Good news for all you middle-class 3D TV enthusiasts out there, cheap 3D glasses are finally coming to a home near you. RealD glasses aren’t going to be limited to the theatres any more. I am sure many of you have had the chance to sample the pleasures of 3D television at your local tech store and enjoyed it, but your hopes were shattered when you discovered that on top of that lovely 3DTV you would also have a tacked on price for battery-powered glasses, that cost a couple hundred dollars.
Sure Glasses-free would be the cheapest way to enjoy a 3D viewing experience but sadly technology is just not at that level yet, so cheap glasses will just have to suffice for now.This all thanks to RealDs announcement at the 3D entertainment summit that it would license its ZScreen technology (pictured above) to 3DTV manufacturers.
The big question of course is how much will these 3DTVs cost, and how will the 3D quality experience compare to what active shutter glasses can offer. Even if price isn’t your main concern then at least you enjoy the much lighter glasses for extended viewing your favourite TV show or movie, also–no need to replace batteries, ever.
Chris Kelly
Interesting.. this will open the market for nicer glasses like those offered by Polaroid Eyewear. They announced a collaboration with RealD a couple of months back. http://www.polaroideyewear.com/3d
Once you have both a polarized 3D TV and visit the cinema a few times a year it starts to make sense to lay out $50 or so on a pair that fit you well and don’t make you look so bad. Then there is the question of reflection in the back of the lens – no big issue in the cinema (controlled lighting) but try watching 3D TV in a normally-lit or daylight-filled room. Back reflections are basically eliminated by curving the lens and frame – unlike the cheapie flat lens solution.
Apocacrux
$50 is still cheaper than $200 for a quality pair of Active-shutter glasses.