With technology improvements and dropping prices, 3D HDTV may be at the tipping point

Avatar 3D on Panasonic HDTV (click or larger image)

There is nothing in home theatre that compares with the excitement of watching a 3D movie.

Your next TV may be a 3D capable set, despite the naysayers in the media.

3D picture quality is superb and active 3D glasses are no longer a barrier to the 3D effect. 

Since it takes better technology to display 3D images, the 2D picture on 3D sets is often better than comparable non-3D models.

In some cases the price difference between 3D and 2D sets has disappeared. Future Shop has 6 highly rated 3D HDTVs for under $1,000.

I’ve been looking to replace my main TV for 7 months and picked the Sony 3D 55″ HDTV (KDL55HX729) since it was the same price as comparable LED sets from Samsung and LG.

The picture quality on both 3D and 2D just blew me away. Words like “awesome”, “stunning”, “exciting” and “awesome” (again) just kept coming to my lips after the simple hookup.

I can’t believe I accidentally stumbled on a quantum leap in home TV entertainment.

3D TV

3D movies have been gaining popularity in the past few years with blockbusters like Avatar.  The effect is spectacular when done correctly.

While movie sales are down overall, revenues from 3D movies are up says the  NY TImes. People are voting with their pocketbooks because 3D offers a more immersive movie experience.

HDTV is long past the tipping point. As of August 2011, 70% of US homes had an HDTV.

3D sets were only a small part of the market with less than 10% in 2011. By the end of 2012, some analysts predict 1 in 5 HDTVs will be 3D.

With 3D picture quality, price and content at consumer levels, I suspect that number will be much higher.

What can you see in 3D

Tron Legacy was meant to be seen in 3D (Tron Legacy Olivia Wilde)

Content is the king on TV.  There is enough 3D content to interest people and only more to come as 3D gains market share.

There are about 300 + 3D Blu-Ray movies available at Amazon.com. That’s a good start but not enough to convince people to go with 3D.

The bonus is regular HDTV is better on 3D screens. It takes better HDTV electronics to handle the 3D images which is a trickle down benefit for regular HD viewing.

Sony has a teaser for 3D content that went beyond Imax nature specials, animated movies from Pixar and adventure films with 3D sports.

Yes there are sports broadcasts in 3D. Hockey Night in Canada is in 3D. Fox, ESPN and Sky in the UK all have 3D sports channels.

3D sports can be mundane with two planes of view – the forefront and the background, which was in some of the demos. Done right, it adds an awesome, exciting dimension to watching sports on TV.

Have you seen sports on 3D? What do you think?

Active or Passive Glasses

Sony TDGBR250B active 3D glasses

The debate over active or passive glasses rages on. They say active glasses are better and that excellent viewing in passive glasses is years away.

I got two models of Sony active glasses – Sony TDG-BR100 which are battery powered and Sony TDG-BR250/B which are USB rechargeable. Both models are very good. Other than some fiddly problems with the battery door, the TDG-BR100/B model is slightly more comfortable.

Two hours seem like the max time to wear 3D glasses which work on the stereoscopic effect. It does strain your eyes which is a good reason to get up for a bio or food break.

What to buy

In Canada, Future Shop and Costco are two sources of quality sets at low prices. Future Shop has the advantage of an active user base with plenty of reviews.

That’s how I picked the KDL55HX729. It was very highly rated by Future Shop customers and the prices was as low as Samsung or LG. Future Shop and Sony also had a bundle which included a free 3D Blu-Ray Player, 2 pairs of TDGBR250B active 3D glasses and Sony’s Home-Theatre-in-a-Box.

Amazon.com has the Sony Bravia KDL-55HX729 55-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV with Built-In Wi-Fi for $1,545.

Prices on HDTVs and 3D HDTVs change constantly, mostly downward, so check around.

Samsung is the market leader in 3D HDTVs, followed by LG. They also have plenty of reports of screen defects that steered me back to good old Sony who only get glowing user reviews.

There are advantages to keeping within one manufacturers product family for HDTV and 3D systems. One remote can often operate two or three items, avoiding remote clutter.

On the Sony system I got, everything immediately recognized the other Sony units which makes for a smooth setup and operation.

This winter will be fun no matter how much it snows, if it ever does.