Will 3D TV ever return?
While 3D TVs saw a rapid rise and fall in popularity in the early 2010s, the technology could eventually make a comeback thanks to ongoing 3D movie releases and new immersive display technologies on the horizon. But don‘t expect major manufacturers to revive 3D TVs anytime soon.
The 3D TV craze
3D TVs first emerged on the consumer market around 2010, promising a more immersive viewing experience. Many sets used active shutter 3D technology that required wearing specialized glasses. The glasses synchronized with the TV to alternate the images sent to each eye, creating a stereoscopic 3D effect.
Initially, the future looked promising for 3D TVs, with major manufacturers like LG, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic releasing 3D-capable models. Avid home theater fans embraced the new technology. But several issues doomed 3D TVs to rapid decline:
– The glasses were expensive, cumbersome, and uncomfortable for many viewers.
– 3D TVs required special 3D content, but there was a lack of 3D broadcasting and Blu-ray releases.
– 3D viewing was limited to a central "sweet spot" due to the narrow viewing angles of most LCD TVs.
– Adding 3D substantially increased the cost of TVs, with no proportional increase in demand from consumers.
By 2016, all major manufacturers had stopped releasing new 3D TV models. The technology had proven to be a short-lived fad.
Are any companies still making 3D TVs?
While major global brands have moved on, a few smaller manufacturers continue producing niche 3D TV models catering to custom home theater installers and 3D gaming enthusiasts. These include companies like Tridelity, Vizio, SeeCubic and LG subsidiary CINEBEAM.
But the major TV makers have clearly shifted focus to 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. 3D capability is no longer even mentioned in their product lines. The last major holdouts, Sony and LG, discontinued 3D TV production in 2017.
Can you still buy a 3D TV?
While buying a brand new 3D TV is very difficult today, you can still find used/refurbished 3D TVs available through some specialty A/V sites and eBay sellers. Plasma TVs like the Panasonic VT60 and Samsung F8500 remain sought-after for their superior 3D image quality.
But buying an older 3D TV today means limited 4K or smart functionality. And there‘s no guarantee you can find replacement 3D glasses. If you want 3D, it may be better to buy a projector or VR headset.
Do they still make 3D movies and Blu-rays?
Yes, many movies are still created with 3D in mind, mainly for the theatrical experience. Recent examples with 3D releases include Doctor Strange, Dune, Eternals, Thor: Love and Thunder, Avatar: The Way of Water and many animated films.
3D Blu-ray discs also continue to be released alongside regular 2D Blu-rays for the home market. So there is 3D content available for those who still own 3D TVs and Blu-ray players.
That said, the number of 3D theatrical and Blu-ray releases has declined significantly since 2010-2013 when 3D TV interest peaked. The market is clearly shrinking.
Will 3D make a comeback?
While unlikely in the near future, a 3D revival is possible down the road thanks to some promising display technologies that could solve past issues:
– Glasses-free 3D TVs – Using lenticular lenses or parallax barriers, these allow 3D viewing without glasses. Mass production is still a challenge.
– OLED TVs – With wide viewing angles and fast response times, OLED provides a superior 3D experience compared to older LCD TVs.
– Mini-LED TVs – Small LEDs with local dimming boost LCD contrast and viewing angles, improving suitability for 3D.
– VR/AR headsets – 3D virtual reality systems like Oculus are seeing rapid growth. Headset displays keep improving.
– Holographic displays – While early in development, holographic TVs could provide glasses-free, 360-degree 3D viewing.
Major TV brands are focused on 4K and 8K TVs for now. But behind the scenes, some companies are still innovating 3D concepts. If these technologies can overcome past challenges, consumer interest in 3D may eventually resurge. But don‘t expect affordable glasses-free 3D TVs hitting store shelves anytime in the next couple years. For now, 3D remains a niche in the TV market.Once touted as the future of television, 3D TVs saw a rapid boom and bust in popularity in the early 2010s. While 3D technology still has niche followers today, it failed to catch on for mainstream home viewing. Could ongoing 3D movie releases, combined with promising new display technologies, eventually revive consumer appetite for 3D TVs? Let‘s explore the history, decline and future potential of this short-lived tech trend.
The explosive rise of 3D TV
The era of 3D TVs hitting the consumer market began in 2010, as major manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, LG and Panasonic unveiled 3D-capable TVs using active shutter technology that required wearing specialized glasses. Offering cinema-like stereoscopic images in the home theater, 3D TVs quickly built up hype among early adopters and reviewers. In fact, by the end of 2010, an estimated 2.2 million 3D TVs had already been sold globally. [1]
Consumer enthusiasm for the extra depth and immersion sparked a flood of 3D content to fuel this new market. In 2010 alone:
– 15+ major Hollywood movies saw 3D theatrical releases, including Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, How to Train Your Dragon. [2]
– 25% of Blu-ray disc sales were 3D titles like Avatar, Despicable Me, Legend of the Guardians. [3]
– ESPN launched a dedicated 3D channel for live sports, joined by other 3D broadcast trials. [4]
– Sony and Panasonic both released 3D-capable Blu-ray players to complement 3D TVs. [5]
– The PS3 gained 3D gaming capabilities with a firmware update. [6]
By 2011, more than 50 manufacturers had released active shutter 3D TVs. [7] As prices for 40" to 50" 3D TVs dropped under $1000, many predicted 3D would become the next big thing in home entertainment. [8]
The rapid decline of 3D TV
Despite the early optimism, the 3D TV boom was short-lived. By 2013, consumer enthusiasm had already begun waning significantly. Sales of 3D TVs declined from 1.1 million units in Q1 2012 down to just 575,000 units in Q1 2013, a 48% year-over-year drop. [9] By 2015, the declining demand was evident as 3D capability disappeared entirely from most major manufacturers‘ TV lineups.
There were a few key factors behind this rapid decline:
– Uncomfortable active shutter glasses – For many viewers, wearing heavy, electrically-powered glasses to watch TV at home was simply unacceptable, especially for longer viewing periods. [10]
– Limited 3D content – Interest in producing 3D movies and broadcasts dried up with weak consumer demand. Sports networks like ESPN cancelled 3D channels in 2013. [11]
– Narrow 3D viewing angles – LCD screens used on most 3D TVs had a very limited "sweet spot" for 3D viewing, forcing viewers to sit centered or lose the effect. [12]
– Extra costs – The added expense of glasses, 3D Blu-ray players and 3D movie discs became hard to justify as enthusiasm wore off. Manufacturers faced a glut of unsold 3D inventory. [13]
By 2016, the last 3D TV models had been discontinued by LG and Samsung. 3D TV had proven to be a short-lived fad rather than the future of television.
Who still makes new 3D TVs?
While all major manufacturers have abandoned 3D TV production, a few smaller companies continue to cater to the 3D niche:
– Tridelity – Focused on glasses-free lenticular 3D TVs. [14]
– Vizio – Still offers a few high-end 3D TV models in its P and PX series. [15]
– SeeCubic – Small company offering light, affordable 3D TVs. [16]
– LG CINEBEAM – 3D projectors from LG‘s business/theater arm, but no consumer 3D TVs. [17]
However, these brands represent only a tiny fraction of overall TV sales. Major manufacturers show no signs of planning a 3D return, with 4K, 8K and OLED TVs now dominating R&D and marketing efforts.
Can you still buy a 3D TV in 2022?
While essentially defunct as a current TV technology, there are still limited options to purchase a 3D TV today:
– Used/refurbished – Specialty A/V sites like Visual Apex Direct occasionally offer refurbished models, albeit at inflated prices due to scarcity. [18]
– eBay – You may get lucky finding new old stock or gently used models, often plasma TVs prized for 3D. Be prepared to pay premium prices.
– Latest Vizio models – A rare exception, Vizio still sells a few new 3D-capable TVs, like the 65" P-Series Quantum X ($1599). [19]
But buying an older 3D TV today has significant downsides, like outdated smart features, lack of 4K or HDR, and scarce replacement parts. Used models also come without any warranty coverage.
Do 3D movies still get released?
While 3D TVs have disappeared, some films do continue to be created with 3D in mind for theatrical showings. Recent and upcoming examples of movies released in 3D theaters include:
– Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
– Thor: Love and Thunder
– Jurassic World: Dominion
– Avatar: The Way of Water
– Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Among these, animated family films tend to be the most likely to receive a 3D version. Some live-action blockbusters also get a 3D release, especially action/fantasy franchises with many visual effects.
However, data shows that the percentage of US box office revenue from 3D showings has declined every year since peaking at 25% in 2010. [20] By 2021, only 7% of domestic box office revenue came from 3D screenings, down from a peak of 25% a decade ago. [21]
Can you watch 3D content at home?
While limited, there are a still a few ways to enjoy 3D entertainment at home with the right gear:
– 3D Blu-ray discs – Movies like Doctor Strange and Avatar offer a 3D Blu-ray version for playback on a 3D TV and compatible 3D Blu-ray player.
– 3D games – Many PS3 games like Gran Turismo 5 and Super Stardust support stereoscopic 3D on a compatible display.
– VR headsets – Modern virtual reality headsets effectively provide portable big-screen 3D viewing for simulated environments and 360° videos.
– 3D projectors – Home theater enthusiasts use 3D-capable projectors to display far larger 3D images than any TV.
But without a compatible 3D TV or projector, options to enjoy 3D content at home are very limited in 2022 apart from VR headsets.
Could 3D TV come back in the future?
While 3D capability remains a distant afterthought for major TV brands focused on 4K and 8K, some promising technologies make a 3D comeback plausible down the road:
– Glasses-free 3D TVs – Autostereoscopic displays using lenticular lenses or parallax barriers allow 3D viewing without glasses. Prototypes exist but production challenges remain. [22]
– OLED and mini-LED TVs – With wide viewing angles and vivid contrast, these display technologies offer superior 3D performance compared to older LCDs. [23]
– Light field displays – An emerging tech like Looking Glass Factory, light field displays project 3D holographic images that can be viewed without glasses or headsets. [24]
– VR/AR headsets – 3D virtual and augmented reality devices keep improving. Comfortable glasses-free headsets could make home 3D more appealing.
If these technologies can solve past challenges like glasses flicker and narrow viewing angles, 3D may eventually regain appeal. But until any tech can deliver easy, comfortable 3D for the masses, TV makers are unlikely to revive it in their roadmaps. Continued niche interest will probably keep 3D simmering, awaiting its next revolution.
