Future of 3D gaming and media *spawn

[Shifty Geezer]

That tech is unworkable in the mainstream home:

The system relies upon a special screen that is dotted with tiny pixel-sized domes that deflect images taken from slightly different angles into the right and left eye of the viewer.

It's projection based, a variation on the lenticular concept of splitting up an image to different directions. May as well ask Joe Public to hang a silver screen up in their living room and wear polarized glasses.

Apple also proposes using 3D imaging technology to track the movements of multiple viewers and the positions of their eyes so that the direction the image is deflected by the screen can be subtly adjusted to ensure the picture remains sharp and in 3D.

Not original and not terribly practical for the immediate future. Thus what Apple is working on is extremely unlikely to impact 3DTV in the home in the coming years.

 

[Arwin]

At the same time seeing so many companies invest in technology and research into 3D also pretty much makes clear that most of them see a viable future in 3D.

 

[patsu]

It is possible that private, portable viewing become an important part of household entertainment. As I mentioned a few times, I'm seeing husbands, wives and kids watch different TV programs at the same time using multiple pads, PCs and TVs. Stereoscopic 3DTV may offer the highest quality viewing experience, but it's not a bad idea to use portable players (outdoor and at home) as spearhead too. e.g., It's totally fine to use a 3D pad to look at 3D photos and family media; or to deliver 3D movies from PS3 to the pad.

 

[NavNucST3]

The projector I just bought does 3D but man what a clusterfuck of "companies working together" of trying to get AUDIO. I thought about rebuying a PS3 but again realized the audio limitations and then there is the whole praying that the pass-through on my AVR is truly pass-through if not I will need dual-hdmi devices with one for video and one for audio...and I will still need to get a 1.4 splitter...I'll say it again...going HD was MUCH easier and cheaper as an early-ish adopter. If I want a "true" 3D experience I literally have to change all of my components. I'm thinking the PS3 might actually be my best bet because if I recall correctly I can send video through hdmi and do audio through optical/toslink. My BEST best bet is simply to stay 2D, wait until the rest of my equipment dies and replace piecemeal, we should be on gen2 of the 2D->3D converting BD players by then...most of the blame can be laid at the feet of HDMI.

 

[Danalys]

Yeah if my AV receiver can pass through the signal properly then I just need to wait for a 1.4 compliant polarised screen 3D monitor or TV at a decent price and I'll dive in. Heck I might put up with switching cables around for different purposes if that is necessary. Might wait for a 4K screen to get 1080p polarized 3D.

I think polarized TVs can be better than even the cinema, since no polarization should be lost and both frames are shown simultaneously, as they are shot. The concern is with the 2D picture quality but I'd be happy to wear the glasses to watch 2D content where the same image was sent to each eye. It would be fairly simple to allow such a mode, but then simple things aren't always thought of by those in a position to implement them.

I don't get the glasses hate. It's like everyone forgot sunglasses were cool or something.

 

[NavNucST3]

Yeah if my AV receiver can pass through the signal properly then I just need to wait for a 1.4 compliant polarised screen 3D monitor or TV at a decent price and I'll dive in. Heck I might put up with switching cables around for different purposes if that is necessary. Might wait for a 4K screen to get 1080p polarized 3D.

I think polarized TVs can be better than even the cinema, since no polarization should be lost and both frames are shown simultaneously, as they are shot. The concern is with the 2D picture quality but I'd be happy to wear the glasses to watch 2D content where the same image was sent to each eye. It would be fairly simple to allow such a mode, but then simple things aren't always thought of by those in a position to implement them.

I don't get the glasses hate. It's like everyone forgot sunglasses were cool or something.

[strike]Are you in the US[/strike] international distribution I believe; I bought a 4k screen.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Got a 4k projector to go with it?

 

[AlphaWolf]

I don't get the glasses hate. It's like everyone forgot sunglasses were cool or something.

Having to wear glasses for viewing TV completely cripples your ability to multitask. Sunglasses don't prevent you from doing other things, unless you're going to wear them at night, which is not cool.

 

[patsu]

Besides Vizio, LG will release a passive glasses 3DTV:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/3D_TVs/LG/LG_Launching_a_65_Inch_Passive_Tech_3D_TV/6076

The first, and most obvious advantage to going with a 3D television that's equipped to work with the same passive glasses used in movie theaters is that the glasses themselves are dirt cheap. Twenty guys coming over for the Super Bowl? No problem.

The other advantage that we're excited to test for ourselves is an apparent flicker free 3D image. The set has been certified by TUV and Intertek, but it's really the sort of thing you'll want to see for yourself. LG says the new set provides brighter and clearer images than the competition.

I went to SonyStyle yesterday. They now have a new 3D short documentary called "Under the Sea", more elaborate than Panasonic's "Coral Reef" demo. They use a variety of 3D effects in the show. It's pretty amazing to see the sea creatures swim in your 3DTV "tank", and pop their heads out of the TV. Should check it out if you're interested in 3D.

Some scenes are as stable as the Panasonic set (No flicker), but you can still see "shimmer" in a few scenes. If Sony want to focus on LCD/LED panels, then they should fix this problem first. This is the only reason preventing me from buying a 3D LCD TV/monitor (compared to a Plasma TV).

 

[NavNucST3]

Got a 4k projector to go with it?

After a jillion hours spent perusing avsforum I went with the "conventional" wisdom that the screens are of equal to more importance than the projectors and that more than likely people will go through numerous projectors but not screens. What made my purchase even more difficult was finding a good/great acoustically transparent moire-free screen. Having said all of that, I'm sure once 4k's come down ummm slightly (read: WAAAAYYYYY DOWN) from their $150k price I'll bite

 

[Danalys]

Having to wear glasses for viewing TV completely cripples your ability to multitask. Sunglasses don't prevent you from doing other things, unless you're going to wear them at night, which is not cool.

Passive glasses don't interfere with multitasking. You don't get strobing on other displays or on some lights like you do with active glasses. for all intents and purposes they are none UV protective sunglasses that aren't as dark. Some sun glasses are even polarized to reduce glare.. Oh and sun glasses at night are cool it's just the not being able to see where your going that's not.

 

[Danalys]

Besides Vizio, LG will release a passive glasses 3DTV:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/3D_TVs/LG/LG_Launching_a_65_Inch_Passive_Tech_3D_TV/6076



I went to SonyStyle yesterday. They now have a new 3D short documentary called "Under the Sea", more elaborate than Panasonic's "Coral Reef" demo. They use a variety of 3D effects in the show. It's pretty amazing to see the sea creatures swim in your 3DTV "tank", and pop their heads out of the TV. Should check it out if you're interested in 3D.

Some scenes are as stable as the Panasonic set (No flicker), but you can still see "shimmer" in a few scenes. If Sony want to focus on LCD/LED panels, then they should fix this problem first. This is the only reason preventing me from buying a 3D LCD TV/monitor (compared to a Plasma TV).

I'm not sure if "shimmer" is an artefact of the resolution or not. I've seen shimmer in any bloomy scene I've seen in 3D so far..Perhaps the slight time difference between frames is responsible. Would be nice to know the culprit for sure, but it's the kind of information that could be hard to stumble across.

 

[patsu]

I'm not sure if "shimmer" is an artefact of the resolution or not. I've seen shimmer in any bloomy scene I've seen in 3D so far. Perhaps the slight time difference between frames is responsible. Would be nice to know the culprit for sure, but it's the kind of information that could be hard to stumble across.

Yap, that's the flicker effect I'm talking about. It's indeed most noticeable in bright scenes. I think it's the refresh rate. I don't notice it on Plasma 3D demoes. That could mean the Plasma TVs are better at it, or *maybe* the demoes are not bright enough.

In any case, I really liked what I saw on the Viera, and Sony's "Under the Sea" documentary.

 

[corduroygt]

Passive glasses don't interfere with multitasking. You don't get strobing on other displays or on some lights like you do with active glasses. for all intents and purposes they are none UV protective sunglasses that aren't as dark. Some sun glasses are even polarized to reduce glare.. Oh and sun glasses at night are cool it's just the not being able to see where your going that's not.

Neither do active glasses, since they turn off when they cannot see the IR signal.

 

[AlphaWolf]

Both active and passive interfere, active just more so.

The fact that they turn off when you leave the room actually means that you would have to leave the room.

 

[patsu]

That's one of the reasons why gamers are seen as a potential early adopters for stereoscopic 3D. Multitasking while playing game is not a very smooth experience. All my characters died in Heavy Rain while I eat and play at the same time.

The other entry points are glasses-free mobile/personal gaming, or family media viewing.

EDIT:
I can get 3DTV @ a promo price of $1400 with free 3D movies, 3D glasses and 3D player in Costco (if I remember correctly). The regular price need to be at the similar level. Internet TV may gain more traction next year compared to 3DTV. Tapping on 3D Internet content may be applicable also.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

Having to wear glasses for viewing TV completely cripples your ability to multitask. Sunglasses don't prevent you from doing other things, unless you're going to wear them at night, which is not cool.

You're over analyzing. There's a whole host of reasons people don't want to wear glasses to watch TV in their home or someone else's home that has absolutely nothing to do with whether they are active or passive.

Regards,
SB

 

[AlphaWolf]

You're over analyzing. There's a whole host of reasons people don't want to wear glasses to watch TV in their home or someone else's home that has absolutely nothing to do with whether they are active or passive.

Regards,
SB

Oh certainly, I'm just offering that its an additional concern over and above the normal inconvenience and health concerns.

 

[patsu]

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/3-...t-despite-60-hdtv-household-penetration-21524

More than 60% of households in the United States have at least one high-definition television, compared to just 12% of households in 2005, while consumer interest in 3DTV remains reserved, according to a new report.

Leichtman Research Group in Durham, N.H., said 26% of households have multiple HDTVs compared to just 1% in 2005.

Despite 80% of adult consumers in a survey of 1,034 respondents indicating they were familiar with the concept of 3DTV, only 8% said they are interested in purchasing one. To date, less than 1% of households have a 3D-compatible HDTV.

The latter percentage helped undermine Best Buy’s most recent fiscal period where sales of high-end consumer electronics, including 3DTV and connected TVs, through Black Friday (Nov. 26) fell below expectations.

...

Further hindering 3DTV growth is scant availability of 3D Blu-ray movies, with studios releasing less than 20 titles in the format through the end of 2010, according to industry experts.

“With modest consumer demand for 3D-capable TVs, the potential growth of 3DTV will rely on a continued push of 3DTV by manufacturers and retailers, as well as the fact that about one-fifth of all U.S. households purchase a new TV each year,” said analyst Bruce Leichtman.

Leichtman said there is light at the end of the 3DTV tunnel as 24% of respondents who have seen 3DTV rated it from 8 to10, with 10 being excellent. About 18% of all households plan to purchase a new TV set in the next 12 months.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

12% had HDTVs in 2005? Wasn't that a good 5 years since HDTV was released? 3DTV has a much bigger push, but these sorts of figures show it is very unlikely to become mainstream until mid next-gen, unless next-gen starts really late.