3D – How much you gonna spend?

In the consumer technology field today there is nothing with more buzz than 3D.  This isn’t the first time.  3D movies have been around since the 1890s – that’s right 1890 with a 1-8 (sorry Avatar you are over 100 years late).  In the 1950’s their popularity spiked again.  we are all familiar with the classic black and white picture of people sitting in a theater transfixed in their white cardboard glasses.

In the 1980s there was new interest in 3D movies care of the IMAX format.  Although very impressive it was still a novelty and often relied on 3D stunts like a sword coming straight at you held inches from you nose.  Fast forward to the oughts (2000s), animated movies started going 3D and getting more sophisticated relying less and less on cheap 3D clichés.  In December 2009 Avatar came out.  For a lot of people (especially ones without kids) this was the first 3D movie they had seen since the 80s (if they were that old).  3D was turning into a tool rather than a gimmick.  The technology is showing signs of maturity.  You still needed wonky glasses but the 3D was mostly used to help convince you that what was going on was real.  People ate it up.

Many people, yours truly included, have been staying away from movie theaters more and more.  The audio visual experience on their couch was equal to or better that that which the movie theater could offer.  And when you factor in the prices of tickets, snacks, the sticky floors and the people that think a movie requires a running commentary, well it’s a slam dunk.  Wait a few months and watch the blockbuster it in your own theater.

But now!  The theater has something that you don’t.  And you want it.  Watching a well made 3D movie just isn’t the same on your 2D setup.  So, whatcha going to do?  Many people have started to go back to the movies.  The theaters will have a chance to win back some of their lost customers.  I hope they don’t blow it.  Others are going to want that 3D experience at home.  Maybe they have gotten spoiled by their private media rooms and will NEVER opt for the public option, or perhaps they are early adopters drawn like a moth to the flame of new technology or maybe, just maybe, they think it’s changed the game and there is no going back.  When people start filling up this last category you have a mainstream product.  High Def TV found its way into this group, something like home automation has not.

TV shows are starting to be broadcast in 3D and there are several 3D channels planned.  Sony is placing a huge bet on 3D, it could make or break the company.  Their new 3D TV line goes on sale in a month, they will come with  active glasses that block the vision of one eye then the other and open it up again 120 times a second for each eye.  They will cost about $133, your new TV will come with 2 pair.  DO NOT drop these in the bin on your way out.

So, back to my original question, what about you?  How much are you going to spend to get that extra dimension?  Do you think 3D will be the next hi-def?  And will cause millions to upgrade their displays (the same thing that is happening with TVs is also happening with computer monitors) or will it be more like home projectors, more of a niche product?