3D TV - Surprisingly Good?

I remember seeing Freddy's Dead - The Final Nightmare at the cinema back in 1991, a film that had its finale filmed in 3D and as a viewer, you had to put on your anaglyph 3D glasses at the same time as the heroine, Maggie, does in the film.  The 3D left no lasting impression and neither did the film.  Fast forward many years and I had my first experience of home 3D thanks to a special 3D Shrek short found on a Shrek 2 DVD.  Again, this was good old blue and red glasses time and although things poked out of the screen well enough, I've still got the headache it caused.

Avatar was hyped as the beginning of the modern 3D revolution; a sci-fi/fantasy epic filmed in 3D and my first cinematic experience of polarized RealD.  I sat through 155 minutes of blur, where my eyes refused to focus properly, only occasionally noticed the 3D and became frustrated at how dark everything seemed.  When my eyes needed a rest, I took off the glasses and there was...not a lot of difference aside from a brighter screen.  For something billed as breathtaking, Avatar's 3D didn't impress.

Since then the A/V world has been bombarded with home 3D products, including TVs, Blu-ray players and a feeble amount of content.  All my previous contact with 3D, whether at home or in the cinema, had been negative.  Fine, I had seen some depth in images and some things floating around in front of me, but nothing that seemed to warrant the industry investing so much in a technology that has failed to take off several times before.

It was with a heavy heart then, that I tested the Samsung UE55C8000 55" LED TV.  This super-slim 3D set has four HDMI sockets, each with HDMI 1.4 spec, 1080p, a freeview tuner and several online streaming media services.  A top spec certainly, but then it does cost an eye-watering €2919!  Samsung's very stylish BD-C6900 (€399) was used to supply the screen with a 3D copy of Monsters vs. Aliens, part of the €149 Starter Pack which you have to buy as it has the two pairs of glasses inside.

After pressing the on/off button found on the right-hand corner of the glasses, I put them on, expecting the same things all over again.  It was, however, the opposite.  First of all, the 3D image produced was as clear as a bell, with no blur or focusing issues, and the brightness didn't seem to be adversely affected, while secondly, there was actual depth!  Characters who stood far away looked far away, items which flew towards you actually looked like they did and when Ginormica pulls her huge gun out, it was right there in my face!  As far as 3D films go, this was something of a revelation, as for the first time, I felt it made a difference.

As I continued to watch, my eyes played along properly and I had no fear of developing a debilitating headache.  It was a startling turn of events - a technology I had sneered at turned out to be actually rather good.  

Unfortunately, I couldn't see another film because there aren't any; which did put me off reaching into my pocket for the best part of three-and-a-half grand.  I wasn't sold on the 3D conversion of 2D programming either, as I don't think Yes Minister or Seinfeld really needs such a thing, and despite the Samsung glasses sitting neatly over my spectacles, I wouldn't want to wear them every time I turned the telly on.  It's also worth noting that the smaller the screen, the less 3D effect there was, so to get the most from it, you're going to have to stump up some pretty serious cash.

Obviously the price of 3D equipment needs to - and will - drop, but I'm still not convinced film is where 3D in the home will succeed.  Sure, it will be fun to have Monsters vs. Aliens and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on the shelf ready for a 3D afternoon with the kids, but seeing how truthfully great the 3D effect was, all it made me think was how brilliant gaming will be in 3D.  Turning 2D games into 3D games can apparently be done on the fly, so you won't have to buy all new software, plus future games will be specially produced to take advantage of the additional dimension. 

My first experience with home 3D has certainly made me more open to the technology, but still hasn't convinced me it's anything more than a gimmick.  However, what I will say is this: in the case of the 55" Samsung, it's a highly impressive and very desirable gimmick!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Blu-ray Announced, Along with Sony Streaming Offer

Much as they did with the release of Hancock last year, Sony are once again giving owners of their networked Bravia HDTVs or Blu-ray players the chance to rent a new movie online.  The film in question is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and it will be available between the 8th December and the 4th January, which covers the month before the retail Blu and DVD version hits the shelves on the 5th January.

You'll need to own one of the following Sony products, the W5100, Z5100. XBR9 and XBR10 Bravia HDTVs or the BDP-N460 Blu-ray player, all of which will have to be connected to the Internet to take advantage of the offer.

The rental version provided will be in 720p and you'll be able to watch it as often as you like over a 24-hour period and if you newly purchase your networked Sony equipment between those dates mentioned above, you're in luck as you'll be entitled to one free stream of the film.  Unfortunately for all those already owning the requisite TV or Blu-ray player, you're going to have to lay down $24.95 for the pleasure of one full day's access to the film!

So, a great deal for new customers, but a rotten one for existing ones.  Those preferring to spend their money on a copy of the film which won't expire after 24-hours will get the following bonus features on the Blu-ray released on the 5th January:

• Bill Hader commentary track.
• A Recipe for Success - Making-of.
• Key Ingredients - Voices-of.
• Extended and early development scenes.
• Enhanced Blu-ray game named Flint's Food Fight.
• Effects reels.
• Music videos, sing-a-longs, trailers and an interactive 'splat' button to throw virtual food at the screen during the movie.

The retail cost is $39.99 and online it should work out at a very similar cost to the Sony rental, but you will get a 1080p picture, DTS-HD audio plus a digital copy and a DVD in the same box.

BDA Gets Behind 3D Blu-ray Technology

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) have announced to the world they intend to bring 3D technology to the Blu-ray disc.  The latest 3D technology has had a resurgence in the cinema this year, with a variety of movies - mostly animated fare - showing in both 3D and 2D form, which Walt Disney President Bob Chapek describes as 'very successful'.  The BDA want to ensure future 3D Blu-ray's have the ability to show both 3D and 2D versions, plus new hardware must be backwards compatible too.

This press release ties in nicely with Sony head Howard Stringer's words at the IFA this week, as he claims Sony intend to have 3D televisions out on to the market by the end of 2010, in addition to 3D players and PS3 games.  While in theory 3D is a great thing, the reality is something a little less.  Take Sony's decision on the glasses for example.  They have decided on something called 'LCD shutter' glasses, the lenses of which alternately darken and brighten at the same speed as the TV's refresh rate in order to generate a 3D image.  So, to watch a 3D movie we need a new TV - as 3D requires 120Hz - and a new player, the 3D disc, a transmitter for the glasses and the glasses themselves. 

These stereoscopic images are different from the polarization technique used in cinemas and different again from the traditional red/cyan lens anaglyph method, none of which solve the issues for anyone who already wears glasses!  

So, what are your thoughts on 3D?  Would you buy all the new equipment needed to display a 3D movie?  Do the glasses bother you or give you a headache?  Is 3D just a cynical way for cinemas to make more money by charging for 'glasses rental', or for the industry to overcome piracy?  Let us know in the comments.

Reference Series Blu-ray Deck

Marantz has the makings of the "one deck to rule them all" kind of product.  This would be a player that not only can play Blu-ray discs, and needless to say DVD's and audio CD's, but it can also do those SACD's which are the ultimate in audio, short of being there live of course.  Few details are out, including the guts behind the audio playback and what type of decoder will be used.  Word is out that it will feature the Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module technology (HDAM) and have an SD card slot thrown in for good measure.  This player will carry the model number UD9004.

This type of deck is not for the masses, as few demand this type of technology all rolled up in one package.  Of course, I also don't have to mention that the price tag is expected to be in the five large ones range...

Panasonic 2009 Blu-ray

The prices have been set for the new for 2009 Panasonic Blu-ray players.  Recall that the new models feature VIERA Cast.  This is a new feature that enables the Blu-ray player to display internet content such as YouTube, Google Picases, a weather channel and Amazon video on demand.  There's no word if it will display Hulu, which would definitely put these decks into my Amazon shopping cart.

Today, the pricing got released.  The DMP-BD60 will have a MSRP of $299.95; the DMP-BD80 will go for $399, and the DMP-BD70V $399.95.  Not a bad entry point for such premium featured decks.  All include an SD Card slot, and a USB slot.  The BD70V features a upscaling VHS deck to see your old videos in 1080p pixelness.  Also of note, in an effort to "go green," the BD60 will use 16% less power in standby mode.

New Blu-ray Player Is Rock Soup

The Samsung BD-P1600 seems to have it act together.  For an almost entry level Blu-ray player, it sports a name brand disc player, BD-Live functionality, and also can stream video from a NetFlix account.  All in all, I'd think that it would be capable of everything that you would expect a new Blu-ray set top box to do these days, and the $300 price tag is not too far off the mark for the fuller feature set offered.

However, when delved into a little deeper, not all is so well done.  The BD-Live function needs "an additional 1 gig of storage."  Huh?  Where is that coming from?  A flash drive maybe?  Couldn't they just put the memory into the device already?

If that wasn't enough, it also is wireless capable, but needs another Samsung adapter to enable this.  Personally, I'd just rather have an Ethernet port, and let me choose if I hook it up via Powerline, or a wireless bridge adapter.  The mere thought of being locked into a propietary network solution sends a shiver down my spine.

At any rate, the player is showing up in Best Buys.  Just be aware that it needs some more dough to make it fully featured.

PS3 To Lose Blu-ray?

For many months now, many folks have held that the PS3 was the best of the Blu-ray players.  That was based on the affordable price, and the features that were built into the box, including BD-Live.  However, there's a rumor floating around that Sony may look to cut the price of their latest videogame console player.  What extra might they be trimming?  The whisper is "Blu-ray."

Could it be?  Wouldn't this just take away the best feature of the PS3?  At least some folks bought the product more for its movie playing functionality than as a gaming platform.  Can't they cut the price without gutting it from the inside out?  Doesn't Sony want to encourage people to adopt the Blu-ray format, and wouldn't this send the wrong message?

Personally, I'd rather see them make a Blu-ray only version of the PS3.  In other words, a high quality Blu-ray player that sold for less, and didn't do games.  While I thought this rumor was kind of ridiculous at first, you can see it here and here.

In the meantime, the value of your "old and outdated" PS3 may just have gone up on eBay depending on how this pans out...

Blu-ray Retreads

Maybe it's a sign of the downward economics of the day, or maybe we're just all going a little more green, but today I encountered two situations of cheap Blu-ray by taking the preowned route.  Yeah, yeah, I know, there are certain things that I want brand spankin' new as well.  However, eBay should have taught all of us that there's nothing wrong with saving a few bucks by getting a product that was someone else's.

First up is a used Blu-ray player.  None other than internet retailer NewEgg is having a special on a Blu-ray player.  It's the Samsung BDP-1500, and while it does not do BD-Live, it's otherwise a solid player.  Personally I'd rather have a used name brand player, than some off brand, even if it is new.  Oh, and the price is right at just under $145, which is a great deal for a Blu-ray player, especially considering that you don't need to wake up at 3 AM and stand out in the cold for it.

The other retread is a used Blu-ray disc.  As we have more discs on the market, it was bound to happen that retailers would want to get rid of the returns.  Reportedly the image is from Best Buy, and the price is right.  For the price of the DVD, you can purchase the used Blu-ray.  Now that sounds like a reasonable trade off to me, and with Blu-ray discs less than $20 available, the price differential is melting away like the winter of 2009.

Is Blu-ray the Next Sirius?

In this struggling global economy, it can definitely be a game of roulette as to what will get consumers to open their wallets when it comes to new products?  For example, it wasn't intuitively obvious that netbooks would account for such a large chunk of PC sales.  Be that as it may, I ran upon this analysis of trying to link Blu-ray with struggling Sirius XM radio, and postulating they will have a similar fate.

Huh?  I'm left scratching my head on this one as well.  I really don't see the parallel here.  They are just totally different business models.  Satellite radio is a pure subscription, and the hardware locks you into a single provider.  Don't pay the bill for the month, and you can toss the gadget out the car window as it won't do anything.  In the end, there just aren't that many folks willing to pay to listen to the radio.  With consumers picking up bills for more cell phone features, faster internet, and more HD channels, I just thought that satellite radio would be the breaking point, and mantra of "Enough is enough," and not be willing to fork over the "little more" for more choices.  In the end, I don't think it was terrestrial radio that was its main competition, but iPod and Zune devices, with their free podcasts, and never ending audio choices, that made many wonder why pay a monthly fee for so few channels of satellite radio compared to the endless internet.

The article goes on to point out that Blu-ray will follow the same fate which I disagree with.  First of all, it is not a closed ecosystem.  Any Blu-ray discs will work (with isolated exceptions) with every player.  While it is true that online video is the main competition, I think Blu-ray will still find a place.  How exactly are most consumers getting their NetFlix subscription onto the living room TV?  It's easier with a dedicated device, and Blu-ray has that covered as well with newer players that add in bells and whistles to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.  The Blu-ray player is slowly being transformed into a dedicated living room PC, in a way that was not foreseen.  Not to mention that so many owners of HDTV's want the highest quality image, and quickly realize that DVD's are not it.

No, Blu-ray is far from going down the road of satellite radio, and here to stay.  Don't you agree?

Blu-ray Exceeds Digital Downloads

Currently, there have been questions and debate as to the future of physical media.  While we all collected DVD discs, it's still not clear if the de facto replacement for this venerable technology is Blu-ray, or simply a digital download which bypasses physical media.  Movies available on iTunes, or the films available on NetFlix (which technically stream and don't download in the strictest sense) all bring content through your internet connection and bypass the disc in the box approach of a b&m store.  We should also bear in mind that $1.5 billion worth of movie content was sold and downloaded through direct digital downloads for last year.

Blu-ray aficionados can breathe easily in the latest stats here.  Blu-ray sold a "mere" $1.1 billion (hard to use mere and billion in the same sentence....) in discs last year.  Good, but not great.  However, for the current year of 2009, Blu-ray is expected to move $2.9 billion of discs.  This is a 150% increase for these products, and a pretty strong showing.  They also prognosticate that digital downloads will still only be 15% of the home movie market, which relegates it to a niche product, and not the dominant way that film will be delivered.