The Coming 3D TV Revolution
According to Infogroup, the latest statistics show that about 40% of us still don't have an HDTV. I'm a little surprised that over 60% of households do considering a little over a year ago that figure was half of the current estimate. But leave it to the entertainment industry to make sure there is always something bigger and better around the corner that we must save up for. At this years CES expo, television vendors like Panasonic, Samsung and Sony debuted the newest trend for the living room - 3DTV. 3D television makers hope to bring the experience of 'Avatar' into peoples homes and revitalize the entire market.
Of course the big stumbling block right now is that just like the theater, to enjoy 3D you need to wear glasses. How many people will want to wear 3D glasses to enjoy movies and special TV broadcasts in their homes? It's unclear at this point. However there are a couple of companies working on auto-stereoscopic 3D displays which don't require glasses. But right now these sets are more prototype than reality and the projected cost is out of the range of most consumers.
In one sense the broadcast front is moving faster than the hardware manufacturers. Cable TV supplier Comcast has a surprise for the couple of golf devotees who are lucky enough to have purchased a 3DTV for their home. Comcast has introduced plans to broadcast a freely available 3D simulcast two hours a day throughout five days of The Masters golf competition coverage this April. Comcast is the second large home entertainment name to show a strong interest in 3DTV technology. CBS television studios has already publicised their intention to show portions of NCAA March Madness coverage in 3D. Comcast's announcement has come in a significantly lucky time.
Beleaguered golfer Tiger Wood's announced his return to competitive golf will come at this years Masters. The big question now is whether 3DTV will ever gain the traction HDTV has over the past decade or will it be a niche product that only a few will enjoy. It looks like TV manufacturers and broadcasters and betting on the success of 3DTV.
