Apparently everything we just may have bought is already obsolete...

[itschris]

Here's in interesting quick read on 3D.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/04/high-definition-television-goes-dimensional/?test=latestnews

There's a fine line between constant innovation and causing outright frustration with the buying public. On one hand, I love all this new stuff coming out, but at the same time, it's also extremely frustrating that we spend so much money on gets surpassed in such a short time nowadays. I concerned aboiut a backlash... especially from people who may have somewhat reluctantly finally dove into the HD world with a new flat screen and bd player. I think the average consumer gets put off by all this to a certain degree.

Talk about being conflicted!

 

[Halon451]

Eh, I wouldn't worry too much. I think the article deliberately overstates the "obsolete" connotation presumably for better dramatic impact, but in reality any flat panel 1080p display and BD player is still at the forefront of what is considered mass produced technology these days. This excludes technology that is currently under development, those that maybe have a few demonstration models out (at trade shows for example), etc. The LED displays are out now, but really they're just another interpretation of sorts on technology that already exists. BD players continue to go up in quality and down in price, but that's been the case for years with technology and anyone of us could have seen it. Also, anyone who's been paying attention to this stuff can probably surmise that at some point the industry is going to come together to push new 3D formats as they figure out better, cheaper and more efficient ways of doing it. Personally I don't think that's going to happen for some time, but I could be wrong.

 

[Ares]

Well that's great news for the companies that sells the gear$$$, that means upgrade time may come earlier than expected,well one bright spot if you own a PS3 all you have to do is update the firmware.

 

[son-yah-tive]

HALON I agree. When I first saw HD, I told myself that the only thing left now is to go 3D. And here it comes. But, like Halon say's it will be awhile. Too many people aren't going to dump their new 3-5,000 dollar sets for some time. So there is not much of a market yet.

 

[itschris]

I think there's a difference between what we know vs what the average joe kows. I just think there a lot of people who just get frustrated by the never ending train of upgrades. Don't get me wrong... innovation is great... but it's hard to keep up and justify shelling out the big bucks ever 2 or 3 years. It used to be you got a big screen RPTV and you pretty much set for 10 years or more.

 

[Halon451]

I don't get frustrated.. I simply click 'Confirm Purchase'.

J/K.. I wish.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Zero Wories

I have absolutely no worries whatsoever.

I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D and also in regular 2D.

My wife asked me which one I preferred.

It took me 1 second to answer her: I preferred the 2D Avatar.

Why?

It wasn't because the IMAX 3D was bad. Far from it. It was a COOL experience.

But if there's one thing I can't stand -- it's wearing GLASSES or any other accessories while I'm watching a movie (or listening to music). I can't stand it. It looks NERDY. It feels NERDY. It feels uncomfortable.

In my HT room, I'm lying on my comfy sofa watching my BDs. There is no way I'm lying on my sofa wearing some stupid eye-goggle to watch movies.

3D (& IMAX) to me is just another Been-There-Done-It experience. And now that I've been there, and done it, it is absolutely nothing special at all.

Oh, and my 73" HDTV already has 3D technology. And I won't even spend $1 on any 3D eye-glasses either.

 

[Quickley17]

to me the crazy thing is that a company like Sony can market a state of the art TV with 1080p and 120 hz technology call it the model "yadayada-4" sell it for 2000 dollars, and 2 years later, the tv is still 1080p, they call it the model "yadayada-11" (maybe even 12 now) and sell it for the same price. 7 new models in 2 years is outrageous. Especially when you are talking about the supposed top of the line.

 

[pzaur]

3D has been in the works for a long time. It's nothing new. This has also been a part of the blu-ray spec since blu-ray was created. None of us should really be surprised.

Will our devices be obsolete? Nope. Will they be "behind the curve" when the newer devices are released? Of course. That's how it always is. There is no way any signal could go "3D only." Too many devices that aren't capable of handling it. Think of the chaos caused by the digital transition and multiple that exponentially!

Amazingly, my "obsolete" Pentium M laptop works just fine with XP Pro!

-pat

 

[Ares]

My Grandmother still has a Zenith Floor console TV from 1973 or 76 not to sure on the year and it still works. They don't make TV's like that anymore either they break in first couple of years or there is something newer and better on the market.

 

[Halon451]

Oh, as for the speed at which things are being "innovated", well that's not just limited to A/V. Technology across the board has been on an exponential rise for a number of years. Since much of this innovation has come about with the use of computers, advanced graphing techniques, AutoCAD, you name it - it stands to reason that those very innovations are fueling future R&D in a cyclic manner. Buying an old rear projection TV years ago might have set you up for about 10 years, but it just doesn't happen that way anymore, no matter what area of technology you find yourself in. That's why those older generation folks who can't learn to adapt quickly are often left in the dust and lost... my Dad is a prime example of this.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I think there's a difference between what we know vs what the average joe kows. I just think there a lot of people who just get frustrated by the never ending train of upgrades. Don't get me wrong... innovation is great... but it's hard to keep up and justify shelling out the big bucks ever 2 or 3 years. It used to be you got a big screen RPTV and you pretty much set for 10 years or more.

I think a major reason I tend to shell out more money on the first go for the audio side of things is that it just lasts longer. When I buy video and processing equipment, I ponder how many years before I have to toss it (since the market is so flooded now with TVs and stuff, resale is basically give it away).

The problem with 3D right now is that it is more like dropping acid than being immersed in something. It isn't real, it's hyper-real. I think it'll get better, right now I don't even want it let alone am I ready for it.

 

[tonedeaf]

I have to say thanks to everyone on this forum.So much great and informative information.Per recommendations from many here I purchased a PS3 last year at a really great price.I finally did something right!:

 

[BMXTRIX]

Obsolete is WAY to strong of a word.

Seriously, your current car may not have airbags - therefore it is OBSOLETE.

See how stupid that sounds? It's just grandstanding journalism instead of focussing on the facts.

3D will be an extension of the 2D technologies. Current BD players potentially may be firmware upgradable to allow for 3D output.

http://dvice.com/archives/2009/12/no-new-blu-ray.php

But, the entire design of the 3D specification is based upon the 2D original. About 50% more video storage will be necessary to allow for 3D to be included on the disc. So, a 50GB disc with 35GB of movie, may only have 25GB of video stored (that's a LONG movie) which would work out to an extra 12.5GB necessary for the 3D aspect of the movie to be added.

This leaves the original 2D version at full quality intact.

It also means your current BD player and current TV can enjoy great videos for years to come.

Likewise, just because your current TV/BD player does not (or may not) support 3D, as time moves on the odds are good that your next TV and BD player will.

 

[lsiberian]

Obsolete is WAY to strong of a word.

Seriously, your current car may not have airbags - therefore it is OBSOLETE.

See how stupid that sounds? It's just grandstanding journalism instead of focussing on the facts.

3D will be an extension of the 2D technologies. Current BD players potentially may be firmware upgradable to allow for 3D output.

http://dvice.com/archives/2009/12/no-new-blu-ray.php

But, the entire design of the 3D specification is based upon the 2D original. About 50% more video storage will be necessary to allow for 3D to be included on the disc. So, a 50GB disc with 35GB of movie, may only have 25GB of video stored (that's a LONG movie) which would work out to an extra 12.5GB necessary for the 3D aspect of the movie to be added.

This leaves the original 2D version at full quality intact.

It also means your current BD player and current TV can enjoy great videos for years to come.

Likewise, just because your current TV/BD player does not (or may not) support 3D, as time moves on the odds are good that your next TV and BD player will.

Yeah this is much ado about nothing. Other than learning that there is one member who is behind the curve.

 

[pzaur]

Yeah this is much ado about nothing. Other than learning that there is one member who is behind the curve.

Make that two! I've only got a 720p TV with one HDMI input. The horror!

-pat

(It does have firewire and VGA, though...)

 

[djreef]

I have absolutely no worries whatsoever.

I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D and also in regular 2D.

My wife asked me which one I preferred.

It took me 1 second to answer her: I preferred the 2D Avatar.

Why?

It wasn't because the IMAX 3D was bad. Far from it. It was a COOL experience.

But if there's one thing I can't stand -- it's wearing GLASSES or any other accessories while I'm watching a movie (or listening to music). I can't stand it. It looks NERDY. It feels NERDY. It feels uncomfortable.

In my HT room, I'm lying on my comfy sofa watching my BDs. There is no way I'm lying on my sofa wearing some stupid eye-goggle to watch movies.

3D (& IMAX) to me is just another Been-There-Done-It experience. And now that I've been there, and done it, it is absolutely nothing special at all.

Oh, and my 73" HDTV already has 3D technology. And I won't even spend $1 on any 3D eye-glasses either.

Precisely why I spent $4,200 on LASIK.

DJ

 

[djreef]

The problem with 3D right now is that it is more like dropping acid than being immersed in something. It isn't real, it's hyper-real. I think it'll get better, right now I don't even want it let alone am I ready for it.

Really? It's like dropping acid? Hmmmm. I may need to look into this 3D stuff.

DJ

 

[lsiberian]

Really? It's like dropping acid? Hmmmm. I may need to look into this 3D stuff.

DJ

I think he had a bad dealer or something.

 

[lsiberian]

Make that two! I've only got a 720p TV with one HDMI input. The horror!

-pat

(It does have firewire and VGA, though...)

My PJ isn't even 720p and it has a DVI input!