I'm being asked more and more if 3D television is here to stay.
Well, let's take a look at how the introduction is going so far.
Historically there are usually two major factors involved in the introduction of new technology for the consumer electronics industry. One is the development and offering of hardware, and the other is the development and offering of content.
I remember, not so long ago, when Direc TV offered their first few high definition channels. Everybody loved the picture quality but with only a few channels available not many people, myself included, rushed out to buy one of the few relatively expensive HD televisions available. Then, a little farther down the road they increased the offering to ten full time HD channels and that was enough for me, and many others, to decide that I had to have it. Clearly content plays a major role in consumer decision making so let's take a look at 3D content now and on the horizon.
The television industry dove in quickly with offerings such as ESPN 3D, 3D NET by Sony, and N3D by Direc TV. Certainly sporting events have had a huge impact on the adoption of high definition and I expect it to be the same with 3D television.
Hollywood, always looking for ways to increase box office sales, was still a bit slower with their offerings until the Blu-ray Disc Association adopted uniform 3D specifications. Then titles started appearing much faster and no doubt there will be many more next year. By announcing their first 3D channel HBO certainly thinks so.
And last, but certainly not least, is Sony's 3D PS3 offering that will no doubt drive the adoption of 3D in the gaming industry.
In light of all this I think it's safe to say that 3D content is here with much more on the way.
As far as hardware goes almost every major television manufacturer either already offers 3D models or will be shipping new models within the next six months. This is not just plasma and lcd models but also includes dlp and front projector.
The same can be said for manufacturers of Blu-ray players especially with the technical advantage of not having to worry about available band width.
Oh, and let's not forget manufacturers of home theater receivers like Denon, Onkyo, and Yamaha, etc. that are offering models capable of processing 3D video content.
The great news is that all of these products still do a great job with more conventional content so there is no sacrifice in quality and unlike the first high definition offerings, the price differential is relatively minimal.
Many industry experts predict that by 2014 between seventy and eighty (depending on who you talk to) percent of all televisions purchased will be 3D models.
So, is 3D for the home here to stay? In my opinion the answer is yes.
