While we're trying to figure out if this is the time
3D technology will stick, after a demo at
NAB 2009,
ZD's Robin Harris is convinced that not only is it the future, but a possible way to save Blu-ray. Moving aside for a moment the question of whether Blu-ray needs saving, his point is that the crisp
Panasonic demo eclipses previous tech shows why
3D represents enough of a jump over standard definition to convince customers to pay for new displays, players and discs, and HD 3D needs Blu-ray's capacity and bandwidth even more than just 1080p. Recent 3D exhibitions have
impressed us too, and between unified standards in the works, compatible displays coming on the market and Hollywood studios chipping in with new 3D flicks and remastered old ones it may have a future in the home someday, but still-extravagant costs, inelegant glasses and
infighting have us thinking Blu-ray will have to stand on its own
even beyond 2010.
posted Apr 27th 2009 1:37PM
Bring on the 3D p0rn! $ shot in 3D FTW!
I highly doubt 3D is the answer, next we'll be charged an extra money per disc for 3D just like at the movie theater.
Thus far I hate 3D but adding another feature does add another feature.
More features are good things especially as they improve with time.
err, strike 'an'
3-D takes the award for most attempts at trend resuscitation. I think an expertly mastered HD disc on a quality LCD/Plasma is hypnotic enough without any gimmicks. I'm already jumpy as it is; the last thing I need is something like a Predator or T-800 trying to reach out and touch me, lol. Some reviewers have written that Blu-ray discs can look almost three-dimensional anyway, thanks to the magic of AVC and VC-1. Studios should just focus on making Blu-ray's enhanced audio/video worth the purchase EVERY time, not just slapping an inferior master on a BD-50 and calling it Blu-ray.
Maybe the experience wasn't representative, but the 3D "ocean" movie I went to certainly wouldn't make me run out to buy 3D technology. Images of whales floating near my head was kind of cool, but the overall bluriness made my head hurt
I've experienced that, where it almost looks 3d. Pretty sweet! I think the key with the real 3d tech is making the whole movie take advantage of it rather than key scenes.
I'm tired of the gimmicky "hand reaching out to catch something" or "baseball flies out of your screen". They need to make the whole picture come alive and pop out hologram style.
Skip 3D lets get some hologram action
Like those discs posted here yesterday?
Anyway, I would love some 3d blu-rays as long as they aren't shitty red-blue glasses type 3d. I have a 3d monitor right now but the only love it gets is for gaming. Right now it's sitting on my desk not even plugged in and its only 2 months old. Sad.
I took my kids to see Monters Vs. Aliens and I was impressed with the quality. I'd be ok with that same quality at home.
Well one thing is for sure.Blu-ray has the space to accomodate a high def 1080p movie in 3D with lossless audio. According to polls I have read in Home Media Retailing last week, 59% of movie-buying consumers said they would be very interested in purchasing 3D movies for their home. You certainly are not going to get the 3D these consumers are talking about with DVD, as 480 just won't cut it with the type of quality they are now seeing in theaters.
My belief is that 3D will absolutely help the Blu-ray format. But I think without 3D, the format is going to do quite well this holiday season as Video Retailing has talked to several player manufacturers who said that full profile players will be available for as little as $99 this holiday season.
The biggest problem I see is not with the hardware, but the price of the software. If you shop Amazon, you can find hundreds of blu-ray movies between 8.99 and 19.95. Heck, they are selling some high profile recent releases at under 20.00. But not everyone shops online and the problem is in the B&M stores, where many Blu-rays are between 24.95 and 34.95. That's just too high in this economy. Disney has taken the route of including a DVD and digital copy and priving almost everything at $39.95 suggested retail. How about 2 versions, one without the DVD and digital copy for $29.95, so a store could put it on sale at $19.95? It is the studios (in my opinion) that are slowing the mainstream acceptance of the format, not the hardware.
I thought 3D was largely a gimmick until I saw Coraline 3D in the theaters. Good god was that an impressive experience. If they release the 3D version on Blu-ray I will buy it very quickly.
Finally a decent reason to go blu. Still, the discs are way overpriced.
Look at the theaters. People don't care about digital projection, unless it comes with 3D.
Not a big fan of 3D. Seems to much of a gimic if you ask me
Chris
highdefjunkies.com