3D technology shows promise but still difficult to recommend
Following the success of the mediocrity that was “Avatar,” 3D tech seems to have become the norm.
With the push of 3D films came a push for the home-based 3D experience: 3D-capable TVs, computer monitors and, of course, the 3D-shutter glasses.
But wait, didn’t we just buy high definition TVs?
There’s no doubt that the technology interests a lot of consumers, and while many find it intriguing, I can’t see a lot of people investing in 3D just yet.
While talking with Christopher Zamplas, a fellow student, he brought up a good point: If you buy a 3D television and want to host a party so your friends can come over and check it out, you better be willing to pony up hundreds of dollars for multiple pairs of shutter glasses.
No thanks.
However, I do find myself excited about the development of the glassless 3D experience, especially for gaming.
Nintendo’s 3DS portable device is a step in the right direction, though it’s not without its limitations; users must hold the device in a certain position to achieve its 3D effect.
But imagine the immersion a refined, fully glassless 3D experience might eventually offer for gaming.
Imagine playing a first-person shooter and detonating some C4 or witnessing a grenade explosion, and a fully 3D dust cloud fills your field of vision. Imagine the survival horror experience, walking down dark hallways into the eerie unknown as flesh-eating monstrosities lie in wait just around the corner.
When developers figure out how to integrate 3D so that it becomes a natural experience (as opposed to shoving it in our faces), the immersion will be second to none.
At least, that’s what I hope for the future of 3D.
Maybe it’s just a resurrected fad from the past that will eventually recede as it did before. In terms of limitations, 3D is still in its infancy.
But maybe we’re taking it a step further, crossing a bridge that will, someday, lead to a full 3D experience without worrying about headaches or wearing fancy glasses.
That is an experience I would be willing to invest in.
