Over the past decade or so, television technology has come on leaps and bounds. Not long ago, we had to make do with fuzzy reception, weak colours and poor audio quality. But today, our favourite shows and films are broadcast in high definition, with crystal clear pictures, and glorious surround sound.
Not content with these revolutionary advancements, manufacturers are still seeking out ways to improve the audience’s viewing experience; which includes 3D technology. While this is not necessarily a new concept, television sets capable of producing wonderfully immersive images have been readily available on the market for the last few years, at an affordable price.
Even so, the technology has received levels of criticism; as a passing fad or simply a way for the world’s biggest brands to make more money. But new developments and products entering the market, such as the glasses free Samsung 3D TV, could see the latest TV models become a household feature, that we simply cannot live without.
Problems with 3D TV
Although watching 3D content can be thoroughly absorbing and quite remarkable, having to wear glasses is one of the major drawbacks for consumers. In the comfort of your own home, having to use additional accessories instead of just switching on and sitting back is far from ideal.
Another current issue is the amount of content available. Increasingly, blockbuster movies are available in 3D or older movies are being repurposed. They are filmed with specially designed cameras and look great on the big screen, but this doesn’t always translate to standard-sized televisions. What’s more, television producers haven’t fully adopted 3D as a broadcasting medium, which means that apart from feature films, not much content is available to watch or buy – at the moment.
Future solutions
However, leading manufacturers are fully committed to 3D technology and are starting to produce sets that don’t require glasses. At CES 2014, Samsung unveiled a ‘glassless’ 3D television that could be viewed from 35 different angles and benefitted from the latest 4K resolution. With these televisions becoming increasingly common, more content will also be a distinct possibility. As technology progresses and advances, the cost of producing 3D television shows and movies will inevitably come down.
However, these forms of entertainment could easily be joined by video games, as designers are also looking at 3D technology to improve user experiences and boost sales.
Is 3D TV here to stay?
If manufacturers can create television sets capable of producing 3D images at 4K resolution without the need for glasses, they will surely become a common feature in most homes. But if you can’t wait for this technology to be released, existing 3D TVs may soon be benefiting from scores of new content as well.