If you have been following the passive/active 3DTV debate, you might worry that 3DTV is heading down the same path that led to the HD DVD/Blu-ray format war. That battle of incompatible disc formats was ugly and unnecessary and could potentially have been avoided, and there is no question that the industry wants to avoid another one at all costs. There are some who claim that consumer excitement in the 3D format for home use is minimal and that adoption is hampered by many factors: expense, lack of content, and those pesky glasses. While all of those factors are valid, the numbers don't back up the naysayers.
Manufacturers are certainly looking forward to the crop of summer blockbusters being offered in 3D; Kung Fu Panda 2, Cars 2, Captain America, and the fourth installment (and hopefully last) of Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney's announcement that two of its biggest hits of all-time; The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast are coming to both theaters and Blu-ray 3D in the fall has already generated a huge buzz. The content issue is coming along, although it will take time before 3D content becomes pervasive.
And while there is some confusion in the market over the passive vs. active 3D TV debate, the fact is that both types of 3DTV can look extremely good, and both are fully compatible with the 3D set-top boxes, gaming systems and Blu-ray 3D players (and content) that are on the market today. With over six million 3D TV units sold globally in its first year, it's clear that 3D TV is making inroads and will continue to find its way into more and more consumers' homes.
And, at least according to one study, buyers of 3D TVs couldn't be more pleased with their purchases. A recently released research study commissioned by the DEG (Digital Entertainment Group) paints a rosy future for the Blu-ray 3D format and for 3D at home in general.
According to the study (conducted by SmithGeiger) which was entitled "3DTV Owners: A Closer Look at The New World of Immersive Home Entertainment," consumers have expressed an overwhelmingly positive experience so far with the technology at home, were generally unfazed by the price premiums involved, and were quite enthusiastic about the future of 3D HDTV and Blu-ray 3D.
When it comes to picture quality, more than 88 percent of respondents rated 3D picture quality positively. Almost 25 percent reported that since they purchased the 3D HDTV, they had watched more television and movies at home; both 2D and 3D content. Blu-ray 3D was the overwhelming choice for content for the majority of owners.
Most of the respondents also felt that the upgrade to a 3D HDTV was well worth the price premium and that the average cost of the set was just over $2,000, with the vast majority purchasing 3D TVs in larger screen sizes: 50-inches or above.
When it comes to those pesky glasses, it would appear that the press is making a bigger deal about it than the people who are actually buying the sets. More than 80 percent expressed that they had experienced no feelings of discomfort when using active or passive glasses and that the adjustment time was minimal to almost nothing. More than 75 percent expressed owning more than two pairs of glasses; with manufacturers such as LG, VIZIO and Samsung now packaging at least two pairs with each 3D TV, this seems to be a case of the industry getting the message. Finally.
Blu-ray 3D players were the favorite platform for 3D viewing, by a wide margin and it would appear that the base of Blu-ray 3D player owners, including owners of Sony's Blu-ray 3D-capable PS3 gaming console, is likely to grow at an exponential rate -- which is great news for the industry.
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