Guys don't get me wrong I'm all for progress of our common hobbie, addiction, love or whatever you want to call it. I just think ok, 3D has been around since the 20's and every so often it makes a comeback, and to be honest I for one don't enjoy the experience, even with todays technology it is still lacking. I'm also unwilling to trade in all my gear for something that may or may not even last. You spend 5or7k just to watch the 10 or so titles that make it on BD 3D and then it's over what's the sense. It wasn't until 2006 that DVD players outnumbered VHS machines, just food for thought.
What's funny, is that I don't think the arguements matter at all.
It's all blowing in the wind type stuff.
3D is a easy technology to implement into displays which are being sold. Yes, a bunch of technical hurdles, but they aren't in the display technology, they are in the microchips which go into the displays. Like LCDs with 120hz/240hz processing and frame interpolation. It's not a reinvention, but an extension of what's already there.
You mentioned DVD players, and I think that's good. How many players available now have HDMI outputs? Most of the ones you buy today have a HDMI output. I would say the majority by far do. You have to LOOK to find one which doesn't have HDMI output. Yet, only about 50% of homes have a HDTV in them at all. So, a feature is added which half the country can't use, and part of the ones that can use it, don't.
3D will be like that, it will be on almost all TVs in 2-3 years because it's easier to get the 3D enabled video processing chip than the non-3D video processing chip.
Also, it's worth noting that 'since the 20's' they have NEVER had anything like the technology we finally have to deliver 3D. Yes, it's still a glasses based technology, but it's a polarizer based technology instead of the anaglyphic glasses which were basically the only option up to this point.
Yes, 5-10 movies a YEAR may be worth viewing in 3D. Plus, 5-10 sporting events. In the FIRST year of release. This is better than HDTV really had to offer in the first year.
But, it's the inevitability of the technology and that it isn't a FORCED change. That is, yes you will be forced to buy it if you want that nicer television, but you don't have to use it. You don't have to buy the glasses. You don't have to turn on the 3D feature.
But, you probably will. You will see some 3D glasses around the holidays for $30 a pair and you'll pick up a set for your kids. Someone will buy you a set. You will have that movie you bought to watch in 2D (Avatar anyone?) which you decide that for $30 more you might as well give it a viewing in 3D.
If they are able to deliver the quality which we are seeing in theaters currently, then while many won't drink of the 3D kool-aid, many more will.
Not this year - but the inevitability of this is amazing.
Popularity and usage is not inevitable - but availability and inclusion within hardware is.
