The future of 3-D entertainment gets mixed responses

By: Katie Jenkins-Moses

Posted: 1/21/10

We all remember running into the theater as children, hopping into the seat and positioning our red and blue paper glass over our eyes, excitement filling the dark theater as the movie begins, a movie that seems so incredibly advanced for our childhood minds-a three-dimensional movie. Lately the world has begun witnessing a new craze for this entertainment. However 3-D media is not a new concept.

3-D movies have existed longer than the recent craze. The first movie was shown in the 1920's; however, both the glasses and graphics have improved greatly since then. With the opening of the recent movie Avatar in 2009, the craze has only just intensified. Avatar was an incredible hit with the public, especially in 3-D even when the cost for a single ticket is fifteen dollars.

Avatar was so popular that it is second box office record holder worldwide, following Titanic. The amazing graphics, which are only intensified by 3-D technology, really helped with the craze of such technology. Avatar was praised for stretching the "bounds of the cinematic imagination" where "an entire alien world, a new and complex ecosystem" is "rendered in three dimensions with dazzling fluidity and detail" (CNN).

Due to the influx of movies with three-dimensional technology there have been many advances in 3-D television. Companies such as Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, and Sony have all created 3-D televisions that are presently on the market. Despite the appeal of 3-D television, there is debate whether the purchase of a new TV worth it. Stuart O'Connor from The Guardian believes that audiences will not embrace such televisions until 3-D glasses are not needed. This is because in to experience 3-D in the comfort of your home, people must buy the costly television, wear the special glasses, and have the correct programs.

However Yoshi Yamada, Panasonic's North American chairman and chief executive officer, said that "adoption of three-dimensional TV, which requires viewers to wear special glasses, will be faster than the acceptance of high-definition TV because more films, programs and games will be available" (The Japan Times). Although Yamada believes that more people will buy them, the prices are still costly.

Phillips has sold their 3-D TVs from $3,000 to $12,000. However these televisions were have been pulled due to the recession. The question becomes would the public really spend large amounts of money for an upgrade on their televisions? Jesse Cox, first year, when commenting on the subject said, "I'd have to see one first. I'm not sure I'd just go out and buy the first generation. I might wait until the technology got a little better."

It is not only the television corporations that are taking advantage of the publics new appreciation for three-dimensional media. TV networks have begun announcing that they are converting their station to 3-D. Most recently is Entertainment Sports Programming Network or ESPN where "sports broadcasting will enter a new dimension in 2010, the third dimension" (ESPN).

Many people are still wary about TV channels going 3-D. Robin Reyes, a first year, says, "I am not sure that I would watch it. I feel that 3-D would take something away from the athletics. I want it to be more about the sport and less about the technology."

There are many mixed reviews about the new advancements in 3-D technology. However one thing is clear in the last few years, there has been a move to put three-dimensional media in every household and the world is waiting to see the outcome of such an investment.