When is it best to buy your first 3D-TV?
It’s hard to ignore the buzz surrounding 3D-TVs these days.
Blame James Cameron, blame Samsung, blame whoever. But these guys are coming, and there’s no way to stop it.
And I suppose “angry” isn’t the right word, but Canadians might have reason to be a little miffed by the rapid technological progression. If you haven’t already, chances are you’ve got plans to spend a thousand bucks or more on a brand new flat panel.
You’re telling me this thing’s going to be obsolete already?!
Yet, where 3D-TV and the accompanying technology will be available en masse this year, it’s worth wondering when it’ll actually reach true mainstream status.
You can already purchase 3D-TVs – there are three listed on BestBuy.ca – and the prices aren’t actually that obscene: $2,500 for a 40-inch, $2,900 for a 46-inch, $3,700 for a 55 inch.
The TVs aren’t much good right away, but they’ll soon feature some enticing goodies for early adopters. Ahead of the Avatar 3D DVD (that’s now been pushed back to a 2011 release) networks will be unveiling 3D broadcasts which will precede the launch of full-scale, full-time three-dimensional channels as early as this year.
Though, as is customary with first-generation consumer tech, we ponder, when is the best time to jump on board?
It would be great, no doubt, to be one of the first to get your hands on one of these TVs. There may be a few kinks, but you’d be on the cutting edge of 3D broadcasts and you’d be the toast of your friends and family for at least a few months.
Of course, there are sure to be kinks. The Internet is heavy with reports the inaugural 3D sets will be filled with problems, including the first brands of glasses – which cost up to $150 each, by the way – that have been alleged to cause headaches by at least one site.
So, when is it best to take the 3D plunge? Now? Next year? Later?
When do you see yourself buying your first 3D-TV?
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: maskell | Mar 26, 2021 5:37:05 PM
I have one, they are more trendy then Ipod's or Iphone's or I'supermodels.
Posted by: JonnyDub | Mar 26, 2021 5:40:59 PM
Personally, I'm gonna wait until probably late this year to early 2011, simply because of the kinks (like you mentioned) and the fact that there's not much to use it for..... yet. When more blu-ray 3D movies start coming out next year (Avatar 3D!), I will be all over it.
But then, for those of us that wear glasses, will these new active-shutter 3D glasses fit over our regular ones? If they don't, I might wait until they release the 3D tech where you don't need to wear glasses, which is in the works (but still years away, most likely).
And by the way, Bestbuy.ca actually lists the Samsung 3D glasses at $249.99, not $150. Children's are $20 cheaper at $229.99:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/samsung-samsung-rechargeable-adult-3d-glasses-ssg-2200ar-za-ssg-2200ar-za/10140322.aspx?path=e83e02de51183198787911ae942ca263en02
You can also get a bundle with 2 pairs and Monsters vs Aliens 3D Blu-ray for $449.99:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/samsung-samsung-3d-kit-3d-glasses-and-movie-ssg-p2100t-za-ssg-p2100t-za/10140323.aspx?path=5f24a492bb5e58767aace2ac3eab4f63en02
Posted by: JD | Mar 26, 2021 6:42:30 PM
Personally think 3D is gimmicky, faddish, and will probably go the way of Beta VHS, and HD DVD. Really, do we need to see things like network TV in 3D? Not even slightly interested. I'll just keep my 42 inch HD TV, and not worry about ancillary glasses needed to see things in 3D. I got laser surgery on my eyes so I wouldn't HAVE to wear glasses. I'm certainly not going to wear special glasses to watch T V.
Posted by: Peter | Mar 26, 2021 7:49:07 PM
I wonder why an article called "When is it best to buy your first 3D-TV?" ends with "So, when is it best to take the 3D plunge? Now? Next year? Later?". I thought the article was going to provide some insight since that's what one is led to beleive by the title...
Personally, I think I'll wait.
Posted by: stephen R | Mar 26, 2021 10:16:18 PM
horrible article. I walk away no better informed. thanks for nothing.
3d is garbage, and not really 3D. when watching it you only see what they want you to see in 3D. true 3D would give shape and depth to everything in the image you see not just select objects.
then there is the whole glasses thing. why do i want to put on stupid looking glasses to watch tv. by the way i just got the best buy and future shop flyer and one set of glasses goes for 250$. WTF
by the way you need a set for each person who wants to watch. so that 2500$ tv is now 3000$ for two people.
what i don't understand is why they are battery powered. when you go to the theater, there are no batteries. bet you could just steal them and they would work just as well. and I also find that it gives me a headache.
im not buying into this bull. pretty sure you don't need a special tv for 3d, or a special bluray player, or special battery powered glasses. samsung can go peddle they're snake oil to some fool with too much money to burn.
Posted by: Marilyn | Mar 27, 2021 12:05:28 AM
"You’re telling me this thing’s going to be obsolete already?!" - No 100% not over.
"So, when is it best to take the 3D plunge? Now? Next year? Later?" - This is a private question that should be discussed with those making the purchase.
"Personally think 3D is gimmicky, faddish, and will probably go the way of Beta VHS, and HD DVD. Really, do we need to see things like network TV in 3D? Not even slightly interested. I'll just keep my 42 inch HD TV, and not worry about ancillary glasses needed to see things in 3D. I got laser surgery on my eyes so I wouldn't HAVE to wear glasses. I'm certainly not going to wear special glasses to watch T V." - Contact Lenses are a less invasive option.
"im not buying into this bull. pretty sure you don't need a special tv for 3d, or a special bluray player, or special battery powered glasses. samsung can go peddle they're snake oil to some fool with too much money to burn. " - Where there is a "Will", there is a "100% Way"!!!
Posted by: Perky Fudgemonkey | Mar 29, 2021 2:12:58 AM
3D TVs are definitely the real deal. They'll soon make all other models obsolete, but that's not to say that everyone will switch over (ie. DVDs are obsolete but I still use them). It is quite possible for every object on screen to be three dimensional. I was just reading that the first hockey game has already been broadcast in 3D, and it's not like they can pick and choose what object to project into 3D.
The glasses are much different from theatre specs because they aren't using polaroid filters to give two different images. Apparently each lens has a shutter that alternates at 60Hz so that when one eye is open, the other is closed. That is why batteries are necessary.
This article makes poor a reference to the 3D TVs causing headaches. The link hardly mentions anything about headaches. I know it can likely happen; but instead they should be warning people that already lack depth perception that these TVs would be a poor investment.
Posted by: Dean | Mar 29, 2021 6:55:28 AM
So it's the Masters in 3 D, or the NCAA Final Four, or the 7th game of the World Series. Let's get the group together....let's see we'll have 8 guests. We'll need 8 pairs of 3 d glasses. We'll get them at Best Buy....8 x $250 = $2000.
I'll just watch it alone!!!
Dean
Posted by: Jason Buybetter | Mar 29, 2021 8:28:03 AM
I just bought one through a company called Home Assist Canada. They recommended where I go to buy such a item so I don't get ripped off. The people at www.homeassistcanada.ca were so friendly and knowledgeable,it was unbelieveable. You don't find service like that anymore. Try them www.homeassistcanada.ca You can't go wrong!
Posted by: kevin sherren | Mar 29, 2021 1:15:34 PM
Some of us are too resistent to change. Is it any different then when the "walkman" first came out? People rathered to carry a boom box on their shoulder then wear a set of ridiculous head phones. I think 3D tv's are here to stay but the first ones are already obsolete as LG prepares to launch their LED tv's. These will not require expensive battery powered glasses. I will wait until late this fall as I figure that 3D will be the Christmas fad this year!
Posted by: malarkey | Apr 15, 2021 11:30:21 PM
back in the day, my dad got an 8-track for his car, even though other people called it 'trendy' and 'fadd-ish' at the time.
as a result, i prefer to let 'cutting-edge-first-in-line-consumers' subsidize the costly research/development of my later, smarter purchase.