The Third Dimension: Part One Comments

Nicely done Mr Andrews! Looking forward to part two.

Yes , interesting article indeed Stuart - thanks. I too look forward to your next episode 3D home cinema - mmmmmm dowwnuuts.
Mind you, I guess we will be in for some serious hardware, I guess approaching, 1080p/720p @144fps :-O gulp. AND as a spectacle wearer, 'shades' that don't make you look like you have amnesia and put two pairs on this morning. Because double lens reflections are bad bad bad.

Better start saving now folks......

Great article, it had me asking myself the last time I visited a cinema, back in 2001 London IMAX I think it was, some technical extravaganza with no plot involving animals. I hope for these industry insiders I am not the normal demographic.

I predict history will once again repeat itself and the increased cost of production/lack of interest bring this latest fad to a stop.

Maybe the yoof and dumb blondes will take up the glasses as a fashion statement though they should get designer frames involved.

The 3D webcam is already on the market and this involves the cardboard retro glasses, I predict that will be doomed too, as people really don't like being made to look stupid.

@Stu
From the excellent diagram you whipped up of what is involved, the number of cameras/operators would double increasing costs. The problem movie studios have these days is the they are ignoring the basics for CGI and effects, one example here is Benjamin Button, a film with little plot or substance and that's being kind.

You are right I think this would be far more successful being a family affair at the pictures with things like Nemo, thinking about I could well be tempted back to the cinema to watch Nemo 3D, just the thought sounds quite amazing, yes I think the CGI/Studioworks type projects could benefit significantly and with interaction from home appliances harnessed correctly even further the audience participation.

Hmmm my scepticsm is turning into a technical embrace maybe 3D is the future after all, I will still resist the charms of a Angelina 3D snog no matter how they script write it.

Nemo 3D yes please.

@Stu I beleive you are correct. The modern digital opportunities for studios and cinemas have improved the chances of 3D becoming widespread. Plus of course many people have HD/HD ready sets making them more susceptable to the opportunity. Together with the fact that the studios are afterall a money making machine and need to explore new markets for revenue. I would not be surprised if this is also a concept ( as you point for cinema) an exploit to remove pirating opportunities. Tho' the impact if of this reaches the technology reaches home is debatable.
I for one would welcome the big movies in 3D and would definately encourage me and my family back to the big screen - bigger than my home cinema at any rate.

I guess like BR/HD-DVD it will come back to global standards and the most cost effective way to implement and deploy the technology both big screen and eventually(I Guess)in the home..... fingers crossed

Once again thanks for an interesting divergent article for the usual 'reviews'

Well done TR, an excellent insight into the world of 3D. I interested to learn if any of the technologies will be capable of transmitting 3D with the use of glasses? Also with picture quality measures for 2D being sharpness, contrast ratio, etc. are there any 3D specific picture quality measures?

Can't wait for part " !!! Get writing...

Great article, looking forward to part 2. What I would like to know is if any of the competing technologies take into account us poor souls who are colour blind. I saw two 3D presentations last year for the first time since I was a little kid in the early 80s. I have red/green colour blindness, and for me, I didnt get a 3D effect all of the time. The problem for me was worse for things that were supposed to be very close to you. I got a weird double image which was quite distracting and uncomfortable at times. I saw the space station IMAX at kennedy space center, and the "honey I shrunk the audience" at disneys epcot centre. The bit where Rick Moranis is floating right in front of your eyes was a double image. Everyone else in the room seemed to think this was fantastic - I really felt as though I was missing out. Needless to say my so called friends with perfect eyesight had no sympathy!

When it worked for me, the 3D effect is truly emersive and really adds to the experience. If I was paying specifically to see a 3D movie and it didnt work for me half the time, I would really feel short changed.

Well if you want to get familiar with the old fashion games technology but apply to games you can now just follow the steps, i really hope someone could aplly this to movies quick...will be home blessing not quite spectacular like 3d theaters now but still a little of something is something...
http://gamerslastwill.com/2009/02/02/3d-left-4-dead-for-free-oh-yeah-heres-how/

All this is very interesting, but even if 3d takes off, after a while the wow factor will be gone and audiences will become more particular about what they watch again. Aren't there technologies being developed that don't need the silly glasses? That'd be my 3d nirvana tbh.