3D My TV

I can't really say with any large percentage of accuracy that I watched a lot of 3D material as a child. It was really more of a function of bad 80's horror movies, as they progress into sequels in the double digits - or more likely, the third iteration. Note that this is happening now: Shrek 3D (I know, it's not horror, but the gimmick is sound). The point is, I was too young to be watching that stuff in the theatre, and I don't believe there was a good home alternative to watching 3D. I certainly don't recall there being any 3D VHS or Beta laying around. The only 3D we could get is with the red and blue glasses, typically reserved for picture books and sticker albums.

In any event, about ten years ago my friend and I found ourselves in Toronto, doing our typical proper activities. We were going to take in a movie on the big screen, and by big screen I really mean IMAX big. And to top it all off, the film was in 3D. Certainly a treat. It was Cirque du Soliel. By no means did we have a lot of choice when it comes to material: IMAX was notably geared towards documentaries and visual porn. As a child I remember flying through grand canyons, over epic waterfalls and spanning across vistas, all in five-story screen goodness. Now it was in 3D.

We walked out of the theatre relatively impressed, but we talked mostly about the glasses we wore: it wasn't the simple, flimsy glasses you got with special edition comic books. No, these things were beasts that weighed quite a bit: you were quite aware that they were on your face the entire time, and quite aware that they were tech that you've never experienced before. These glasses were powered, there was no other explanation for their weight. When we were getting them, it was explained to us that the glasses had moving parts in the lenses, that the lenses "shuttered" on and off incredibly quickly. It's what we know now as active 3D, and it didn't clue in until these glasses - significantly decreased in size now - started arriving at home.

Yes, Avatar got the ball rolling, but it's important to note that the tech it brought along is passive: those glasses are flimsy, disposable and effective. When the first 3D televisions began to arrive, people noticed that the glasses were big, and full of batteries. It's quite the difference, and in the couple short years since their release the home glasses have improved a bit, but also that the passive-style has been introduced. Instead of spending in upwards of $125 a pair of glasses, the passive ones come in practically for free: some sets give you ten pairs when you buy it.

When I bought my Panasonic, it game with no glasses: the 3D feature is an afterthought and not very important. Indeed, when you spend enough on a set now, it just has 3D by default. There's no getting away from it, and it's dangerous. I wasn't sold on 3D (and I'm still not) so I didn't mind not having the glasses, but I'm curious. How does it look? Well, I keep waiting for them to go on sale but the cheapest I can see is $100. Then, in Wal-Mart the other day I saw the new Sony Playstation TV. It's a modest 24 inch screen, with 3D and a feature Sony is calling Simulview (or something ridiculous). Basically it allows you to play a local two player game where each player sees a separate screen: it's a nifty trick, but probably not very useful in today's online world. Regardless, they had 3D glasses alongside the display, for $50 each. I take a look, and see that they are "universally compatible" and I immediately wonder what that means.

You see, if you buy a Panasonic 3D set, you have to buy Panasonic glasses. Each brand is unique and requires you to be locked into their glasses. But this Sony box said different. It's universal, as long as you have active 3D and an IR transmitter in your TV. Does mine? Indeed, I know it is active but I wasn't sure on the IR portion. I took a look online and apparently it does have one, located in the lower left. I guess it's used to communicate with the glasses in some fashion. Fifty dollars isn't much of an investment, and with Wal-Mart, you know you're pretty safe on their return policy.

I eagerly tear open the box (carefully though, in case I have to return them) and put the glasses on. They are made of stiff plastic, and I question their quality. I remove the protective film from the lenses, and put them on. Yes, they are not the most comfortable thing in the world, but they seem to be made for a head my size. They sit fine, and don't squeeze. I put Tron Legacy in the PS3, and immediately the television is in 3D mode. All your previews play - all in 3D - then the main feature begins. Fast forward to the part of the movie where they enter the grid (and the movie is in actual 3D) and I'm blown away.

It's true what they say: the image is darker, although the film can accommodate this. The image was also surprisingly sharp, as I was expecting softer edges. The 3D effect is not in your face, and can be quite subtle at times. It's the same thing you see in the theatre, and for that I'm glad. I watched about a half hour of the film and was good with the glasses as they did not become uncomfortable. They have a very small USB port on them for charging, and as long as they can survive a couple of hours they should be alright.

I don't suspect I'll get into it very much. The odd movie, and video game (I see that many are 3D compatible now). I don't expect that 3D at home will be as big as Hollywood wants it to be. Quite simply though, they are pushing it down our throats and as I mentioned, it's getting harder to even buy a television that doesn't have 3D. So for a small investment in glasses, the Sony Playstation 3D pair really hits the mark: effective, inexpensive (and cheap) and satisfies the curious movie watcher.