be released as a home TV as the sweet spot is far too tight therefore it is being used as a display banner where the audience viewing angle can be controlled.

The other company from chinas TV was awful at the wrong angle, totally unviewable with smear and off focus blind spots all over.(when it worked it worked well but far too inclusive viewing angles)

Glasses wearing is the only way to enjoy this great tech for a long time.

and to say "I'll wait for the new tech to arrive in 5 years because I don't like glasses" is like saying you are happy to miss out on the next gen console of your choice for the one after because you dont like the blue light on top.

They are only glasses (and surprisingly very light to wear, practically unnoticable in fact)

[talltony]

No these TCL's have 8 viewing angles and will be available to the consumer market in 24 months time based on this interview so I dont know why you are speculating 5 years. And I have no doubt that these TV's will be further improved even more once they are released.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

The 3d tv's right now are not good enough for me. So everybody that wants to watch tv with me needs a pair of stupid glasses or they are forced to look at a blurry screen. I am sold on no glasses only. Its not about money for me, its princable. Companies are just trying to get this tech out to the masses now even though they know it will be obsolete in a few years so they can sell 3D tvs without glasses then. Just watch.

Its like apple marginally improving the iphone and keeping features out of it every year just so they have another selling point the next when they add them.

[XactGamer]

3D glasses is a welcome end to an era, bring on glassless.

[Chaostar]

Frell yeah!

[Merivigian]

I don't really care how dead sony's 3D tv's will become, because lets face it, they will be. But once nintendo does the 3DS, I doubt they'll leave the 3D feature out of any of their future DS systems.

[kitt2112]

Im with you 100% "Chaostar and Action Bastard" it seem that most of the ppl that complain about this are 10 year old kids that cant afford one and ppl with prescription glasses, what's the fn big deal? ppl wear sunglasses every day and i don't hear an outrage about that.

[Socomer 1979]

Sorry.
Better luck next negative article.

[DlocDaBudSmoka]

peyton manning

[Jazz4108]

Peyton Manning is paid to wear 3d glasses. i doubt very much he gives a flying f about 3d.

[Focker-420]

Based on Game Informers reaction to 3D at E3, I'd say 3D is here to stay. Its the best thing since sliced bread.

[Freshnikes]

To ppl saying I will buy if it came without glasses and I won't be getting one ...listen up it's plain and simple if u plan on buying a high end 50+ inch set your getting 3d in your set weather u like it or not ...my advice get a 36 inch tv.. Lol

[DJMarty]

360 and DVD todays dead tech then.

[xenomorph856]

I think the health risks involved with 3D will drag it down, until they can rid of those health risks, I think 3D will not be very popular.

[DJMarty]

Alot of games already come with health warnings, it's nothing new.

Don't see what all the fuss is about.

Wipeout HD has a warning saying it may cos fits in some people. Due to the fast paced cycling colours. If you suffer from fits you would'nt play. Simple common sense.

[ryhanon]

Yeah, health warnings come on nearly everything these days. The difference here though, is that 3D affects a significant number of people in negative ways. I suffer from severe eye strain, migraines and sometimes an upset stomach if I watch 3D for longer than an hour at a time. I know of several others that also experience migraines and eye strain. I don't know *anyone* that suffers from any problems playing video games for similar lengths of time (or even much longer lengths, really).

[facelike]

But the larger percentage of people in the world do not have these health issues with 3D. With time, TV companies will find better ways of doing 3D so the health issues will be minimized.

Also, and this is the most important part, the 3D functionality can be turned off for a better 2D picture. So if someone buys a 3D set, they will have an improved 2D set. A few years from now, expect to see 3D HDTV's for $700.

The tech is there, and will remain there whether we use it or not. 3D will not go away.

[AliTheBrit19]

Meh screw 3D TV

Who the hell wants to wear glasses constantly while playing anyway, plus its overpriced when you consider the technology will be cheaper and better within half a year of buying YOUR TV, And now all these health risks..

But hey, fools will be fools, and go eat the crap up.

[DJMarty]

All new tech is pricey at first,.

Ther is know way to make large screens without having to wear 3d Glasses at the momment.

The only reason 3DS don't need glasses is cos of the size of the screen, on a handheld it's small.

Same thing happened with OLED screens small screens came first, followed by larger screens as the tech matures.

[fezthabest]

im sorry whats wrong with wearing glasses while playing?

I and many other million people wear glasses during the majority of their day.

OH NOES!!! I'm not gonna wear glasses in the privacy of my home, i might look stupid.

[absolutecarnage]

so your going to wear your glasses over glasses, I'm sure that's comfortable, i can see why some people have a issue with that

[Sprudling]

There is absolutely no issue with it. The 3D glasses are designed to be used together with regular glasses. (Or not of course.)

Besides, wearing glasses doesn't even register on the discomfort scale. I've been doing it constantly for a good number of years now, so I should know.

[edgeofblade]

I just got back from watching the World Cup finals... live... in a movie theater... in 3D ( http://www.fathomevents.com... ). And you know what? It was pretty sweet.

But by the time the game was over, I had a hard time discerning if it was still 3D unless I looked at the edge of the screen or saw a graphic on the screen. I would not want to spend that kind of money on a TV with such fleeting benefits.

I'll make a deal with you, TV <s>marketers</s> manufacturers. If, when it comes time for me to buy another TV, in, oh maybe, 7 years, I'll buy a TV with 3D on it. That's assuming it lasts that long.

[cyclindk]

Just like color tv... just like HD television (a subjective term, I know)...

[smoothdude]

All I am going to say is that i am not interested in 3d. If I wanted 3d, I would go to the live theater.

[C0MPUT3R]

...................
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Eventually all HDTV's will be 3d capable.
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So let's say in 5 years you get a new HDTV.
.
guess what?
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It will be 3D, and way better then what is on the market today.
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Doi
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..................

[Sprudling]

Can't believe you got disagrees on this. A 3DTV isn't much of an upgrade over a regular HDTV.

[Honest_gamer]

having never watched a 3D movie (i hate the cinima's in my area....well thier is non have to go over 20 miles to get to the nearest one woooo) living in a small sea side town (Arbroath) sucks all i want to know is....can i still wear my glasses over/under the 3d glasses? if so then dam i'll be buying a 3d monitor come xmas £400 for a full HD/3D 8million/1 contrast ratio 22inch includes 3d glasses (nvidia pair i think) £400 for that doesn’t seem that dear I think 22 inch is the perfect gaming tv/monitor size from amazon co uk also if you can wear glasses with the 3d glasses could you mail me the answer thank you

[Dorwrath]

Most of my family don't even have HDTV so no, not every house by 2013.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

converter boxes... not cause they went out and bought HDTVS... and I think people dissmiss how many people there are that are still in that bracket... there's actually plenty!

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

lmao!!!!

[Phish]

I love 3D movies, and I think games would be cool in 3D although I've never played one. My problem is that I have all new HD TVs in my home that I expected to last for many years when I bought them. One of these includes a HD projector. I just can't see myself buying all new equipment along with glasses for everyone. I think a lot of other people will be in that same situation which is why I think 3D will not take off just yet. Once glasses are not needed that may be a different story.

[Mikey Mike]

I was all for the technology until the companies wanted consumers to purchase three separate things to make it 3D.

[dustgavin]

Seems like some people are just bashing 3D with glasses because PS3/PC are the only platforms able to support this technology. It is funny that those same people call it 'outdated' but support a console that is using multiple dvd discs.

3D gaming and movies is the future whether you like it or not.

[Bluemaster77]

3D is trash the big 3 need to focus more on content

[Jason143]

go to the store and try it people. then get back to me. gaurentee youll change your tune.

[Gun_Senshi]

3D w/o glasses will be cheap when it comes out?

When 3D w/o glasses come out, the 3D with glasses will be cheap and people will all flok 3D with glasses.

[Cyrox]

He's dissing 3D TELEVISIONS. He pointed to the Virtual Boy as a 3D technology that did not require a TV. His belief is that television manufacturers are making access to 3D content more complicated and costly than it should be. If people are going to be wearing shutter glasses to watch 3D TV, why not build the TV into the glasses? It simplifies the 3D to one piece of equipment. That's why at the end of his article, he shows the picture of the girl wearing the red glasses and states that he believes that 3D of the future will eventually end up something more like what's happening in the photo.

Learn to understand the theme of one's article before bashing the views of the writer incorrectly.

[lordhellion]

An awful lot of comments for so many people begin assured that the writer has nothing to say. My favorite was the assumption that I have a degree if I'm going to be snarky.

The point is this: why are we even talking about a 3D technology that requires a monitor AND glasses? The stereoscopic glasses are what makes the image 3D--the TV monitor is pointless. In the long run, all it is a stopgap to make the consumers more comfortable with the idea segregating their viewing experience from the other people in the room. The real future of the industry is going to be self-contained 3D producing screens built INTO the glasses. Right now, people would reject it as a solitude inducing device, but after a few years having to wear your own pair of glasses to see a 3D monitor, people's psychology will embrace or at least accept the separation that goggle based video will bring with it. A consumer trying to jump into the 3D-TV marketplace and buy into the medium as a long-term product hasn't thought about looking ahead to the next point in home entertainment's evolution, and is going to end up as disappointed as the HD-DVD backers are today.