3D Television technology is one of the latest trends in home media entertainment systems. It creates 3d picture through a variety of techniques and those are divided to ones that require a special glasses, and the others, so called “True 3d” that is seen without glasses. By now, only a few brands are producing 3d televisions and they are Sony, LG, Philips, Panasonic and Samsung.
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Looking back into history, 3d technology of “moving images” was patented in 1890s, no mistake here, more then 110 years ago. William Friese-Greene, one of the first British movie operators, introduced a technique of 2 almost similar images, with an offset between them. While showing each image to it’s own eye, the image becomes 3d. But the first experiments with 3d shot technology started even earlier, back in 1850s. And in the mid 1950s, 3d TV has become more and more popular in USA and many movies were shot with two versions, one in 3d and one in regular 2d.
And back to our days. 4 different 3d tv technologies that are mostly in use are:
- An Anaglyphic glasses, with those red and cyan lenses that usually you see in a movies.
- Polarization glasses. It also comes with passive lenses polarized, so each eye sees it’s own picture.
- Active shutter glasses. Heavier glasses that require sort of controller and build-in power supply
- Auto 3D or Autostereoscopic television. This is the latest 3D technology, that doesn’t require glasses.
Most common type is the one with active shutter lenses, simply because it provides better quality of 3d image and can serve more people watching. Lately the Auto3D is getting more and more popular. But Auto 3D technology requires way more expensive and technologically advanced 3D screens, and only not long ago they went into a mass production for a relatively normal prices. So if you are looking to buy a 3D television in couple of months, or a year, so consider buying an Automatic 3D one, as it seems to be the latest word in the 3D television technology.
Couple of years ago, was relatively hard to find a content to watch at home in 3D. Nowadays, more and more movies are shot in 3D only, or offering a 2D version as an “addition”. So as long as the 3D technology is becoming more and more popular, will be more 3d content as well. And having a 3d television from a known brand such as Sony is a good investment. 3D screen quality must be a lot better then the regular LCD or plasma screens just because it needs a double refresh rate and also better view angles. And of course it will support latest HDMI connections so you will be able to connect all your hi-tech gadgets.
So while buying a 3d television, check if you are comfortable with the glasses, check if you can actually notice the 3D effect as there are some people not capable of seeing that. Also treat this as a simple normal television, watch some channels, play with the colors, brightness and contrast. Check if the 3D TV can work in bright environment, as not all of us has a special Home Cinema room. Also it is a good option to go to your local electronics shop, pick up a model, and just purchase it online. This way you can save sometimes couple of hundreds of dollars on a brand new 3D television set.