News + Trends
Films you absolutely must see in 3D
by Luca Fontana
Is this the end of 3D home cinema?
6.9.2017
Translation: machine translated
The major TV manufacturers are turning their backs on the technology: demand is too low and the feature isn't attracting enough buyers. An article to bid farewell to 3D, written by someone who will really miss it.
"Loved by few, hated by many" are the words that will be uttered when the last 3D TV disappears. I'll be honest: I LOVE 3D. I know I'm part of a declining minority. When Sony and LG announced after Samsung in early 2017 that they also wanted to turn their backs on 3D, it was the death blow for the third dimension in home cinema. I've spent hours in strange and exotic worlds, and had dangerous adventures! My heart is already crying just at the thought of it all coming to an end soon.
I agree, it was melodramatic. But you get my point. I'm even sure some of you feel exactly the same way! Let's take a little trip down memory lane and explore the early days of modern 3D cinema, and why it never really caught on with audiences. We'll finish with the alternatives left for 3D enthusiasts!
Avatar - the take-off of 3D
Not so long ago, 3D was still considered the TV trend of the future. It all started with Avatar - the biggest financial success in cinema history. Although the film, which was released in cinemas in 2009, wasn't entirely convincing in terms of content, it enthralled thousands of viewers, not least because of one thing: a world full of fantasy and special effects. A world you could touch in 3D. Of course, 3D experiments had been done before in the cinema, but they had never seduced so many people. Only James Cameron's blockbuster managed to get 3D off the ground.
Other 3D films followed. After Avatar, in just 2 years, the number of 3D productions released each year on cinema screens tripled (!). Many of these productions were only later converted to 3D - because of Avatar - just to be able to take advantage of the public craze for 3D. For cinema chains, 3D has been a real boon: people have once again travelled to the cinema to watch films and no longer simply downloaded them onto their computers via an illegal download platform.
Full HD' took hold in the home cinema market and the first 3D-compatible TV sets were released just in time. Because with ever-larger, high-resolution screens, it's simply more fun to watch films in 3D, just like at the cinema. Right?
Why 3D is less popular
I guess it was supposed to end like this. The technology hasn't gone down well with everyone. Since 2011- in that year around 59 3D films were released- the number of 3D productions has fallen sharply. There are several reasons for this. Here are the criticisms we hear most often:
3D is just a gimmick to make more money
It's clear that Hollywood producers must have felt like they'd stumbled onto a real goldmine after the success of Avatar. Because we all know it, the special 3D supplement we have to pay at the checkout. And that doesn't even include the temporary 3D glasses, which you have to buy separately!
The 3D image is just plain bad
As many films were hastily converted to 3D after the success of Avatar, there were big differences in quality between the different films. A prominent example of misused 3D is "Wrath of the Titans". The quality of 3D Blu-rays was also highly variable. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", for example, did not work at all in 3D. Because of all these hastily converted films, the reputation of 3D technology still suffers today.
Uncomfortable and inconvenient
For 3D to work, you need 3D glasses. Although wearing 3D glasses at the cinema is almost part of the event, it's completely different at home. Glasses are perceived more as an annoying accessory, which we prefer to do without.
Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or headaches
Some viewers complain of nausea or headaches when watching 3D films. This can be linked to a number of things. Nausea occurs, for example, when the eyes fixate on rapid movement and the vestibule (balance organ) in the inner ear notices that you're still sitting quietly in an armchair. Headaches are a little more complicated: when an object approaches, the eye turns towards the nose to 'adjust' the focus. But because the canvas isn't really approaching, the eye has to switch constantly between near and far vision. In the long term, the eyes become fatigued and physical symptoms are often the result.
It doesn't matter - I love 3D
Physical symptoms vary from person to person and have nothing to do with good or poor quality 3D. As for 3D glasses, as I wear glasses from time to time, I'm used to having something on my nose. Many of the 3D films being produced today make sensible and effective use of this tool - long gone are the days when not all production studios were able to convert 2D films into 3D. The higher price of a 3D Blu-ray may put some people off, but I can't help but point out that average prices for 3D discs have fallen dramatically in recent years.
.
So give your 3D home cinema another chance! That's all I ask.
It's still a good investment...
Yes, 3D TVs are on their way out. Is buying a TV with this feature still worth it? I think saying no would be wrong. The number of 3D discs sold is still much higher than that of the 4K "Blu-Ray UHD" revolution. At least that's according to FAM in Germany. And super blockbusters such as Jurassic World orStar Trek - Beyond continue to have a 3D home cinema version. Just because 3D TVs are no longer being made doesn't mean the ones we have in our living rooms will suddenly disappear, does it? Of course not. And because the margin on these discs is far more lucrative than that on traditional Blu-rays, distribution companies won't want to give up these very welcome profits in the short term.
Luca's top 10 in 3D!
My personal 3D range
So you want to buy a new TV, but don't want to get rid of your 3D collection at the same time? You're in luck, 3D still has a future. To help you choose the right "gear", I'm going to show you my personal equipment that will enable you to enjoy excellent cinema evenings at home.
OLED 3D from LG: the "Larger than Life" feeling combined with a depth effect. Added to this is advanced OLED technology for true black and high contrast. The HDR support is of course not allowed to miss out for a high colour spectrum. And 4K guarantees images that are always sharp and clear. The camera convinced not only me, but also our customers.
4K Blu-ray player with 3D support: Samsung's device isn't just good (as our customers, external tests also confirm), but is also affordable. It's as compatible with 4K Blu-rays as it is with your entire Blu-rays and 3D Blu-rays collection.
Also at the heart of the sound: imagine you've got the perfect 3D TV, a great film that invites you to dream - but the sound only comes from one direction? I'm sorry to say that, but if you're already doing it, then you're doing it right. I chose a solution from audio specialist SONOS, which has a proven track record and, admittedly, isn't the cheapest available. Practical: you don't need to buy all the components at once to enjoy surround sound. The Playbar alone delivers an excellent room-wide sound experience with massive bass (my neighbour can, to his chagrin, confirm this). And, if that's not enough, just add two satellites (rear speaker) and one bass.
- Here you'll find all the 3D TVs in our range.
- Here you'll find all the 3D Blu-ray players in our range.
And what's the alternative?
The bigger your TV, the better the 3D effect. That's why 3D has been far more successful in cinemas than in private living rooms. Does this mean that the three-dimensional dream will soon be a thing of the past in the home? I can reassure you, there is still hope. And it goes by the name of projector.
I'm setting up my own home cinema and I need...
For a successful installation, apart from the sound, you need three components: the projector, the projection screen and, if necessary, a mounting solution. The latter allows you to fix the projector to the ceiling.
Projection screen: are you one of those 3D lovers for whom big means 100 inches and more? Excellent. At 110 inches (in words: one hundred and ten!), Saker's Elite Screen is made for you. The white casing is discreet and, when not in use, the screen can simply be rolled up. To save space.
Projector: the Epson EH-TW6700 LCD projector is a versatile model in the world of home cinema. Full HD resolution, as well as the ability to play 3D content is part of the standard repertoire. What's more, thanks to its 3000 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 70,000:1, the projector can also be used in bright rooms. With Lens Shift and optical zoom, you have a great deal of flexibility at your disposal, which is certainly useful when positioning the device. At least that's what our convinced customers think
Note: In the near future, I'd like to test a 3D projector for you and write an article about it. When? I don't know exactly. But soon. In any case, I'll let you know the report of my test!
Mounting solution: well, what more can I say? This Sunne model with the white ceiling mount is chic, affordable and does what it's supposed to do. It's also handy and, depending on one's DIY skills, takes no more than 10-15 minutes to assemble.
- Find all the projection screens in our range here.
- Find all the 3D projectors in our range here.
- Find all projector mounting solutions from our assortment here.
What do you think of 3D?
Now it's up to you.
Who joins me in saying goodbye to 3D? Who finds it as unfortunate as I do that TV manufacturers apparently don't believe in the technology? Or are you not with me at all and convinced that this feature is just a gimmick used to make more money? Whatever you think, I want to know. Drop me a line in the comments section!
You might also be interested in these articles:
Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.chI'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»
29 comments
later