3D TVs: Awesome, but expensive!

3D TVs are increasingly popular in the Vietnamese market, but high prices and usage difficulties are barriers preventing the majority of consumers from accessing this device.

3D is not a new technology in Vietnam, but after the resounding success of 3D movies in theaters, manufacturers of home entertainment equipment rushed into producing 3D TVs, which sold quite well.

Expensive

In supermarkets, it's easy to find many LCD TVs advertised as 3D compatible due to their refresh rates exceeding 120 Hz. However, models that truly support 3D with dedicated chips must meet criteria such as having two operating modes (2D and 3D) allowing for flexible switching between them based on the corresponding input signal, and an HDMI 1.4 connection for 3D signal transmission.

Some notable models include the Samsung LA46C750 (46 inches) with a 200 Hz refresh rate, priced at an average of around 30 million VND. A 55-inch model would cost up to 46 million VND. Other 200 Hz refresh rate TVs compatible with 3D technology, such as the LG 47LD920, Sony Bravia KDL-40HX803, LG 72LEX9-CA (400 Hz refresh rate), and Samsung UN55C7000 LED (240 Hz), are also quite expensive.

However, in reality, to experience 3D, users need a complete set of equipment, including: a 3D-compatible TV (ideally larger than 40 inches and with Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution); 3D glasses; a Blu-ray player that supports 3D or other 3D content sources... Therefore, it will cost quite a bit of money, so users need to be mindful of their budget.

Currently, some manufacturers have launched glasses-free 3D TV models, such as TCL's TD-42F, but the price is prohibitively high – tens of thousands of dollars. Recently, Panasonic also introduced a massive 152-inch 3D TV priced at... $576,000! This is a "super TV," unaffordable for most people.

Warning

An optimistic future

Manufacturers of home entertainment equipment are very optimistic about the future of 3D televisions. Many companies predict that within the next five years, this type of TV will account for approximately 40% of the market share. Similar to HDTVs, the number of TVs with built-in 3D features is increasing. According to DisplaySearch's predictions, the number of 3D TVs sold will increase from approximately 200,000 units in 2009 to 64 million units in 2018. This shows that 3D technology is integrating into the home entertainment environment. The only remaining question is when users will be able to comfortably enjoy 3D content without the current concerns.

3D TVs offer a very impressive experience for users. However, to enjoy 3D, besides the cost, users need to consider the following issues:

- The inconvenience of 3D glasses: Every time viewers watch 3D content, they have to wear 3D glasses, which is very inconvenient. Usually, when buying a 3D TV, buyers are given a pair of glasses. However, for large families, they have to buy many pairs, costing around several hundred USD per pair (for good quality ones).

- Screen size can be disappointing: Even with epic movies, watching on a 3D home TV (over 60 inches) won't be as satisfying as watching on a 3D screen in a movie theater. Meanwhile, most consumers prefer 32-40 inch TVs because they fit their living space and budget. Therefore, investing in a 3D TV may not yield the desired results.

- Limited 3D content supply: Finding sources of 3D content is not easy. The easiest way to enjoy 3D technology is to... play 3D games on a computer and output it to a 3D TV! Watching 3D movies on newly purchased hardware is another matter entirely. Currently, finding 3D Blu-ray movies in Vietnam is very difficult. HD enthusiasts mainly obtain 3D content through internet downloads, but most of it is not licensed.

One approach to accessing 3D movies is through streaming from foreign online services. However, given the current state of internet connectivity and e-commerce in Vietnam, this method is difficult to implement.

- Health effects: In fact, many users have experienced dizziness, headaches, or impaired vision when watching 3D content, especially for extended periods. Most 3D glasses are primarily for displaying content and do not have any positive effects on the user's eyes.

Therefore, try experiencing it beforehand by buying tickets to a 3D movie theater or browsing around 3D product display booths. Additionally, be aware of the potential impact of 3D content on children in the family to prevent any unfortunate consequences.

According to Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tivi-3d-da-ma-ton-185162544.htm