Electronics stores excited about 3D TV
There has been talk of putting three-dimensional entertainment in American living rooms for years, but for a long time, 3D enthusiasts had a chicken or the egg dilemma.
Television manufacturers didn't want to make the sets because networks weren't offering 3D content, and networks weren't broadcasting in 3D because there were no television sets.
At last, the impasse is broken. As many as 10 3D feature films are expected to be available for purchase this year, including blockbusters such as "Avatar" and "Alice in Wonderland."
Mitsubishi, Panasonic and Samsung already have 3D-enabled television sets on the market, and LG, Sharpe, Sony and Toshiba will roll theirs out soon.
Electronics stores are excited about the newest trend in home entertainment because there isn't currently any way to make a TV that isn't 3D-enabled work with 3D glasses. Even the fancy, nearly new high definition television sets consumers bought when analog signals vanished will have to be replaced if they want Avatar's space monsters to claw at them through the screen.
3D-enabled sets start at about $1,200, and that doesn't include the glasses.
Get those flimsy red and blue cardboard deals out of your head. Today's 3D glasses are battery-operated high tech gadgets that cost $100 or more. You'll also have to buy a transmitter to allow the specs to synchronize with your TV. Typically, transmitters and glasses are sold together as a kit.
If you want a kit that also will work with computer video games, you could be looking at paying $500 or so.
And don't forget the HDMI audio visual cables, which also must be upgraded.
Urner's has been selling 3D-enabled television sets for two years. It offers three models, but doesn't have kits yet.
Neither the hefty price tag, nor the almost complete lack of 3D television shows, has stopped people from buying them, said Joe Moore, a salesman in the Bakersfield retailer's electronics department.
"There's enough excitement that people want to be ready to go when prices for the kits come down," he said.
Home theater store PS Audio Visual Solutions in Bakersfield recently sold its lone 3D television -- a display model -- but has plans to stock more.
"I was at an electronics show in Vegas where they were demonstrating this, and the actual picture quality along with the 3D is just phenomenal," said owner Paul Silvas. "I can really see how it's going to take off."
Hard core gamers will lead the charge, said John Walker, president of Revolution Home Theater in Bakersfield.
They're enthusiastic early adopters of new technologies, he said. "Once 3D hits video games, we'll have them. It's a natural progression. Even if 3D movies go away, I would definitely see the 3D games staying."
Bruce Spencer of B.I.S. Technologies in Bakersfield is a little more skeptical. He works with custom home builders on home theater projects, and hasn't seen much demand so far.
"It's a little early," he said. "The content just isn't there yet. There are a lot of people asking questions about it, but most people haven't seen any content outside of a movie theater."
3D programming doesn't look normal without the glasses, so media companies will have to have separate channels for 3D shows.
That's already coming. The International Federation of Football Associations last year inked a deal with Sony to deliver 3D images from up to 25 soccer matches from the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
ESPN will broadcast the World Cup on ESPN 3D, the first dedicated 3D television network.
That kind of programming makes sense, said Megan Pollock, spokeswoman for the Consumer Electronics Association.
"I don't think we're ever going to see every show in 3D," she said. "You don't need to watch routine shows like the evening news in 3D.
"But an important game like the World Cup or Super Bowl, or a show like 'Lost,' that would be awesome."
For that reason, Pollock said, it's unlikely consumers will have 3D on every television in the home.
"People will buy the nice TV for the family room or living room and move the older sets to other rooms," she said. "It's going to be a lot like HD (high definition) television. A slow trickle."
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