Of course, to make all that happen, it’ll also take the gear to view it. We’ve seen what faux-3D looks like over the years, even recently with Universal’s Blu-ray of Henry Selick’s animated picture Coraline.  Thankfully, the Blu-ray also contained an impeccable rendering of the film in its flat variety, because the green-and-purple analglyph 3D was atrociously handled there.  That’s because a simple disc and flimsy glasses aren’t the components needed.  It comes down to pairing up a capable television – almost guaranteed to be a 120hz panel – with a capable Blu-ray player or broadcast channel.  Along with the Playstation 3’s updated status, Samsung and other companies will be throwing out 3D-capable Blu-ray decks over the next year.  And, while it’s quite a ways away and will likely incur a form of premium, the likes of Discovery and ESPN are reportedly going to be launching 3D versions of their channels in the near future. To make it all work, however, will require a healthy investment in a new panel and deck.

Yes, that hurts.  But it’s worth considering since upgrading your equipment to these 3D-capable devices also drags along up-to-date technology with the home theater revamp.  Samsung’s 55” LED might tout 3D as its primary draw, but it’s also an ultra-thin (1.1”) panel that sports a 6,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 240hz motion technology for those interested (which, those who read my articles and reviews regularly already know, it’s not my cup of tea outside of the enhancement offered to Blu-ray’s 24fps movement), and the ability to access Netflix/Blockbuster’s streaming services directly from the panel. 

Similar earmarks also come with Blu-ray players with 3D capacity.  So it’s not as if the money tossed at a new set, sitting at a healthy $3,300 bucks, will go directly to feeding the Avatar-infused machine barreling through modern media.  It will, however, give you the option to either indulge in that experience at home again – or bypass the theater and its escalated ticket prices in the first place.  

Reminding you about the added earmarks on the 3D tech’s devices isn’t an attempt to “sell” the technology, by any stretch.  Quite the contrary, actually, because those things should be kept in mind as remnants if, or when, this full-throttled gimmick begins to lose steam -- which, just as it has in past spats, will likely fritter away with time.   But, as mentioned several times already, there’s more to see in the technology than just the experience in grabbing a tub of popcorn, flopping on the couch, and watching bullets or a giant shark come within close proximity. 

The added fire underneath the tech’s feet lies in following right behind a skirmish barreling down the gridiron during an NFL playoff game, or hiding behind a crumbled wall amid a battlefield with a controller mocking an AK-47.  It’s in how 3D will become a part of pseudo-everyday life.  Along with an artistic movement spurned by James Cameron’s trip through Pandora, one that’s passed to other regaled directors, 3D might be around to stay due to this added high-profile interest in the medium.

Throwing on those polarized glasses, however durable or stylish they get, will surely grow old sooner or later. 

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Allen Hauss  - author "South Jersey Movie Houses"   |2010-05-07 05:28:01 Tom... just a few thoughts on the sustainability of 3-D in the "long run!" I lived through the Hollywood/Polaroid 3-D run of the fifties... the system was quite good...utilizing two synced projectors gave adequate screen light, and the glasses were polaroid type... NOT red/green as is so often quoted for the period. However, the lack of quality and quantity of titles to watch was seriuouly lacking. HONDO, KISS ME KATE, DIAL M FOR MURDER, HOUSE OF WAX, and perhaps a few others... the novelty wore out, and I believe history will repeat itself here. AVATAR was a unique event... especially if seen in dual 70mm IMAX... not the "video" projection people are starting to accept. Digital/Video systems barely (except SONT 4K)put out enough light on a flat (2D) movie, and when you watch 3-D each eye receives only half the projectors output. (actually less when you factor in the glasses!) All the animation stuff looks the same, and wide vistas of golf will be like watching the plains of middle America. Yes 3-D does have a place, but only for "special" events! allen 1   0

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