Should I buy 3D now?

Many wonder what is happening with most advanced gadgets hitting the domestic segment bringing the latest addition to the technology called "3D" to homes. This year, I should say from mid of last year big names like Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, JVC, Hitachi etc have started manufacturing their 3D line of HDTVs and marketed extensively this 2010.

Last year few movies were released in 3D like My Bloody Valentine, Coraline, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Monsters Vs Aliens, Up, G-Force, Final Destination 4, Cloudy with a chance of Meat Balls, Avatar. And this 2010, to our suprise more movies added to the list like Alice in Wonderland, How to train your Dragon, Clash of the Titans, Shrek forever after, Toy Story 3, Despicable Me, Cats & Dogs: the Revenge of Kitty Galore, Step Up 3D, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Piranha 3D, Legend of the Guardians, Megamind, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Yogi Bear. Except for Avatar in 2009 list of movies, all other movies have been released in BluRay 3D format.

So, are we going the 3D way?

Courtesy: Panasonic

    We see 3D HDTVs hitting the showrooms and the price is falling day by day due to competition. We also see more 3D movies (english) getting released in the theatres.
        In theatres, due to recent releases of 3D movies the theatre owners had gone bankrupt in welcoming the new 3D technology. Theatres replaced their projectors, screens, 3D glasses etc and even sound system in some cases. Obviously, cost of the tickets have also increased by paying an addition amount for the 3D glasses to experience the effect in the 3D movie. Likewise brands like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG etc have released their latest 3D models LED/Plasma HDTV here in India.
         I had the opportunity to watch a few movies like Avatar, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Piranha 3D in Theatres and experienced how different dimensions could be brought before the audience with 3D technology adding more immersion to the movie. I remember in my school days that I watched the first 3D Indian film "My Dear Kuttichathan (tamil)" in a local and felt very excited watching it. Remember the scene, where the boy points to you the ice cream/candy where you almost feel touching you. In another scene, a toy helicopter flying towards you and the scary part where the witch points the flame torch towards you. Yes, it has made an impact - we need to accept that fact.


Lets see how 3D performs at home and at what cost...

Courtesy: Sony

        I happen to see the demo of both Sony and Samsung LED 3D HDTVs and would like to share with you. First I went to Sony showroom and the salesman was very polite in answering my queries and voluntarily without my asking played the demo 3D bluray disc. He then handed me the 3D glasses which almost looked as stylish as Rayban sunglasses and its seen in the price which you will know as you read on. In the 3D bluray demo disc, the salesman first played "IMAX Under the Sea" and I should say it is really an awesome experience. The 3D visuals showed depth and as the camera follows the fishes under the sea, you feel like that you are under the sea. And when suddenly all fishes splits out from its group, its feel like hitting to your face. Hats off! man for bringing this technology to homes. Then, the salesman played a trailer from the movie "Monsters Vs Aliens" as this is an animation movie, whereas the first movie trailer I watched was a documentary. Its the first time Iam seeing an 3D animation and I don't have words to descibe the depth created in the movie for a stunning visual effect. In Sony LED HDTV, there is an offer going on which says "Buy 40inch 3D LED TV and get 3D BluRay + a pair of 3D Glasses + Sony Home Theatre Sound Bar + 9 3D BluRay movies absolutely free for Rs.1,24,000/-" which definitely makes one tempted to grab it.
      I then left the showroom with those amazing 3D effects running before me and went to Samsung showroom. Here again the salesman was very polite and immediately played a demo 3D BluRay disc on a 46inch LED HDTV. The disc contained trailers from "Monsters Vs Aliens", music concert - which I don't remember the artist. And Samsung didn't showed a bit lower or higher and was in equal performance to Sony for displaying the 3D visuals. On asking about any offers, the salesman told that "Buy 46inch LED TV and get 3D BluRay + 3 3D Glasses for Rs.1,50,000/-" I thought the offer was not so attractive as Sony and bid goodbye to the salesman and walked out.
     From what I auditioned from both brands, 3D doesn't come to home cheap. There are 4 basic things involved to produce a 3D effect - 1) 3D TV, 2)  3D BluRay player and 3) 3D Glasses and 4) 3D Movie. Currently, less movies are available in 3D format in BluRays and these 3D movie bluray cost around Rs.1000 to Rs.2000 per movie. BluRay players prices starts from Rs.19,990/- (say for the case of Sony), likewise 3D TVs costs beyond 1 Lakh plus. Moreover, you need 3D glasses to watch those 3D effects which costs Rs.6,500/- per glass. So the question is should we go the 3D way only to watch those few 3D movies or should we wait patiently for the prices to drop and more and more 3D movie releasing in Bluray and obiviously making Bluray cheaper just like DVDs? The choice is yours...