The Benefits of Watching AVATAR on 3D HDTV: Is It Time To Upgrade?

[Sadao]

The Benefits of Watching AVATAR on 3D HDTV: Is It Time To Upgrade?

By AVATAR on May 04, 2010 7:48 AM 0 Comments
Want to watch AVATAR in 3D on an HDTV? There are plenty of benefits to upgrading to a new 3D HDTV. Technology blogs and news sources have been been abuzz with stories about new 3D HDTVs. From initial reports, it looks as though 3D is here to stay, and more and more 3D HDTVs will become available in the coming weeks and months. Should you take the plunge so you can watch Avatar on 3D HDTV? Read this to find out more about the pros and cons of upgrading.
Guest post by Ashley Hansen
There is no doubt that for at-home viewings of the movie Avatar, 3D HDTV is the optimum choice. You’ll get the best graphics and the clearest picture available. Though 3D glasses can attempt to create the same experience on a traditional HDTV, you just won’t get the same effect as you would be watching Avatar on 3D HDTV. When you’re watching something on a 3D HDTV, you’re actually getting two 1080p pictures delivered, one to each eye. The TV’s refresh rate is at least 120 times per second with alternating images for each eye to give you the 3D effect. Plus, the 3D glasses aren’t like to disposable ones you get at the theater; these glasses have special LCD lenses which give viewers an amazing viewing experience right in their own home.
TV Availability
You won't have any trouble finding a 3D HDTV. However, because these products are so new and are just beginning to enter the traditional TV markets, you can expect to pay a slight premium for them. If you want to be one of the first people to enjoy your very own 3D HDTV, the TVs are definitely available. Most major brands, including Panasonic, Sony, LG and Samsun, have either announced or released their first 3D HDTVs, with costs ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the size of the screen.
Content Availability
Even if AVATAR is your favorite movie of all time, there will only be so many times you can watch it before wanting to mix things up a little. The amount of content available on 3D is limited at this point. It may take a year or two for that content to increase significantly to include many more movies and even TV shows. If you do invest now, you can count on the amount of 3D content growing exponentially in the coming years. TV networks like Discovery and ESPN have already announced 3D channels that will be released this year; the ESPN 3D channel will show a significant number of World Cup matches this summer, for example.
Cost
The TVs do cost a pretty penny, but in comparison to buying a new HDTV, the 3D HDTVs aren’t that much of a stretch. A 40-inch screen may run about $2,000, while a 55-inch 3D HDTV will cost you closer to $5,000. However, there are other costs to consider. For example, you’ll want to add to your movie collection and buy 3D Blu-Ray discs. These movies cost around $30 each, which is almost twice as much as a new release in the traditional DVD format. You’ll also need a 3D Blu-Ray player, which are typically priced between $300 and $500. The 3D glasses can be another hidden cost. Some 3D HDTVs come with a pair or two of glasses, while others come with none. To buy extra glasses to accommodate your family or guests, you’ll have to pay around $150 for each additional pair of glasses. The costs will add up, so be prepared for an investment beyond the TV itself.
Is it Right for You?
In the end, the biggest factor for most individuals in this case will be the cost. But if you were looking to get a new TV anyway, now is the perfect time to invest in this new technology.
Have you watched Avatar on an HDTV and noticed a difference?

[electrosphere11]

Definitely something I would dream of buying :P

[Rushlight]

My fella impulse bought a samsung 3d tv from costco 2 wks ago. The picture clarity makes our old hd tv look way weak! True the avtar dvd isnt out in 3d yet (but im so gonna buy it), he managed to find the trailer in 3d, omg it is so sweet! Also the tv has a function that can make 2d stuff into 3d (true its not as good as stuff that was shot in 3d) but it gives stuff real depth. He actually likes the avatar game i bought second hand recently as it has a 3d mode on it (flying an igran is great). We only have the 1 pair of glasses atm (hes waiting for the rechargable ones to hit the shops before we get some more). My opinion this technology rocks!

[Pandora's Boxed?]

Yup definately something I'll look to buy in the future, not in the foreseeable future though I'd need a second mortgage to afford one! The lack of 3-D titles is off putting too. I bought a 40" 1080p HDTV a year ago and that wasn't exactly cheap. It isn't all a bed of roses either, while HD content looks fantastic, non-HD content does not look great at all. Well, DVD's are upscaled very well by my PS3 but digital SD TV sources look crap, frankly.

Besides I've yet to find a pair of 3-D glasses that fit over my existing ones. :P