Buying Guide: 3D Televisions
The 3D TV revolution has landed, with 2010 strongly being cast as the year of the 3D TV. Technology in these units is advanced. Very advanced. Some of the finer points are explained further down this buying guide, with the more important considerations (what equipment is needed, price points, broader concepts, etc) highlighted earlier on. If, like a lot of our mates, you still think of red and blue cellophane when 3D is mentioned, then read on to find out what 3D really means in the 21st century…
What do i need to make 3D TV work?
3D TV requires more than just a 3D compatible television. Your 3D Home Entertainment System is just that, a full home entertainment system. As well as the centre piece that is your 3D TV, you’ll also need a 3D enabled Media Player, along with special 3D compatible glasses and 3D content. The 3D enabled media players available to begin with are pretty much only consisting of 3D capable Blu-Ray Players, but down the track certain gaming consoles (think PS3), and perhaps digital media players as well, will also be able to output your 3D content.
The actual 3D Television is not a new category of TV, rather, 3D TV is a feature within existing screen types. Screen types are still limited to Plasma, LCD and LED back lit LCD. For a full rundown of these, check out out Buying Guide: Televisions article.
Can i still watch normal programming and what’s the quality like?
Two words… Yes and Great. The 3D TV sets that are being released this year are the top of the line models, with features to match. As a point of reference, the new Samsung Series 7 3D LED (the first 3D set to land in the country), is a Full HD 1080p panel, with 200Hz MotionPlus refresh rate. Image quality, even on plain old 2D pictures, is superb. You won’t need to wear the 3D glasses when watching normal programming either, as it functions just like you would expect a regular top of the range TV would.
When do i have to wear the 3D glasses?
Simple really – put on the glasses when you’re watching 3D content. All other times you can leave them in the drawer, or on the coffee table, or wherever else it is you leave them (somewhere safe preferably – they’re not cheap). If you are watching 3D content though, make sure it’s with the glasses. Without, it’ll be rather fuzzy looking.
So how does 3D TV work?
We’ll try and keep it as simple as possible, but this is quite technical information, so if you don’t quite understand something and want to know more, feel free to contact us and we’ll see if we can’t help you understand.
3D TV works by tricking your eyes into thinking there is real depth in the image portrayed. The technology achieves this ‘third dimension’ does this by sending a slightly different picture to each eye. The new 3D technology has 2 ways of doing this. The first involves ‘polarised 3D’, whereby two slightly different images are polarised and superimposed on the screen simultaneously. Viewers then wear ‘polarised 3D glasses’, restricting polarised light and convincing the brain that there is a 3D image in front of you.
The other 3D technology currently in use is that which requires ‘active shutter glasses’. Images are originally captured using side-by-side cameras and the TV controls the ‘active shutter glasses’ you are wearing, and sends the different images alternately to each eye. Your brain then ‘stitches’ the images together if you like, which results in a 3D image. This form of 3D, requiring the shutter glasses, is the one the major brands have decided is the best way forward.
Check out the full range of 3D Televisions here.
Buying Guide: Televisions (May 2010 Update) : : ELJO Media says:
[...] now should keep in good stead for years to come. For a more detailed look at 3D TV, check out our 3D TV Buying Guide. Bookmark or Share this [...]
April 29th, 2010 at 8:28 am