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Last week, my DirecTV STB (Set Top Box) had a firmware update to allow 3D content through DirecTV (no additional cost) onto your 3DTV. PS3 has already received its 3D firmware upgrade earlier this year, and the PlayStation Store just got their 3D demo content and first game on last week's update. So with 3D content arriving I decided to take a trip to the local electronics store to check out the different TVs.
3D is not the same as you remember back in the day. It's not just stuff jumping out at you, its depth of field that makes the whole environment that is displayed look realistic. Its quite an experience when you see it in IMAX theater since you are so immersed in the viewing screen. Inside the theater 2 or more projectors are synced to display to different images and they are polarized. Your 3D glasses allow you eyes to differentiate the two polarized images thus creating the depth of field. You can also describe it as one image is displayed while the other is missing and the sequence continues back and forth.
I took a look at three different 3D TVs and demostrations. First up was the Samsung 3D 55" with Monsters va. Aliens. I really enjoyed the quality and felt as satisfied with the Samsung 3D 55" as my current 55" LED from Samsung. It looked just like the IMAX theater. Also note that you must wear "active shutter" glasses which sync to the display your looking at. The Samsung glasses were the most comfortable and "normal" glasses out of the three displays I looked at.
My next TV was the new Panasonic VIEJA 3D. The glasses were horrible and the demonstration video wasn't to impressive. As for quality the image was great and the refresh rate was awesome. The price was also very competitive. Almost $1000 less than the Samsung.
The last TV was actually 3D Ready TV from Sony. I wanted to try out the PS3 3D content, and it was very promising. Because of the 3D conversion done by the TV instead of natively supporting the framrate on MotorStorm was horrible. It was really unique experience and definitely makes HD that much better.
It looks like I'm sticking with Samsung and probably looking to buy in late December.
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