Everything old is new again. While it first emerged in the 1950s as a passing fad, 3D technology for movies is making a comeback. Yes, you still need to wear special glasses to see it, but that might not be true much longer...and some manufacturers are determined to make the 3D leap from the movies into your living room. Keep reading to find out the state of the art.
We’ve all seen the old black and white photographs of young couples, kids, and grownups from the 1950s shielding their faces in horror while witnessing what at the time was considered to be cutting edge technology: 3D movies. Movie goers from this more wholesome time were able to see classics such as the original "House of Wax" in a way that had never been experienced before, which is to say while wearing flimsy paper glasses with red and blue lenses.
The movies were quite dramatic and cheesy and the 3D effects were nowhere near as realistic as they are today, but these early films engaged audiences and began a short-lived trend that is once again gaining popularity. After all, the new go-to horror director, Rob Zombie, is currently in talks to direct a remake of “The Blob,” another 1950s classic, but this time he’ll be doing it in 3D.
In the 50s when the popularity of television exploded, the motion picture industry was left reeling and trying to figure out how they could once again lure audiences into theaters. Even at this time, 3D films weren’t a new phenomena; this technology was developed and experimented with during the silent film era, but it never made a big splash. Motion picture executives in the 50s, however, were hoping that 3D films would be appealing enough to entice customers back into theater seats and away from their beloved television sets.
For a short time in America, over 5,000 movie theater were screening 3D movies. They were also being produced and showcased in Britain, Japan, Germany, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Unfortunately for the film industry, the buzz surrounding these realistic-seeming movies eventually died out as viewers began complaining of headaches during screenings, and shooting these movies became too expensive.
Obviously, the use of this technology didn’t entirely disappear. Today’s 3D offerings are like no other in our history; the glasses have gotten cooler as well. 3D movies now show on massive screens at IMAX theaters, and if recent releases by Pixar (“Up”) and Disney (“A Christmas Carol”) are any indication, the technology is experiencing a major comeback. A couple of popular electronics companies are interested in taking this technology even farther by offering 3D devices that consumers can use in the comfort of their own home.
A recent study of individuals who consider themselves “technologically savvy”and interested in new gadgets found that consumers are interested in practical 3D video devices that don’t require the use of glasses. Coincidentally, two such devices were showcased at the 2009 Digital Content Expo held in Tokyo this past October. Though Sony’s device is in very early development and Pioneer’s may not be available in the U.S. for months, both provide a valuable glimpse into what the future of television and 3D technology will look like. Let’s find out more about these offerings from Sony and Pioneer.
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