September 2008
3D gets a C-
A NEW VIEW New 3D-ready TVs work with wireless eyeglasses.
Like fuel-efficient cars and hip-hugging jeans, 3D is “in” again. 3D flicks such as “Meet the Robinsons” and “U2 3D” have drawn crowds to theaters, and Disney plans to step up its 3D releases starting later this year.
Now TV makers are trying to bring the experience home with high-definition TVs capable of displaying 3D images. Samsung and Mitsubishi, the two leading 3D proponents, together offer many “3D ready” rear-projection sets. (Samsung also sells a plasma set.) Software and special “shutter” eyeglasses work together to combine left- and right-eye images, creating a 3D effect. But you’ll also need a Windows MediaCenter PC and a fairly robust video card with a DVI or HDMI output.
We used a 56-inch Samsung DLP TV ($2,300) and a 3D kit from eDimensional that includes a pair of wireless shutter glasses and a transmitter. We had to go to another company’s Web site to download the 3D software and then download separate files so we could play DVDs.
Getting the software to work properly was arduous and possibly beyond the ability of most consumers. We also had problems getting the audio and video to play at the same time.
With standard, two-dimensional DVDs, we did see a pseudo-3D effect, but objects didn’t “pop” as they do on, say, an Imax screen. When we viewed a 3D DVD, the effect was more realistic but not dramatically so.
Now TV makers are trying to bring the experience home with high-definition TVs capable of displaying 3D images. Samsung and Mitsubishi, the two leading 3D proponents, together offer many “3D ready” rear-projection sets. (Samsung also sells a plasma set.) Software and special “shutter” eyeglasses work together to combine left- and right-eye images, creating a 3D effect. But you’ll also need a Windows MediaCenter PC and a fairly robust video card with a DVI or HDMI output.
We used a 56-inch Samsung DLP TV ($2,300) and a 3D kit from eDimensional that includes a pair of wireless shutter glasses and a transmitter. We had to go to another company’s Web site to download the 3D software and then download separate files so we could play DVDs.
Getting the software to work properly was arduous and possibly beyond the ability of most consumers. We also had problems getting the audio and video to play at the same time.
With standard, two-dimensional DVDs, we did see a pseudo-3D effect, but objects didn’t “pop” as they do on, say, an Imax screen. When we viewed a 3D DVD, the effect was more realistic but not dramatically so.
