TV reviewer covers the ground in the new world of TV
Published On Mon Jul 05 2010
Tom KatsiroubasSpecial to the Star
In a technological leap comparable to the move from standard definition television to high definition, the first wave of 3D HDTV sets have hit the stores.
Wearing 3D “active-shutter” glasses, viewers can watch a high-definition image so realistic, it makes watching HDTV feel as though they are looking at live action through a window.
While the 3D effect can produce the eye-popping images that jump right out at you, the overall effect of it is much more natural and it is surprisingly good for the small home-theatre screen.
Until now, 3D technology used red-and-blue coloured lens glasses to produce a 3D image at a cost to the picture quality, which meant viewers endured crappy colour.
With 3D HDTV, the image is produced in stereoscopic high-definition, for each eye alternating between two different images to create the illusion of depth without any loss in picture quality.
It’s also similar to the new RealD 3D technology in theatres that uses polarized 3D glasses to filter images for each eye without losing quality in the images.
Samsung was first to market with its 3D model. This has been on display at electronic stores across the country. And Sony and Panasonic have followed suit.
If you are thinking of running out and picking up a 3D HDTV, here are a few things you definitely need to know:
3D glasses
Before deciding on the make and model, you’ll need to make sure you have enough 3D glasses to go with your HDTV. Some come bundled with one or two pairs, some with none, so consider the overall cost when making your buying decision!
Not all 3D glasses are made to fit everyone. They usually come in two sizes: Adult and children. Some adult glasses will fit an older child just fine, but not perfectly. You may want to try out a few pairs before buying them.
You can only use 3D glasses made by the manufacturer of the 3D HDTV set you are planning on buying. You can’t mix and match between suppliers, a limitation today, but something that may change for future generations of 3D HDTVs.
3D Blu-ray players
You need to buy a 3D Blu-ray player to watch 3D HDTV movies you rent or buy. If you own a Blu-ray player, chances are it does not support 3D Blu-rays.
There is good news for those that own a Sony PlayStation 3 that already can play Blu-ray disks. Sony is releasing a free firmware update that will upgrade it to work as a 3D Blu-ray player with any 3D HDTV.
It should be noted that 3D Blu-ray players also play standard Blu-ray discs, so, if you are in the market for a Blu-ray player, you may want to consider a 3D one for future use.
3D content
Don’t expect a deluge of 3D Blu-ray movies! Today, there are very few titles available, and most of them are bundled with 3D HDTVs. They should start making their way into stores by the holiday season.
There are also no 3D Canadian broadcasts yet. Both Bell and Rogers have said they will have some content before the end of the year.
Health warnings
Samsung recently released a health warning about 3D HDTV images that may cause motion sickness, eye fatigue and dryness, as well as epileptic seizure or stroke when they involve flashing images or lights.
The full warning can be found at http://www.samsung.com/au/tv/pdf/Viewing-3D-TV.pdf.
Other makers of 3D HDTVs have yet to issue a warning.
While the problems Samsung has responsibly warned people of may affect just a few, you should be aware of this if you have any concerns at all before you buy a 3D set and glasses.