Reports out of CES from all of my favourite tech sites are noting an influx of 3D-capable TVs and PCs. It seems that most manufacturers consider 3D to be “the next big thing”. Sure – 3D has always been a popular attraction at theme parks for both adults and children alike, but it’s always seemed to me to be a bit of a gimmick. However, with all the major vendors jumping on board, perhaps it will be the new form of home entertainment. But will it be? Will it really? Huh? Yes… this post is full of questions.

Personally, I don’t think so. I don’t think it will take off – it just doesn’t make sense. Chewbacca did not come from Endor.

3D does not make sense as a passive form of entertainment

As a good friend pointed out, 3D is not passive; it requires  the active involvement of the viewer, at least in it’s current form. In that way, it works as a gimmick – it’s fun to dodge bees or what-not for a few dollars, but do we really need this kind of entertainment at home?

Perhaps not – but maybe this isn’t what is being attempted. Avatar has shown that 3D can be done well without directly acknowledging the viewer, so perhaps it’s more of an immersion thing? But is it really necessary?

If not filmed in 3D, it will not really be 3D

It’s all well and good to have 3D (arguably), but what’s the point if there’s nothing to watch? In order for something to be viewed in 3D, it must first be filmed/created in 3D – which isn’t cheap. It makes little sense to spend the big dollars in order to film in 3D if there is nobody to watch it in 3D. As a result, there probably won’t be much to watch! Big flicks like Avatar and so on might be worth watching in 3D, but they will still be worth watching in 2D – so is it worth spending money on a 3D TV (gaming is a different story)?

That’s where the problem lies. There are some out there that might think it’s worth it to have a 3D TV, if only to watch 3D movies on occasion – and that is a valid argument in itself, if you have the money. However, considering we’ve all recently been forced to buy new HD TVs (not that I minded); who is ready to spend big on another one just so they can watch 3D movies? It took many years for people to join the HD revolution, some still haven’t done so – and this is something that they HAVE TO DO if they watch TV at all, so who’s to say people are going to jump on this bandwagon?

Then again, the tech is advancing to a point where pseudo-3D can be created out of 2D images, so perhaps this is also a moot point. But pseudo-3D does not 3D make. Perhaps when all TV is 3D, and all movies are 3D, there will be a valid reason to make the switch, but I think it will be a long while before this happens…

Stupid, stupid glasses

I don’t really need to say much more here, do I? For years, we’ve all laughed at the blue and red 3D glasses that were required to create the 3D effect. Modern 3D uses different technology, but still requires the viewer to wear glasses. As nice as they might be (blecch), I’m not keen on the idea of donning lame-ass glasses every time I want to watch a flick. And I just don’t like the idea of having TV accessories like that. In fact, I’m not sure of anyone that would like that idea. The stupid glasses are a stupid joke.

If you break them, you have to buy new ones – if you have a large family, you have to buy a few sets… And judging by the looks of the new tech, they don’t look cheap… I just don’t get it!

And what do you do when your mates pop in to watch Avatar? Sit and watch them in your own glasses and not worry about your friends? Or do you fork out the dosh and buy a bunch of spares? Or should people bring their own? Or do you do a spot of timesharing? It won’t work, I tells ya!

Unless, of course, the tech turns out to be AWESOME. Still… for me, until 3D TV is straight from the box – sans stupid glasses (which I guess would require holographic technology) -then I don’t think I’m interested.

You know – maybe I’ll be wrong, and I’ll watch a 3D movie or play a 3D game and I’ll be blown away by the experience (I can see the benefit in 3D games… sounds pretty fun) – who knows? My point is, though – even if it’s cool, is it worth it?

So where do we go from here? Will 3D end up in the same graveyard as laserdisc and minidisc – a failed and broken dream of manufacturers, or will it actually turn out to be surprisingly useful? At this point, who knows? But I’d like to think it will flop like a big, dead, floppy fish in the sun. Smells fishy to me.

I wouldn’t go as far as calling myself a convert – I’m still uncertain that 3D will revolutionise television – but I now understand that having a 3D-capable TV will not be such a bad thing. Even if only to watch the occasional 3D movie, it will probably be worth it… Avatar was cool…