Courtesy of BFads net site.
Basic Guide for anyone interested in the tech.
Enjoy!
Part 1:
In the fast changing world of home theater, new technologies and innovations pop up year after year. Some of them, like Blu-ray movies, eventually gain a mass appeal and become a mainstay of the hi-def living room. Without a doubt, the current hot item in home theater is 3D television. While this technology continues to grow in popularity, it has not yet become a staple of home theater.
Still, 3D has a lot of momentum behind it, and if you've decided you would like to dip your toe into the pool of 3D TVs available this holiday season, here are some key tips you should be aware of before you dive in.
3D Active Shutter
While all of the 3D TVs on the current market today the viewer to wear 3D glasses, there are several key differences that you should keep in mind when picking your 3D TV.
By far, the most common form of 3D glasses are called active shutter. If you've stood in in an electronics store and tried out a 3D TV with a pair of glasses that resembled heavy sunglasses, then you've experienced active shutter. These glasses are battery powered and have a bit of weight to them, especially when compared to the light, plastic RealD 3D glasses used in theaters. They require battery power because the actual 3D effect is produced within the glasses themselves rather than on the screen. The lenses sync with the television and flicker on and off, switching the image from eye to eye faster than you can detect, creating a 3D image.
If you decide to go with an active shutter 3D TV, there are some things you should note. First, since the glasses are battery powered, they will either have to be recharged regularly or have the batteries replaced from time to time. The replaceable battery is typically a CR2025 “coin” battery, identical to those found in wrist watches, so there will be a small added cost in the future, albeit a minimal one.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember, especially if you decide to pick up a few extra pairs of active shutter glasses with your TV, is that not all glasses are created equal. They all use the same technology to display 3D, but the way they communicate with the television can vary between manufacturers. The sync type comes in the form of radio frequency (RF), DLP Link, infrared (IR), or Bluetooth. These different types are not interchangeable.
Before you buy extra glasses, especially if you are trying to save some money by purchasing glasses made by a third-party manufacturer, it's vital to be sure the sync technology matches your new TV.
Drawbacks of Active Shutter
One of the main drawbacks to active shutter glasses is the price. While their cost has come down over the last year, many manufacturers are still selling their glasses between $50 - $100 a pair (some even more). With that said, you should take the time to see which manufacturers are offering special discounts. The current market for 3D in the home is an all-out war among TV makers, so it is very common to find discounts and freebies when buying a 3D TV. These usually come in the form of a mail-in voucher for a combination of glasses and 3D movies.
If you're having trouble deciding among similarly priced 3D televisions, check for promotional offers. This can save you hundreds of dollars should one brand include multiple glasses and a free movie (be it in-store or by mail) and the other does not. Some of these bundles can be store-exclusive, so be sure to shop around and explore all of your buying options.
Passive 3D
The newest form of 3D TV you'll find in stores features technology called passive 3D. If you've ever been to a theater and worn a pair of RealD 3D glasses, then you've experienced passive 3D. Because this technology is newer in the realm of home theater, these TVs will usually be more expensive than an active 3D set, but that price does not come without benefits.
The benefits for choosing passive 3D and RealD 3D glasses are obvious. These glasses are light as a feather and much less expensive to buy. Most manufacturers will include several pairs in the box, and one can commonly find them for less than $20 a pair. In fact, with many brands, you can use some of the plastic glasses you brought home from the movie theater (you knew that would pay off someday, right?) Like active shutter, not all glasses work with all models, so be sure to check compatibility before you buy extras.
Also keep in mind that since you're saving a bundle on passive 3D glasses, it may justify the purchase of a TV that is a bit more expensive, especially if you have have a large household or if you like to host viewings at your home. Plus, if your children snap them in half, or the dog picks them as his new chew-toy, you won’t be out nearly as much money.
Drawbacks to Passive 3D
Passive 3D, however, is not without its drawbacks. In fact, the main drawback may be a deal breaker for some: reduced picture quality. It is a hotly debated issue in some circles, but most reviewers will tell you that passive 3D TVs have a bit of a “softer” image, with some movies showing signs of jagged edges.
This could be from the fact that the TV cuts the lines of a 1080p image in half -- it beams 540 lines of resolution into each eye, letting your brain re-merge them into 1080p (active sends 1080 to each eye). If you are a stickler for picture quality, or if you’re the type of person that has ever complained about “jaggies” in a video game, passive 3D may not be for you.
Final Thoughts
After reading this article, you’ve got a lot to consider when choosing a 3D TV, but there is one very important thing that you must do before you make your purchase, especially if you’re buying from an online retailer: go out to a store and try it before you buy it!
Put those glasses on and evaluate every aspect of your experience. From picture quality, to the quality of the 3D effect itself, to even the feel of the glasses, you should take everything about the experience into consideration before you finally decide on a 3D TV.
Basic Guide for anyone interested in the tech.
Enjoy!
Part 1:
In the fast changing world of home theater, new technologies and innovations pop up year after year. Some of them, like Blu-ray movies, eventually gain a mass appeal and become a mainstay of the hi-def living room. Without a doubt, the current hot item in home theater is 3D television. While this technology continues to grow in popularity, it has not yet become a staple of home theater.
Still, 3D has a lot of momentum behind it, and if you've decided you would like to dip your toe into the pool of 3D TVs available this holiday season, here are some key tips you should be aware of before you dive in.
3D Active Shutter
While all of the 3D TVs on the current market today the viewer to wear 3D glasses, there are several key differences that you should keep in mind when picking your 3D TV.
By far, the most common form of 3D glasses are called active shutter. If you've stood in in an electronics store and tried out a 3D TV with a pair of glasses that resembled heavy sunglasses, then you've experienced active shutter. These glasses are battery powered and have a bit of weight to them, especially when compared to the light, plastic RealD 3D glasses used in theaters. They require battery power because the actual 3D effect is produced within the glasses themselves rather than on the screen. The lenses sync with the television and flicker on and off, switching the image from eye to eye faster than you can detect, creating a 3D image.
If you decide to go with an active shutter 3D TV, there are some things you should note. First, since the glasses are battery powered, they will either have to be recharged regularly or have the batteries replaced from time to time. The replaceable battery is typically a CR2025 “coin” battery, identical to those found in wrist watches, so there will be a small added cost in the future, albeit a minimal one.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember, especially if you decide to pick up a few extra pairs of active shutter glasses with your TV, is that not all glasses are created equal. They all use the same technology to display 3D, but the way they communicate with the television can vary between manufacturers. The sync type comes in the form of radio frequency (RF), DLP Link, infrared (IR), or Bluetooth. These different types are not interchangeable.
Before you buy extra glasses, especially if you are trying to save some money by purchasing glasses made by a third-party manufacturer, it's vital to be sure the sync technology matches your new TV.
Drawbacks of Active Shutter
One of the main drawbacks to active shutter glasses is the price. While their cost has come down over the last year, many manufacturers are still selling their glasses between $50 - $100 a pair (some even more). With that said, you should take the time to see which manufacturers are offering special discounts. The current market for 3D in the home is an all-out war among TV makers, so it is very common to find discounts and freebies when buying a 3D TV. These usually come in the form of a mail-in voucher for a combination of glasses and 3D movies.
If you're having trouble deciding among similarly priced 3D televisions, check for promotional offers. This can save you hundreds of dollars should one brand include multiple glasses and a free movie (be it in-store or by mail) and the other does not. Some of these bundles can be store-exclusive, so be sure to shop around and explore all of your buying options.
Passive 3D
The newest form of 3D TV you'll find in stores features technology called passive 3D. If you've ever been to a theater and worn a pair of RealD 3D glasses, then you've experienced passive 3D. Because this technology is newer in the realm of home theater, these TVs will usually be more expensive than an active 3D set, but that price does not come without benefits.
The benefits for choosing passive 3D and RealD 3D glasses are obvious. These glasses are light as a feather and much less expensive to buy. Most manufacturers will include several pairs in the box, and one can commonly find them for less than $20 a pair. In fact, with many brands, you can use some of the plastic glasses you brought home from the movie theater (you knew that would pay off someday, right?) Like active shutter, not all glasses work with all models, so be sure to check compatibility before you buy extras.
Also keep in mind that since you're saving a bundle on passive 3D glasses, it may justify the purchase of a TV that is a bit more expensive, especially if you have have a large household or if you like to host viewings at your home. Plus, if your children snap them in half, or the dog picks them as his new chew-toy, you won’t be out nearly as much money.
Drawbacks to Passive 3D
Passive 3D, however, is not without its drawbacks. In fact, the main drawback may be a deal breaker for some: reduced picture quality. It is a hotly debated issue in some circles, but most reviewers will tell you that passive 3D TVs have a bit of a “softer” image, with some movies showing signs of jagged edges.
This could be from the fact that the TV cuts the lines of a 1080p image in half -- it beams 540 lines of resolution into each eye, letting your brain re-merge them into 1080p (active sends 1080 to each eye). If you are a stickler for picture quality, or if you’re the type of person that has ever complained about “jaggies” in a video game, passive 3D may not be for you.
Final Thoughts
After reading this article, you’ve got a lot to consider when choosing a 3D TV, but there is one very important thing that you must do before you make your purchase, especially if you’re buying from an online retailer: go out to a store and try it before you buy it!
Put those glasses on and evaluate every aspect of your experience. From picture quality, to the quality of the 3D effect itself, to even the feel of the glasses, you should take everything about the experience into consideration before you finally decide on a 3D TV.
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