Yes, old hat, being phased out and I went through a phase of buying BluRays with 3D/2D content when I got a 3D capable Samsung a few years ago.
While I accept much of it can look unnatural, I ordered Avatar/Titanic 3D bundle the other day, and while I’ve always been amazed by the 2D visuals of Avatar on my AppleTV iTunes copy, I have to agree with the many reviews that suggest Avatar in 3D is a different beast, for the most part a really positive improvement.
Any major manufacturers of TVs or projectors still offering 3D these days - I did feel a big screen 3D experience would have been even better, my projectors are not 3D capable however.
Hi @Alley_Cat - I don’t think anyone has made a 3D TV since 2016.
After the initial hype in the noughties, it turns out that the public was more interested in better resolution than 3D.
3D in the home is pretty much dead. While punters might be willing to don a special pair of specs for an “event movie” at the cinema, it turns out that they couldn’t be arsed to do it at home.
The film studios have been pushing 3D since the early 1950s (and even before) and it’s never really caught on, with the obvious exception of the gimmicky and inexplicably commercially successful Avatar .
I didn’t watch it for several years thinking it too commercial, but I think it’s an incredibly good movie - the quality of the image in the opening scenes (spaceship against black starscape) and in spaceship scenes when they come out of suspended animation/whatever are great.
The later scenes tick so many boxes, perhaps done many times before (think Dances with Wolves or The Last Samurai in space), but with beautiful visuals and the usual instantly detestable US styles military leaders. Pure fantasy and fun, but 3D really adds something.
Absloutely - 3D has been tried several times and no one’s really that bothered.
I’m not sure if 3D in recent years fails due to difficulty suspending disbelief when items come ‘out of the TV’ and you know they transcend the screen borders - one reason I think a huge screen might work better, but the depth in scenes behind the TV plane works far better for me.
Some have been mastered for 3D better than others recently.
Definitely suits the silly monster mash up movies. The new Jurassic park 3D is very obviously flat in textures and depth, although the new Rampage with Dwayne Johnson and his big white monkey buddy has some very nice finely graduating depth and pop.
If you ever get the chance to try out the Avatar ride at Disney Orlando, check it out, it’s amazing. You sit on a mini saddle with handle bars as you fly through the jungle. The visuals and movement are so realistic, it’s frightening, even though your mind tells you it’s not real and you have not moved an inch.
I have both of those but only in 2D from a recent iTunes £2.99 sale. Shame iTunes don’t offer 3D as they’ve embraced 4k and their quality is miles better than years ago.
Now that would be an interesting variant of laser surgery! Possible of course for systems based on polarisation, though it might prevent wearing of polarised sunglasses (in my view the only worthwhile sunglasses).
I posted on this on the old forum - I’m one of the few folks who actually enjoys 3D movies, and own about 40 films on 3D BluRay.
My LG OLED TV (2016 vintage) is one of the last ones to be made that is 3D compatible. My Oppo 205 and Sony X800 BluRay players also decode 3D, however my new 2018 Kitchen TV (Sony 49XF9005) isn’t 3D capable. When the LG breaks down, I won’t be able to see any of my films in 3D.
What amazes me is that even though TV manufacturers have abandoned 3D, the studios are still pumping out new 3D films on BluRay.
I’ve finally, over a couple of nights, finished watching Avatar 3D with the family and it’s frankly incredibly good - I loved Avatar in 2D long before this as it has some jaw dropping CGI (and I hate excessive CGI), but the 3D is certainly the best example I’ve ever seen.
Once I get my AV room decluttered I think I’m going to invest in a damned good projector - I’ve owned a couple of low end models up to 1080p quality, but honestly think a 4k 3D capable projector may be all I need going forwards for the next 10 years or so - a few Sony models appeal as long lasting solutions. AFAIK 3D content is 1080p only but if there are films out there visually as good as Avatar they’d be worth seeking out.
It really baffles me why 3D support has been dropped from TVs as much of the groundwork had been done in recent years and I cannot believe it would be so hard to port it over to newer faster sets even if only in 1080p.
