Anyone else think 3D technology will fall on its face?

[CFFJR]

Talking about this with several different people, I frequently hear the argument that if the companies didn't think this 3d could succeed, they wouldn't be throwing so much money at it.

I'm of the opinion that they are simply trying to force the issue. Most people have a flat screen, hdtv of some variety nowadays, and they need "the next big thing" to try to create another craze and sell some more tvs.

Here's the thing though. They've been trying this 3d nonsense for decades at this point. Every few years there's another push, and it always fails.Granted, the quality is much better now (no more red and blues for instance) but you still need the damn equipment to watch anything.

I hate going to the movies and they hand me those damn glasses, and I know I have two hours of discomfort ahead of me, as the immersion of the movie is ruined while I push the crappy, oversized plastic junk up on my nose for the fiftieth time. Anybody who wears glasses normally must have a bitch of a time with the damn 3d glasses.

I refuse to watch 3d movies at the theater if they have a normal 2d version. I hate how dark they make things look. I hate the way the glasses get incurably smudged. And finally, the 3d is not impressive anyway. It hurts the whole experience for me. And I'm always annoyed when the box office guy gives me the dumb look when I purchase my tickets: "Uhhh, you know that's not the 3d version right?" Yeah dumbass, that's what I asked for, I wouldn't be here otherwise.

In the end though, I firmly believe the price point will kill it. The 3d glasses they are selling to accompany the 3dtvs are going for nearly $300 dollars a pair. That means if I'm dumb enough to piss away a couple thousand dollars on a 3dtv, I'm also going to have to spend another 600 bucks on two pairs of glasses just so my wife and I can watch a movie together. And if we have any friends or family over for a movie? Well, I guess I'm shit out of luck.

The whole thing is bunk. They're trying to soak people for money, and frankly, I hope it crashes and burns, just like every other time.

Sorry for the long rant here. I freaking love technology, but there are times when I'm really disgusted by it.

[(-_-)]

3D + FPS = obvious sales ploy, but potentially awesome.

Someone tell Gates to get on this, stat.

Oh, and I want a percentage of sales residuals.

But not the current 3d where stuff just pops out at you. The kind that involves head tracking so your screen has the illusion of more depth. 3d doesn't do anything but pop out at you, which is kind of lame. Now if you have head tracking, your television/moniter is a potentially endless box, and you can see this because the perspective changes to how you move, and you get a better illusion of 3d. Imagine playing first person shooters where you could actually peak OVER cover, and actually dodge bullets as they fly past your face. And you still wouldn't have to physically jump around and flail and waggle, just move your head a bit. It all makes perfect sense in my head...

[Erik_Twice]

These two failed, Time Traveler and Virtua Boy. I think 3D will be a passing fad.

Yeah, if crappy games couldn't get costumers itnerested how are good games going to be able to secure the interest?

It's going to appear sooner or later. There's no reason to think it's going to be a flop this time, the technology is here and it has great support. People are going to watch those movies and Nvidia is selling their glasses. No reason to think it's going to flop.

[RCBH928]

I think 3D should be used as a tool to enhance the experience.
for example, I would watch a 2D horror movie and when the monster is revealed he pops screaming right there in your face.

Maybe it can be used to show that something is very far away , or maybe rain is falling all around you, but I don't think it works to watch a full movie in 3D just because its the next big thing

[Luke]

Imagine a survival horror game like Resident Evil 4 in 3D.

That would be fairly incredible.

[avrame]

Man, I just need to point out that 3D gaming has been around on computers for a while now. Nvidia had those 3D shutter glasses (nvidia 3D vision) since about 1.5 - 2 years ago, and man I wanted to get those so bad, but you need a monitor that supports 120 hz to be able to use it.

For the cheaper end of the spectrum, nvidia as offers stereo 3D (ala red and blue glasses), known as nvidia 3d discover. I bought these a year ago, well before the whole avatar and coraline 3D craze, and I must say, 3D gaming is really impressive.

To respond to Luke, yes, resident evil 4 AND 5 on pc look amazing in 3D, really creepy when you see some one pop up from behind you and choke you. My fave fights in 3d are either the chainsaw excution, the el gigante, and the el gato (I think thats what they refered to the Croc as...)

Still, 3D games shouldn't be limited to FPS, World of Warcraft, and Age of Empires look awesome in 3D too Check out what games are currently supported for 3d here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/3D_Vision_3D_Games.html

All you need to try it out is standard 3D glasses (red and blue) and a nvidia graphics card (9800 minimum I believe)

[Limewater]

Blu-Ray DVD's and HD TV were also once considered a "fad". Then again, so were HD dvds.

Really? When?

[Luke]

Bout three years ago. At least Blu-Ray survived.

[ujnhunter]

G-g-g-gimmick! 3D is like Motion Controls... very few people get it right.

[Limewater]

Bout three years ago. At least Blu-Ray survived.

I don't think I've ever seen HDTV referred to as a fad, except for once in a dumb message board post I found while googling "HDTV fad".

I don't know for sure, but I think 3D TV and movies are probably here to stay, though I don't really like either. Electronics manufacturers need something new to sell everyone who already bought an HDTV, and movie studios need to give people a reason to go to the theater and put up with all that crap rather than just watching movies at home.