When it comes to the ultimate movie watching experience, it doesn’t get much better than 3D. Since 2010, 3D televisions have been slowly making their way into the homes of consumers, with all major brands offering 3D televisions alongside their regular high definition counterparts. But what should be considered before purchasing a 3D television? There are several factors to consider, though given the current state of the economy, let’s start with price.

Price

The price of 3D televisions vary based on size and brand. Most of the major brands – Sony, LG, Samsung, Sharp – already offer 3D versions of their televisions, with smaller models clocking in at under $1,000 and larger, higher end models reaching as high as $6,000. Options typically come down to LCD and Plasma, with Plasma being considered the better option due to better exhibition of black and less crosstalk (see below).

Given that 3D technology in the home requires the best possible displays (faster refresh rates, higher resolution, etc) to get the best possible viewing experience, it is often found on higher end, brand name models. 3D technology looks better on larger screens with the highest possible resolution, so smaller 3D televisions aren’t always worth the savings.

When compared against a comparative model that lacks 3D capabilities, the price difference can be as great as $1,000, meaning you’ll be dropping a chunk of change primarily for the 3D option. On the plus side, high end 3D televisions feature a number of additional options such as Ethernet, WiFi, and USB ports.

Content

Available 3D content is often a major decision point for people looking to purchase a new 3D television, though at the moment content is extremely limited. However, more movies are being released in theaters in 3D every month, so as time progresses and the technology becomes more commonplace, the more options there will be for owners of 3D televisions. Currently there are less than 150 available 3D Blu-rays for purchase, though there are other options for 3D content.

Some television stations offer 3D content, though currently the available options are limited. Some of the available options include ESPN 3D, launched on June 11, 2010, as well as the recently launched HIGH TV, a 3D channel devoted to family entertainment. At this time, however, many 3D channels are available only in Europe, though as 3D televisions become more popular in homes, the number of 3D channels will no doubt increase. In addition, some streaming services such as Vudu offer 3D content, and given the leaps and strides made in streaming content with major carriers such as Netflix and Amazon, more options are sure to be made available soon.

Technology

Some 3D televisions are capable of converting 2D images into 3D, though the experience isn’t as immersive or as visually appealing as footage shot in 3D. This method, called post-conversion, is a common practice for many 3D films released in theaters, and the results are often the subject of criticism. One such example was “Clash of the Titans,” with several reviews citing the poor 3D as one of the film’s biggest problems.

3D televisions require the use of liquid crystal shutter glasses (also known as active shutter glasses) to allow viewers to see things in 3D. They work by allowing each eye to see a specific image on the screen (called sterescoping), resulting in the appearance of depth. Without them, the 3D image will appear as double images. In the future it might be possible to watch 3D movies without glasses (also known as autostereoscopic televisions), though prototypes have revealed the image to only be effective when sitting dead center in front of the screen and with little movement of the head. Until the technology is perfected, stereoscoping is the way to go.

Glasses

Many 3D televisions come with glasses, and for a single person, this is usually fine; for a family of three or more, however, it can get pricey to buy new ones, especially since most models require brand-specific glasses. At the moment active shutter glasses run approximately $150, so for a family of five you’re looking at $750 just so you can utilize the 3D. These glasses are fairly high tech, and large enough to fit over your glasses.

With some brands of 3D televisions passive glasses can be used, which are significantly cheaper. These glasses are similar to those that are found in theaters and don’t require batteries. Passive glasses can be used with any TV set, are not brand specific, and can help eliminate “crosstalk,” an effect that occurs when an image designed for one high hits both. The result is a “ghostly” flickering that can be distracting.

Media

For those that wish to view 3D Blu-rays at home, an additional 3D Blu-ray player, and in some cases a 3D-compatible AV receiver, is required to view movies in 3D on the Blu-ray format. 3D Blu-ray players, however, are also capable of playing 2D Blu-rays, so you’re getting an all-in-one machine that is, quite frankly, the best possible option on the market. All of the major brands offer 3D Blu-ray players, and in some cases 3D televisions come bundled with a player as well. If you’re a gamer, the Playstation 3 recently launched an update that turns its native Blu-ray player into one capable of playing 3D movies and games, and tests have shown it to be just as good as a standard 3D Blu-ray unit.

New HDMI 1.4 and 1.4a cables are often seen as necessary to properly handle and view 3D content on 3D televisions, though many sources have stated this to be erroneous. The HDMI cable war has been raging for awhile, though no test has revealed any one specific brand or type of HDMI to be better or more effective at handling 3D content. If you do opt for HDMI 1.4 or 1.4a, don’t be compelled to buy the most expensive brand.

Health Concerns

Before purchasing a 3D television, you should make sure you’re not one of the unlucky 12% (source) who are incapable of processing 3D on televisions and movie screens. Others have complained of headaches and other visual problems associated with 3D technology, so you should always test it out for an extended period of time before committing to purchasing a new 3D set.

Is now the right time to buy a 3D television? A lot of it depends on your needs. If you were planning on upgrading your current television set to a bigger one, then a 3D television is one of the best possible options on the market today. Even if you don’t utilize the 3D option, the 2D experience on a high end 3D television is one of the best available today. However, with a bit of comparison shopping, an equivalent experience can be found on some higher end 2D models.

If you don’t mind waiting, prices will surely drop in the coming months, and more options will be made available. This is advisable if you desire 3D content, as more will become available as time passes.

Sources:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/hdtv/3d-tvs/overview/index.htm
http://www.wate.com/story/12236230/3d-tv-buyers-guide
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/355/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-3d-tv/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_television
http://news.cnet.com/3d-tv-faq/#14