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3D TV Myths Busted

Released: 25 June 2010 By: Stephen Scott
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We've had a lot of questions since Samsung launched the 3D TV revolution, and it's only fair we pass on the knowledge we've collected. So without much further ado...

Myth #1: You don't need two TVs! Blame it on poor advertising by the manufacturers, but some people believe that 3D TVs can only display 3D. Not true. 3D TVs just happen to be the top-of-the-line Plasma and LED TVs in the range - they need to be to have the refresh rate to display left & right images so quickly that they eye can't discern it without glasses. And trust us on this, the Full High Definition 1,080p images on these sets when they're not in 3D mode are fantastic!

Myth #2: You need special glasses. OK, this one's actually true. The agreed standard by the industry is to use Active Shutter Glasses - a fancy name for a simple concept. These powered glasses alternately allow each eye to see a different image. The images on screen refresh in time with the glasses so you can view the 3D image. The good news is that most sets are coming with free sets of glasses, and most are rechargeable. The bad news is that while the industry has agreed upon a standard for showing, the glasses are a different matter, and most don't appear interchangeable between models (so Samsung glasses won't work on Panasonic sets).

Myth #3: 3D glasses cause headaches. There have been few (if any) reports of people finding the Active Shutter Glasses uncomfortable. While some complaints are justified (there’s a small percent of people the glasses don’t work on), most are psychosomatic, as the glasses are essentially just filtering light at high speed. You might feel a little geeky when you first put them on, but after watching for a while you forget you’re wearing them. And you only need to wear them while watching in 3D mode.

Myth #4: I need new cables and AV components. Slightly true. Most high speed HDMI 1.3 cables can actually handle the signal required for 3D, and the new 1.4 versions will definitely carry the signal correctly (special note – HDMI are changing their names shortly, so be sure you buy High Speed or High Speed with Ethernet). On the hardware side, to play a 3D Blu-Ray you either need a PlayStation 3 (with firmware upgrade) or a new 3D compatible Blu-Ray Player – be sure to keep your eye out for firmware upgrades for these as there will be constant improvements. If hooked through an AV Receiver, then you’ll also need to upgrade to one of the newer models due out in the second half of the year. Again, this is due to them not able to currently process the data required to display 2 images at once.

Myth #5: 3D TVs are too expensive. Here’s a big one busted – the 3D models are just the top-of-the-line TVs in each range. When compared to last year’s models, they’re around the same price. Yet you’re now getting 3D thrown in for free! And think about it, when Plasmas, LCD & now LEDs first launched, people ridiculed the idea as they cost too much. Now they’re everywhere. Give it a few years and we predict it will be close on impossible to buy a TV without 3D.

Myth #6: What’s the point? There’s no content! Hard to argue this, except if you’re a footy fan you won't use this argument after watching the State of Origin. It’s currently being repeated on Channel 31 (the assigned channel for 3D in Australia), and if you’re curious then pop in and watch some of it. The depth is incredible, and at one point we all thought it was raining in the showroom. With a surround sound system, you’ll almost feel like you’re part of the crowd. And what did that guy once say? “If you build it they will come”? There’s over 60 films in development that are being shot in 3D, not to mention the recently released Toy Story 3, Shrek Forever After, How to Train Your Dragon, and a little one you might have missed called Avatar. And let’s not get started on the gaming potential: already around the corner are the long-awaited Gran Turismo 5 and Tron Evolution.

Myth #7: My TV is “3D Ready” – do I need a new set? This one is yet to be finalised, as some models (eg Mitsubishi) use a different system to the agreed standard (checkerboard vs frame stacking). However there have been announcements regarding adapter devices being released, so best to check with the manufacturer whether your set is compatible with the new standard.

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