Why 3D TV Will Flop

Fueled by hit films like Avatar and Up, interest in 3D has hit a fever pitch -- some would argue its zenith -- and both cable networks and electronics manufacturers are taking notice. Their conceit: If it works in the theaters, why not in the living room? And that inherently flawed notion is leading companies to sink billions into a trend that won't last long.

[4Sh0w]

There's definitely some obstacles, but you won't know for sure until you put it out there and see if it works/the public really wants it but in todays economy any new high dollar venture that fails could be a huge setback for any company, I think the difference between 3D and motion control is that wii has proven there is a market for motion control while 3D is more of a risk outside of the theaters, if it works and people adopt it quickly then it could be huge for the companies involved, but if people are not willing to fork out the extra expense for the added 3D tech in their living rooms, then it could be a costly venture. Who knows, we'll see.

[Udidntlistenpunk]

CES is not even over and the very first fanboys who, of course, picked the wrong console (whose name I will not name here but everyone knows which one Im talking about :p) waste no time and start to pounce on why 3D gaming is not needed and why it will be doomed to fail.

Will it fail because its not available on your console? No?

Haha - its not even out yet, so lets wait and see. Because as far as I can tell, we gamers only need an software upgrade from Sony and some glasses and HDMI version 3 (which is like 30 bucks) and then we can enjoy 3D gaming.

Because most HD TVs today are already 3d compatible.

And unless you have a tv model which is 10 years old, chances are that your tv will be 3d compatible aswell.

[SaiyanFury]

I don't know. My 1080p HDTV is less than 3 years old and it won't support 3D. I can't really say I feel like I'm missing out. Using glasses that typically darken the image in favour of a gimmick doesn't really draw me. It reminds me of the old 3D with the red and blue plastic glasses. It was interesting, but I kind of thought it was weak. Not to mention there were no colours other than red and blue. I'm aware that modern 3D features full colour, but considering the price of HDTVs these days that support the feature, I doubt that many people will jump on board, considering most 48" or so HDTVs can be had for a thousand bucks or less now. I wonder what price range the average person will go for; a 2000 dollar 3DTV for some-odd dollar gimmick, or go for half the price for a good size 1080p TV. I guess it's ultimately up to the person, but I will not be one who goes for the 3DTV thing. Considering I spent 2500 dollars on my 61" 1080p HDTV 2 some-odd years ago.

[Wrathman]

most tv's are compatible?really?

i hope your right.if it means i only need a new hdmi cable thats great.but i have serious doubts if your statement is true.personally my tv is 3yrs old.i bought it when hdtv arrived.it doesnt even do full 1080i.and that was expensive at the time.£800.thats $1600 at the time.and only 32".

i do find 3dtv very fadish today.and im not buying another tv till this one breaks.my doubts on 3dtv are not fuelled by fanboyism.but if everyone decides to adopt to 3dtv,it will be a slow adoption.you need to remember that outside the usa high def tv hasnt been fully adopted.in the uk we have a tiny amount of high def channels.subscribed to by a smaller amount of people.

question..does 3dtv require a hd signal.can it be recieved thru a terrestrial signal?movies are 1 thing,but mass adaption needs a mass following.it needs tv channels to do this. skytv has some 30 hdtv subscription channels and you can get 3 for freeview.hdtv is still a luxury.why jump to 3dtv so quick?

[haqshot]

Personally, I have zero interest in 3D television or 3D gaming and will not be purchasing any of those products. I would rather not turn blind by age 30.

By the way, just about anyone who has one eye that functions worse than the other will not be able to enjoy 3D. This would make up a sizable population, and that is not even taking into account older folks who generally have very poor eyesight.

[ShinRyuHadoken]

There are always hypocrites on this planet that will think 3D will flop. Just wait and see. 2years from now they have enough money and they will screaming different. Those hypocrites are always 1-2 years behind the TECH-INOVATIONS. Just like when PS3 was out 3 years ago they talk b1tching PS3 because it was €600 and now only €299 they loving it.

[anh_duong]

i am sure this was the same guy who said colour tv will never catch on

the author doesn't realise that 3d will probably be the same price as standard tv in a couple of years time since the technology is already there and is pretty straight forward..

the difference in hidef tv and normal tv pricing was astronomical because lcd panels and plasma panels cost a lot more to manufacture during the early periods of flat screen tvs (the plasma used to cost 5000 bucks).. and even that didn't stop hd tv from being a failure.. nowadays, the leap in manufacturing cost between 3d panels and none 3d panels is actually not a great deal - hundreds not thousands of bucks.

the marginal price difference in 3d tv and normal hd-def tv will be pretty negligible in a few years time so anyone with half a brain will buy a 3d tv because it woun't cost a lot more...

this is blu-ray all over again but the only difference is now there is just one 3d blu-ray standard instead of two competiting hd (hd dvd / blu-ray) standards.. the risk of format obsecelence (i.e. hd dvd) is greatly reduced. the consumer will not be frightened about buying the wrong product..

furthermore with firmware upgrades there will be at least 35 million 3d tv capable players out there - and that is just counting ps3 players..

and as for contents there will be undoubtedly hundreds of 3d movies available (supported by all hollywood studios not like the fragmentation we saw during the early hidef war).. cable and satellite channels will have 3d content.. some ps3 games will be patched into 3d and new games will support 3d as well as an enormous library of pc games tht already support 3d.

http://www.nvidia.com/objec...

people who say 3d will flop have very short memories.. colour tv, stereo tv, hidef tv.. universally standardised (has no competition) backwardly compatible new technology will always succeed so long as the price is right.

[Anon1974]

From now on, if a buyer goes into a store to drop $2000 on a new TV, and beside it is a set for $2200 that supports 3D, do they really think people won't spend a tiny bit extra for simply having the option of 3D?

And it was mentioned above that the glasses darken the image. I've seen plenty of 3D movies in the theaters and I have to honestly say I've never been conscious of a darkening watching 3D movies. I fully intend on upgrading my 1080p home theater projector when there's more 3D content available. I jumped into HDTV a little too early and learned my lesson there. I had an HDTV 2-3 years before there was any HDTV content to play on them.

[shotgunkiwi]

When you have two alternating images, each one is brighter to compensate for the polarized glasses :)

Well, that will be true on the "true" 3d TVs. You may see some darkening on older models.

[KILLERAPP]

it depend how well is implemented and how much it cost, but once more Sony will used the PS3 in order to get people to buy 3D, i fully expect them to really push 3D in E3, if the TV's are affordable and Cable and satellite push it then maybe it might become the new standard but not in a few years. 3D maybe here but in order to become a standard it need heavy support and to affordable. I do believe that by next year almost all movie will be in 3D in order to show people how cool it is.

[OspreyDawn]

What's the problem with placing the material they use for the lenses of the glasses over the screen of the TV? Wouldn't that work just as well as wearing the glasses themselves or am I missing something? Also aren't there also some 3D TVs anyway that don't require glasses demoing at CES at the moment?

[Parapraxis]

This 3d tech uses different glasses, not quite the same ones used in most theatres in North America. But they still may make the picture darker unless you have a very high refresh rate.

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

[AEtherbane]

You cant put a layer of over a tv and make it look 3d, the new and cool 3d stereoscopic glasses are polarized, and refresh the lens and change its polarity dynamically to make something look 3d dynamically based on your position. if you saw avatar in 3d. the 3d was different based on where you sat in the theater, because of the glasses. Its really cool stuff, the color though is dimmed because the glasses are polarized.

Now, the 3d TV's that don't require glasses to work are a whole different ball game, there an entirely new technology. but its actually isn't that old to be suprised. In australia, they've been testing these goggless 3d computers since 2005 in gaming bars. however, the size of the screen was quite limited and things could only be played in SD and you would have to be very close to the screen. These new goggless 3d tv's are different, although, they are only 3d from certian angle. What they are working on is expanding the range of view from where the TV looks 3d. so eventually we can have our HD 3d goggless tv's, and see 3d from any angle...

its awesome technology, happy to be witnessing its creation in my lifetime, since 3d projections and 3d media has always been in sci-fi productions, just never possible.

[socomnick]

Once 3d tvs without glasses come out then it will succeed until then these tvs will be huge flops.

[lh_swe]

Because I certainly want a 3D TV and I am sure everyone else does too, there is a reason Avatar did so well (the movie not the game).

[Chris399]

You don't need glasses, you just sit in front of them with your pals. They're being displayed all over CES this year.

Educate yourself before you speak.

[digimau]

LOLLL: Yahoo is not imparzial: Yahoo is Partner of Microsoft...XD

[Digital-_-Smoke]

Also sad that Playstation is not the console to buy, for the holidays look how that turned out

[ApocalypseShadow]

guess you didn't need cd players to take advantage of better sound.guess you didn't need dvd players to see video beyond vcd and vhs.guess you didn't need another game system to see graphics past atari.guess you didn't need bluray to see beyond dvd video.

yup...why advance when the haters want us to sit back and just enjoy what is,not what could be....

the haters said ps3 wasn't necessary for high end gaming.they said hdmi wasn't necessary for 1080p.they said hd tvs weren't necessary for having fun.they said bluray wasn't necessary for bigger games or better movies.

**yes,advancement isn't necessary when you want to stand still.maybe that's why i like being given two feet.i like to keep moving.standing still is fine.but then....YOU DON'T GET ANYWHERE.**and some of these haters hate it because what they support is not going anywhere.because we know what company is at the forefront of this new age.just like bluray.just like ps3.

3D is just another great choice if you can take advantage of it.you don't have to use it.you don't have to like it.doesn't mean it shouldn't be done and advance us forward.3D is that last step before VR is introduced to the market AGAIN.once motion is perfected,it will add to 3D greatly.and then VR headsets will arrive and really put you in the game.just don't kick over the coffee table.

but the haters still want everyone to stand still because they got bricks for shoes.while the rest of us are light footed and wearing nikes.

[DelbertGrady]

The US government is controlled by MS. They are watching you right now.

[Cold 2000]

Funny how Jamie Foxxx is never surprised or against all the "ant-natal" articles we get, on the contrary,I bet he's actually active up in there but calls a conspiracy anything that does not say that 3D will take over the world.

Maybe you're part of the "anti-natal" conspiracy ?
I mean if there are any critics or doubts whatsoever it must be conspiracy!

[Jamie Foxx]

as for cold your opinion means very little to me

[DelbertGrady]

Don't listen to Cold. He's one of "them".

[Marty8370]

I can see this ending up another format war.

PS3/Blu-ray/HDMI 1.3 for it(cos ther tech is state of the art and they can do it)

Crapbox/DVD9/HDMI 1.2 against it(cos ther tech is dated and can't do it)

Jump Out, Play B3yond

[TANUKI]

There are always naysayers to new technologies. If it were up to them, we'd probably be living in an age with no computers, or light bulbs.

Darn fools!

[RamiHixxy]

.
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[Jdoki]

3D is a technology I can get behind. The problem with stuff like Wiimote's, PS wand and Natal is that is requires the user to be active (to a certain degree).

3D is a passive entertainment technology. You can use it or not. And from having seen Avatar I think the application of 3D in games could really be something special.

I'm looking forward to 3D in games far more than the current push towards motion technology.

[dazzalfc]

Agreed, and its not just with gaming, but movies and other forms of entertainment too.
The article from Yahoo seems to be pointing people in the direction of 3D being the only way you can actually view content, when, of course, its only an extension to what you can use. Lets face it, non of us would want to watch the shopping channel in 3D, and i think the companies (of which there are many) behind 3D, know this.

Its an extension to our viewing possibilites, simple. I'm personally looking forward to seeing 3D gaming myself. I'm another thats not keen on motion technology, and have been against the Wii (and now Natal/PSwand) since they came to be. I really don't see the fuss in any sort of motion tech when it comes to gaming, but 3D certainly

[Madis007]

Well if Sony start making only 3D TV then it cant be flop
Sony is biggest electronic company on this earth and they cant flop

[x MiL x]

No !

I will buy new Tv 3D ! =)

SONY Make.Believe

[Bereaver]

Ok, those who think that 3D is only about Sony, needs to take a step back to reality and understand that there are other makers out there. So fanboyism is completely out of the picture.

And as for it failing, it will fail the same way CD's failed. It will fail the way laptops failed. It will fail the way flat panel t.v.'s failed.

Idiots.

BTW, the only reason why this would ever be a fanboyist situation is if everyone knew that Microsoft bought Yahoo.com and they are now at the power of Gates and will spew anything to hurt rival competition. The same way how they argued ps3 wasn't worth the money because of the battery in the wirless controllers can fail lol.

[timestoby]

there needs to be tvs the are 3d instead of wearing silly glasses

[SaiyanFury]

Exactly. Until there's a TV model that can display 3D without the glasses, I seriously doubt the mainstream public will jump on board.

[yoghurt]

Interesting, I seem to remember a similar trend of stories.....PS3 will flop...Blu-Ray will flop...home will flop...

[ShiNe-Box-]

After seeing how both Sony (best high-end LCD manufacturer) and Panasonic (best high-end plasma manufacturer) pushed 3D at CES 2010, I'm sure 3D will succeed.

Oh and it's also been a while since industry insiders stopped listening to what Yahoo has to say.

[Rhythmattic]

Yahoo name change confirmed. Known now as Boo Hoo........

[Syaz1]

some didn't really like 3d, but i like it a lot. just watched avatar 3d 2 weeks ago, and was blown away by the depth 3d can create in a movie. if the world runs my way, i would love to play mass effect 2 in 3d.

[sikbeta]

Oh please, this all you got, lol, well is yahoo, they don't know cr@p so I can't expect anything more than this...

[stridershoge]

I disagree with those who say it will be a flop...Why? Simple, if HD TV can be a hit then 3D TV could easily be a hit, if Wii can be a hit then 3D TV can be a hit. Anything that helps add to the users experience will always have a chance.

A lot of people have been to watch these 3D movies in the cinema and obviously the feedback has been great, most people would love to bring the experience home.

The focus in gaming recently has been to have an immersive experience, as gamers 3D offers the possibility of adding to the experience in the same way motion control promised.

[TheMailman]

Saying 3D won´t prevail is like saying 30 years ago that Personel Computers (PC´s) were doomed..

[GrammarPolice]

DirectTV is introducing 3D channels this year and ESPN will broadcast several events in 3D so the concept does not have to rely on just one platform (gaming) to survive. Those who have seen Avatar in 3D will have enough interest to give 3D more than a passing glance, and judging by box office numbers, that is a LOT of people.

It has a chance... if they can successfully introduce 3D to the public, many consumers with current generation HDTVs will certainly consider 3D capability for their next HDTV purchase.

[Scotracer]

Even though I've still not seen anything in 3D I do feel it's not going to hit the mainstream. HDTV is only just starting to get adoption here in the UK and that's with very limited HD broadcasting. 3D will be several years away if ever...and most TV viewers wont care. Without the general TV audience, only relying on gaming and the cinema fraternity I can't see it becoming the norm.

I'd like to be proven wrong though.

[RedDragan]

The guy who write this doesn't seem to undertsand the technology at all.

The headaches are gone. The new glasses all each eye to see a different 60FPS picture that is not the annoying two colour effect. Both lenses are the same colour, no eye strain.

People are still going back to see Avatar again and again, they wouldn't do that if they were getting headaches!

Reported the story as lame, this guy is just ranting!

[Marty8370]

The glasses are still prototypes and will probably get lighter before release, and in future 3D updates probably will not be need at all.

[herukuti]

3d might be the "future" but the technology behind "3d" now;stereoscopic, is a fail and a form of presentation that is backwards compatible that supports volume is the future.

[tudors]

and looks really good, i imagine if they used both the stereoscopic and the filming methods needed for 3d without glasses, the two combined could look really good. I am more interested for films, I just hate that i need a new TV again, long wait for me.

[tudors]

i don't mean the crosseyed type, I mean when they use layers to give the perception of depth, a lot of ads are using it, if I had the money I would have a theatre setup.

[bjornbear]

from ANOTHER Microsoft source:

http://articles.moneycentra...

and its the same as every other new piece of tech =)

people fear change and reject it. It's natural. there are things to fix with 3D but, it's going to become standard one day and people who wrote these articles will feel silly =)

but we must question 3D if it is to improve so, fair enough - still silly way of going around it xD

[GodGinrai]

all i know is i want in on some this 3d malarkey. if the tv sets are going for around £1500 ill take one thank you very much! future games will definetly benefit from this kind of tech.

im suprised by greenbergs comments where he downplays the potential of 3d,i read in another article ..could you imagine natal+3d? i can see sony using there wand thingamajig with some form of 3d game.im just saying ,theres some real potential with all these devices these guys are coming out with. im looking forward to it all.

[kewlkat007]

...I think it's a a trend that will pass. Yeah it's nice to go see a movie here and there but everything 3D..is Meh

[cyberwaffles]

that word always cracked me up: flop.

[AEtherbane]

They said HD TV's would be the biggest flop in commercial entertainment ever... this is just a bunch of crap.

[kewlkat007]

I'm sure somewhere along the lines in history everything was said to be a flop and many have come and go and flopped.

3D tv is nothing new..not really sure how it got another kick-start.

[lightningsax]

You know, I expected this to be another fan-ish panning of Sony-supported tech, but this really isn't the case. I like the article. It presents a good argument against the 3D TV surge. While it sure isn't the only view, or the "correct" one if there is such a thing, he brings up good points, mainly that 3D TV's won't be effective if they're small.

In the US, unemployment is at 10%, and underemployment brings it to about 25%. A 3D national sweep isn't happening for these companies anytime soon, especially if they believe everyone's going to buy a new 50-inch 3D TV because it's not worth the money to have 3D on a smaller set. Who knows. Maybe it'll be a Japan/Korea thing. Whatever.

[Godmars290]

I don't expect 3D "TV" to ever do well, but if Avatar looks as good in 3D on a small screen as it did on a large, rentals are going to be great.

[karan8624]

Quote:
"Hey Paul, glad you can make it. Pumped for the game? Yeah, us too. Hey, did you bring your 3D glasses? No? Ah, well, we don't have any extras. Listen, do you mind just manning the snacks and drinks for the next three hours? Appreciate it, Paulie."

Fixed:
Hey Paul, glad you can make it. Pumped for the game? Yeah, us too. Hey, did you bring your 3D glasses? No? Ah, well, we don't have any extras. Dont worry, we can play the game regualrily. Even then, I doubt everybody at the party will be playing at once, you can borrow some. Actually, they dont cost that much so I think I DO have some extras

Its bascially the same as sharing a controller, idiots

[karan8624]

Its bascially the same thing as sharing controllers. The entire argument of the article is invalid with that once statement