What would lure you to 3D TV?

What would lure you to 3D TV?

TV manufacturers are opening up the goodie bags in an attempt to convince TV buyers to take the step to 3D this Christmas

Say what you will about the price, the glasses, the lack of content; at any press event we've been to, the novelty of 3D is something hard to ignore.

But with prices ranging from under $2000 (see this LG advertised by JB HiFi) to $10,000, it's still the kind of luxury item that might take some convincing before you buy.

This Christmas the big brands aren't holding back, with several offering promotion bonuses for 3D TV shoppers.

One of the bigger bonuses is a package from Samsung valued at $1249. Buy a Samsung 3D TV from November 1, and Samsung promises you'll also get a 22in Series 4 LED TV, four 3D Blu-Ray movies and four 3D glasses.

Sony is dangling the carrot for its Bravia 3D range with an offer of 160GB PS3, two 3D glasses and transmitter, two 3D movies, Gran Turismo 5 3D, four PS3 3D games and a download voucher. The TV must be bought between October 22 and December 24.

Meanwhile, LG is offering something novel with its 3D TVs - a 3D camera. Buy an LG 3D TV and the company promises a Fujifilm 3D W1 camera and two pairs of glasses.

While promotional bonus giveaways like this are nothing to sneeze at, we've noted in the past that these and cashback offers have also been the cause of some complaints. As always, check the terms and conditions, especially whether there's a limited supply. It's also worth checking for costs. LG, for example, says delivery charges up to $25 may apply.

But is all the fuss warranted? As our feature in this month's issue of PC Authority magazine explains, one of 3D's strengths right now is games.

On the downside, there's the glasses, potentially dimmer picture depending on brand and model, and lack of movies and TV shows in 3D.

Our advice? If you're buying a TV this Christmas, consider all the factors, like IPTV services (like Bravia Internet Video) and 2D picture quality.

Have you been considering 3D? What would get you over the line? A certain movie? A free to air 3D TV channel? Add your comment below.

Source: Copyright © PC & Tech Authority. All rights reserved.

See more about:  3d  |  sony  |  samsung  |  lg
 
 
Comments: 15
dweebken
28 October 2010
I saw 3D at an IEC meeting in Seattle earlier this month. One with 3D glasses - the battery in the glasses was flat or something so they didn't work. And one without glasses, just natural in your face naked eye viewing. It was brilliant! I'm gonna wait for the naked-eye 3D to go mainstream, then wait for the prices to drop and wait for content to become prevalent before I'll spend the $$s.


Comment made about the PC Authority article:
What would lure you to 3D TV??
TV manufacturers are opening up the goodie bags in an attempt to convince TV buyers to take the step to 3D this Christmas

What do you think? Join the discussion.
Ted
28 October 2010
If the TV stations would put content worth viewing I might consider it. As the free to air offering they don't interest me and my TV watching has deminished since the stations have started re-runs of re-runs. The is very little content for mature watchers., who would make up the bulk of viewers as the younger viewers have left watching TV altogather., by younger biewer I mean below 35 years of age.
rubaiyat
28 October 2010
People want to listen in heavy traffic to Jingle Bells in Surround Sound, with the woofers racked up to 120Db. Content doesn't matter much when you're already half deaf.

Of course Neena Mairata reading the News topless in 3D would do much to attract the mature thoughtful viewer back to free to air.
Eromanga
28 October 2010
I'm with you Ted. What would lure me to 3D TV? What would lure me to TV? Good content. There isn't much so I don't watch TV.
c310pilot
28 October 2010
as my life quality is rather poor, living in a nursing home, disabled tv is a great way to enjoy long nights and days. yes i wouldlove one.
thankyou rob clode-- mtbeauty vic.
BobD
28 October 2010
Like dweebken I am waiting for 3D tv with no glasses. I am in regional Victoria and, so far as I know, there are no transmissions of 3D yet in our area. I wonder if they will have ads in 3D? There seems to be more ads these days than show content. The dropping of some of the HD channels makes FTA viewing less attractive also.
Slatts
28 October 2010
rubaiyat wrote:
Of course Neena Mairata reading the News topless in 3D would do much to attract the mature thoughtful viewer back to free to air.


Only for the content of course.. 8-[

Seriously, there are 2 things that will drive the uptake of 3D TV.

One is sport.

rubaiyat
28 October 2010
Slatts wrote:
… there are 2 things…


Yes those were what I was thinking of. \:d/
petergaskin
29 October 2010
After watching Avatar in 3d - and buying my last tv with only 1366 res, nothing would make me want to buy a 3d tv.
rubaiyat
29 October 2010
I've seen three 3D movies now and was struck by how un 3D they looked, more like an occasional floating cutout in the air, not rounded and natural.

If they have a good storyline you quickly forgot you are watching 3D except the occasional discomfort.

If they didn't have a good story, no amount of "special" effects compensates for the pretty cruddy experience with the glasses. However I am very well aware that I am not your typical viewer or consumer.

Most consumers seem to be caught in a cycle of expecting the next gadget to be a life changing experience and when it isn't, tossing it for next short lived consumer hit. Slow learners.
911TS
31 October 2010
Nothing will entice me to 3D TV. Waste of time.
In a year or two 3D will be forgotten.

All I want is to be able to select from a range of reasonably priced, quality 55" 200Hz LED backlit TV's.

Unfortunately there aren't many to choose from because manufacturers have wasted their effort producing 3D Tv. A silly gimmick used to double the price.
Slatts
31 October 2010
911TS wrote:
Nothing will entice me to 3D TV. Waste of time.
In a year or two 3D will be forgotten.

All I want is to be able to select from a range of reasonably priced, quality 55" 200Hz LED backlit TV's.

Unfortunately there aren't many to choose from because manufacturers have wasted their effort producing 3D Tv. A silly gimmick used to double the price.


In all likelihood, you're right 911.

Still, I get these flashbacks to Bill Gates in 95, "The internet is a flash in the pan."

Or earlier, “640K is more memory than anyone will ever need”, although Bill denies having said that.

But you get the picture, only a brave man or a fool nails his colours to the mast when predicting tech.

.:Cyb3rGlitch:.
1 November 2010
Slatts wrote:

Still, I get these flashbacks to Bill Gates in 95, "The internet is a flash in the pan."

That quote isn't getting me any Google hits. Paraphrased?
rubaiyat
1 November 2010
I don't think Bill Gates ever said that, he just tried to ignore the Internet to death.

It obviously didn't work.

Also the other quote was “Nobody will ever need anymore than 64k of memory”. Much more reasonable! :lol:
Slatts
1 November 2010
.:Cyb3rGlitch:. wrote:
Slatts wrote:

Still, I get these flashbacks to Bill Gates in 95, "The internet is a flash in the pan."

That quote isn't getting me any Google hits. Paraphrased?


A quick search found this (down near the bottom).

Probably was paraphrased though.

Try, "The internet is just a passing fad".

I just picked that one out of my (not necessarily reliable) memory.

The other one I researched.

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