Thread: Misconceptions About 3D TV

It is common that some misconceptions may always spread among the people about any new product that hits the market, getting into the headlines and filling up a long space alongside other advertisements in the media (in TVs, internet, etc).

One of the products that has recently caught many eyes is the 3D TV. As it caught many eyes, many misconceptions about the 3D TVs and the 3D glasses started spreading around. So, I decided to list out and correct some of those misconceptions.

1. 3D TVs are so much expensive.
It is not actually the 3D TVs that are expensive. It is just so that the manufacturers of 3D TVs are offering the feature in high-end models which have other big features, which make it expensive. It's not the 3D support that is really expensive.

2. 3D glasses must always be worn to watch the TV.
This is one of the 'most famous misconception'. Actually, one needs to wear 3D glasses only while watching 3D content. The TV will behave as a normal 2D TV in all other cases.

3. 3D 'glasses' and 'goggles' are both the same.
This is a mistake even the media-persons make. Goggles are those which fit tightly onto your face, acting as protective glasses, while 3D glasses are that what one might be referring to (please refer to the attachments). These 3D glasses are usually big enough to accommodate your eyeglasses.

4. Dolby Digital 3D glasses? Good joke!!!

Some might have come across 3D glasses bearing a "Dolby Digital" sign and wondered how an audio-related technology can be related to 3D glasses. Please check this link out, and you will understand why the "Dolby Digital" came there: Dolby - Dolby 3D Digital Cinema
This mistake might have happened to many; it's expected, because Dolby Laboratories itself, in it's "Who We Are" page says, "Now, the name Dolby is synonymous with quality audio throughout the world".

Quote from Wikipedia:

Dolby 3D (formerly known as Dolby 3D Digital Cinema) is a marketing name for a system from Dolby Laboratories, Inc. to show three-dimensional films in a digital cinema.

5. The same 3D glasses can be used with all the 3D TVs.
There are different types of 3D glasses and you will have to refer to your TV manual to know which kind of 3D glasses you would need. But research is being carried out in order to find a solution for this problem.

I have included only some of the big misconceptions, which I collected from many sources including one or two of the threads posted here. There are many more misconceptions spreading around. So, the best way to know the truth is to seek help from a trusted source or to do the research yourself. It has taken quite some time more than what it may seem to you, to gather all these things together. Even I didn't expect that the process of writing up this thread would take such long. While writing this thread, I have also learnt many new things and cleared some of misconceptions that I also had.

Thanks to: Wikipedia, 6 Myths about 3D TVs - 3D TV Buying Guide clears up 3D TV Misconceptions (for #1 and #5 in this thread), http://www.indiabroadband.net/home-a...tml#post282269 (3D TV - Thank you, but no Thank you.) (gave me the idea for starting this thread).

Note: You can google yourselves, and check the link provided above, for more on 3D TVs.

Originally Posted by Arnaud

1. 3D TVs are so much expensive.
It is not actually the 3D TVs that are expensive. It is just so that the manufacturers of 3D TVs are offering the feature in high-end models which have other big features, which make it expensive. It's not the 3D support that is really expensive.

Agreed. But ultimately this means the same thing to the consumer. They still have to pay the higher price. And TV may not be costly but the other paraphernalia is. And as I said earlier, it is pointless to buy 3D TV right now. In India we hardly have HD - 3D content is a long way off.

Originally Posted by Arnaud

2. 3D glasses must always be worn to watch the TV.
This is one of the 'most famous misconception. Actually, one needs to wear 3D glasses only while watching 3D content. The TV will behave as a normal 2D TV in all other cases.

I do not think that any person has this misconception. People will always demo a TV in a showroom before buying. And they will immediately realize that glasses are not required to watch normal (2D) content. Some people may have the misconception could be that 2D content is not viewable on 3D TV (before demo). Again, I doubt that. Others can elaborate.

Originally Posted by Arnaud

3. 3D 'glasses' and 'goggles' are both the same.
This is a mistake even the media-persons make. Goggles are those which fit tightly onto your face, acting as protective glasses, while 3D glasses are that what one might be referring to (please refer to the attachments). These 3D glasses are usually big enough to accommodate your eyeglasses.

Since the 3D glasses (and I am not talking about the red/green coloured ones) have tinted glass, many people call them 3D goggles. But they mean the same thing when they talk about it. It will be technically correct to call these as 3D glasses. This is just like Xerox is synonymous with a photocopy - Xerox is a company while photocopy (technically correct term) is what you get when you copy a document in a copier.

Originally Posted by Arnaud

5. The same 3D glasses can be used with all the 3D TVs.
There are different types of 3D glasses and you will have to refer to your TV manual to know which kind of 3D glasses you would need. But research is being carried out in order to find a solution for this problem.

I do not think people will be bothered about this. Remote of one TV does not work with other. Yet people have got used to them. Although more and more people are buying universal remotes, that is more to control all other hi-fi/vision devices rather than being bothered about two remotes for two TVs.

Overall a good article.

Very much Useful !!

Thanks !!

Almost all the TVs in the market as of now either use "active goggles" or "passive goggles" technology. Most of the consumer suppliers like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Philips ... have come out with both the versions.

The movie 3D used in the cinama hall normally uses passive technology. One of the exceptions is that in Bengaluru, the Urvashi theatre used active goggles technology to show 'Avatar'. The theatre has given active goggles to all viewers and it used dual digital projector and transmitters in the entire hall to synchronize what is shown on the screen with the goggles.

well i have a tendency (or a bad habit) to wait and watch

3d tvs are just a passing fad like the projection tvs

Originally Posted by vinit

3d tvs are just a passing fad like the projection tvs

Projection TV was not a passing fad. It did not take off in India because we simply skipped that generation. Abroad, a huge community of people are owners of projection TV.

p/s. In a similar way, India more or less skipped the "pager" phase and jumped to cellular phones.

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