Sony Fesses Up On 3D TV

tvpredictions.com ^ | 08Oct12 | Phillip Swann

[Las Vegas Dave]

Washington, D.C. (October 8, 2012) -- TV makers continue to push 3D TV despite a lack of evidence that consumers have any interest. But one top Sony executive has finally acknowledged that fact publicly.

Speaking to Eurogamer.net, Fergal Gara, Sony Computer Entertainment's UK chief, said "consumers decide how relevant (3D) is. It's fair to say consumers have decided it's not huge important at this time."

The Associated Press reported this month that the number of 3D viewers in the U.S. is so small that Nielsen is unable to effectively measure them. The ratings service says the number is likely around 115,000.

And IHS Screen Digest says only two percent of TVs in the United States are capable of displaying 3D programming, which represents roughly 7 million out of the 331 million in U.S. homes.

Gara notes that consumers are not interested in wearing 3D glasses while watching television.

"In the home people tune in and tune out a bit, and doing that with glasses on and glancing your tablet or pausing for a bit, compared to the cinema experience which is a solely focused experience, you there is a difference emerging there," he said.

He added that he does not have much hope that glasses-free 3D TV is coming soon.

Gara's comments suggests that one TV maker finally understands the difference between watching 3D at home and in the theaters, which helps explains why 3D TV has been such a flop. However, his comments makes this observer wonder why Sony continues to make 3D sets.

[Las Vegas Dave]

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LasVegasDave.

[jmcenanly]

When we eventually do get glasses-free 3d, the first sets will probably have a small, grainy, flickering image.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Comments please from 3DTV owners are appreciated.

[unbiasedtruth]

In June, I purchased an LG6700 47” Smart TV and have been disappointed, thus far.

Besides having to replace the first set due to audio problems (there was a loud hum in the set) the 3D in replacement TV didn’t work. LG then replaced the entire screen and after two months, I finally had a working TV.

I’ve only used the 3D a few times, and it is nice. However, I’ve never watched a full movie or TV program in 3D. It’s a hassle to keep putting on and taking off the 3D glasses when doing something else.

Watching TV at home is much different than viewing a movie at a theater, where you’re confined to doing just one thing. Therefore, I wouldn’t consider purchasing another 3D TV.

[Jonty30]

I have a Sony Bravia 3-D tv and have been perfectly happy with it. I needed a new tv anyway, so I made sure that it would have that capability. The difference in cost between the 3D and non-3D was relatively small, so I didn’t see the point in not having it.

Not every show needs to be 3D for me to enjoy it, but it does add something when it’s an action sequence and the punch looks like it is thrown to me or having something thrown and it looks lke it’s being thrown at me.

I would say that having to watch an entire show in 3D is overkill, but it does add something at points in the movie.

[FryingPan101]

I don’t have one, Dave, but that doesn’t stop me from being intrigued. The following little clip from Corning has an inviting image toward the end. I can’t see how 3-D wouldn’t be enjoyable. It’s the crappy programming that I would think would turn people away from such an investment.
Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38&vq=medium

[Chipper]

LG7600 55” owner here. I like having the 3D option on there for the movies I have. The glasses are nothing since it is passive and I can check out my iPad with them on if I want with no issues. I can get up and let my digs out without removing them. Best of all with this TV is I have cut the dish, and get 90% of my content through my AppleTV now. Within a year the TV will pay for itself.

[norwaypinesavage]

I only had to watch 3D TV once, and that just for 5 minutes, before deciding I would never own a set, even if it were free.

[Jonty30]

I got ill when I saw Avatar in the theatres. There was a scene in the movie, where the protagonist, had to control a bird and they were flying around all over the place and flying at all kinds of angles.

Oy vey.

[RayChuang88]

Frankly, the big push now is for bigger screen sizes in the 55” and bigger range. Why? Because TV set manufacturers can still make a profit on the bigger screen sizes. Why do you think the first AMOLED TV sets coming on the market are around 55” in size, even with the US$8,000 price tag?

[Jonty30]

Most people, if they can afford it and have the room for it, want the bigger sets. The more tv, the better.

[norwaypinesavage]

Exactly. 3-D only works when it has reailstic scenes. The computer generated graphics which are impossible in real life simply make me sick, too.

[wita]

Can’t remember when the first 3D rush began, maybe the late fifties? It was a bust then in theaters. Not much changed in the intervening years. How many arrows headed straight for you is one person good for?

[TomGuy]

The movie industry tried to resurrect 3-D movies in the early 80’s (IIRC).

The attempt flopped.

When 3-D TVs started hitting the market a couple of years ago, many predicted the effort would be another flop.

[Jonty30]

I’m good for an arrow, or whatever, in every movie. As long as it is well done and not just there for the sake of being there.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I’m good for an arrow, or whatever, in every movie. As long as it is well done and not just there for the sake of being there.

Same argument used to be made for flashing T&A in a movie.

[Jonty30]

If that’s what you want, it’s a free country.

[Hawk1976]

Nah, in that galaxy between the jedi order stifling any independent and critical thought and the senate taxing anything that did work until it was unprofitable, it’s no wonder that the best holovid they could manage is as good as we could do now.

Seriously, why, 1000 years after they defeated the Sith, were the Jedi still running around on urgent missions and knocking on doors to find people? Thanks to them the galaxy hadn’t even managed to develop cell phones and freedom is hard to extinguish.

[Fresh Wind]

The more tv, the better.

Too bad the programming doesn't grow along with the screen size.