3D TV Coming 'Atcha
NEIRAD enilno edition
It seems that in the current world of entertainment, every movie is released twice, once as a regular 2D film, and once in 3D. 3D movies allow the viewer to feel like they’re in the movie itself, participating in the action along with the characters. This experience does not come without a hefty price. Normally, movie tickets are about $10, for a 3D film, that price jumps to around $13. But soon, consumers won’t need to pay extra for a ticket to see 3D films because it will be available right on their TV.
3D television was the most talked about innovation at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The non-public trade show, held every year in Las Vegas was host to more than 2,700 exhibitors, including the latest in television technology. While 3D has long been available in movies, this is the first step to bringing 3-dimensional technology into the home.
With the unveiling of 3D plasma screen came the announcement from ESPN it will launch a new network devoted entirely too 3D-dimensional broadcasting in June. The 2010 Fifa World Cup is the first major event scheduled to broadcast on the ESPN 3D camera channel from South Africa in June. After the World Cup, ESPN moves on to college basketball. When there are no 3D programs to be aired, the channel will remain blank. The Discovery Channel has also announced plans to launch a 3D network in 2011.
However, unless you’re an avid soccer fan, a 3D television may not be a wise investment just yet. A 42-inch flat screen TV with 3D capabilities starts around $9,000, not something in most people’s budget. But prices are almost guaranteed to come down after its been on the market for a few months. Look at the iPhone, it was first introduced in 2007 for around $600. Three years later, it is available for purchase for about $100.
Yet, I have to ask myself, is there really anything on television worth suffering the side effects of 3D? After seeing Avatar in 3D (Link TO Emily Close’s review in January Neirad Enlino http://darienps.org/neirad/1001ecloseavatar.php) I had a horrible headache and felt sick to my stomach; could people really take this intense experience for periods of time that exceed two hours? And who really wants to sit around their house wearing funny 3D glasses? (In the US, glasses for 3D TV can cost anywhere from $70 to $100 in addition to the price of the TV.)
Junior Lauren Littell said “3D TV would be really cool, but it would also ruin the fun of going to see 3D films in theaters! I feel like all of this new technology is replacing traditions and old school stuff, which is kind of a bummer.”
Unlike Littell, Jessica Ginsburg, English teacher and Jets enthusiast, cherishes the idea of being able to watch her beloved team in 3D from the comfort of her own home so much that she wrote a poem about it.
"Gang Green on my screen!
In dimensions unseen!
No longer a dream
for my underdog team!
The Jets in 3D
means I'd get to see
so many great things--
and what would they be?
Mark Sanchez the Fair
aiming high in the air,
but it's ME on the snap,
the ball lands in my lap!
J.Co and Washington,
Jonesy and Green
(Should I call their plays?
They just ran past me!)
The Island of Rev-
is where you might believe
it's not such fun to be;
it's now much fun for me.
Or so it would seem
as my beloved team
shows up in my living room
playing for me."
Currently, there are about one million televisions with the latest 3D capabilities. While the number may increase to three or five million in the next few years, the audience of 3D television will remain rather small. Samsung has taken steps to mass produce 3D compatible screens in an attempt to lower prices and make 3D TV more accessible. But between 2007 and 2009 more than 40 million HD TVs were sold in this country and with little TV programming available in 3D, many consumers may not be ready for the expensive upgrade. It may take as many as 10 years for 3D TV to go mainstream, and how popular it will be is in doubt based on price point and some not wanting too much of a good thing.
