Toronto – As Future Shop and LG Canada celebrated its first anniversary of 3D technology in Canada, the retailer attempted to dis-prove the many myths circulating around 3D.
According to LG and Future Shop, there are seven myths about 3D.
Myth No. 1: 3D can only do 3D.Dave Chichelnik, sales manager of Future Shop, said that’s totally false as people do not have to watch the morning news in 3D. New LG Cinema 3D displays enables views to switch from a 2D viewing experience to a 3D one.
Myth No. 2: You need 3D glasses to watch 3D screens.
Again, Chichelnick said users can convert to 2D and 3D as they please and glasses are not necessary for watching 2D content.
http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=59062″ target=”_blank”>Frank Lee, LG Canada’s vice-president of public affairs told CDN that within three to five years LG 3D technology will eliminate the glasses altogether.
Myth No. 3: You have to wait to buy 3D screens because they are priced at a premium or luxury level
Lee said that price erosion is a reality in the market today and it has made 3D TVs affordable. For example, the 55-inch LG Cinema 3D unit is available for $2,649. HP flat panel displays were priced in 2010 at $100 per inch and in this year the price dropped dramatically to $42 per inch.
“You are getting more for every dollar you spend and the features are going up,” Lee added.
In addition, LG manufacturers 95 per cent of all of its products which enables the company to set aggressive price points because they can control costs in their factories,” Lee said.
Myth No. 4: 3D glasses are grossly expensive
Well that used to be true. LG Cinema 3D technology doesn’t require traditional shutter or active 3D glasses as images are displayed in an entirely flicker free environment. The active 3D glasses had an average price point of $249 in Canada. Future Shop is selling these 3D glasses for under $10 or in a two pack for $19.95. Elliott Chung of Future Shop said that later on this year Future Shop will carry a set of five with multi-coloured 3D glasses.
If you need to wear regular glasses you can purchase a clip-on for $19.95, said Torsten Spahr, national training support manager for LG Canada.
Myth No. 5: 3D glasses lead to eye-strain
The active or shutter 3D glasses weighed more than 40 grams and have been criticized by users as leading to eye-strain. LG Cinema 3D technology has a 3rd layer in the display that gives viewers the 3D effect, said Spahr.
“The display does all the work and your eyes do not have to work overtime so you can get a 3D experience,” he added.
The new Cinema 3D glasses weigh just 16 grams, have no electrical parts and are free of electromagnetic waves. They also never have to be recharged. These are the same type of 3D glasses used in movie theatres. They also do not break easily.
Myth No. 6: There isn’t any 3D content to watch.
This myth can still be debated and really depends on what a person enjoys watching. If you don’t like sports for example then there is nothing to watch. But if you do the Masters Golf Tournament is in 3D, Hockey Night in Canada broadcasted a game recently in 3D and the last two games of the World Cup of Soccer were in 3D. Chichelnick said that 30 feature films are available in 3D including Clash of the Titans and Avatar. Games such as Call to Duty are also in 3D.
Myth No. 7: No 3D components
There is an assumption in the market place that if you have a 3D TV will not work with a Blue Ray player. It can and LG has come out with a Blue Ray player for 3D. Unfortunately those with old DVD players are out of luck.
Another misconception of 3D technology is that all a user is getting is a 3D TV. Chung said that LG 3D displays are smart TVs that can control the temperature in the room, lighting, and even gives you a wake up call. These units come with Google search which can split the screen for view and for checking things out. “In the past you’d be watching a movie and say who is that actor. You would have to boot up your laptop and go to IMBD.com to find out. With this technology you can put away your laptop and the TV can search that for you without missing any of your movie,” Chung said.
Future Shop has committed to making 50 per cent of its screens 3D. “We want to help re-enforce that 3D is not a fad and these new glasses are going to help,” he added.
Follow Paolo Del Nibletto on Twitter: @PaoloCDN.
