Imagine sitting in the comfort of your own home, watching a brand new action-packed movie. Suddenly, the movie erupts from the TV and comes to life, explosions bursting out of the screen and casting a fiery red-orange glow around the entire room.
What was once only possible on the big screen will soon be available for home entertainment. As the world of television makes the swap to an all-digital market place come Feb. 17, manufacturers have wasted no time in coming up with the newest great breakthrough- 3-D televisions.
In recent years, the high-definition TV (HDTV) market has exploded. LCD and plasma TVs are readily available in almost all electronic stores throughout the U.S., leaving people to wonder how they could possibly get better.
New technologies are making the prospect of bringing home the 3-D experience a reality. Although the TVs are not yet available for consumer purchase, several manufacturers have concept designs.
Top manufacturers like Sony, Phillips and Sharp are developing 3-D TVs, yet it is unclear whether the silly plastic glasses are needed to actually see the effects. Considering the products are still under development, no price tags or detailed specifications have been identified.
The televisions will boast both 1080p high definition and the ability to transform movies and video games into 3-D, bringing the action out of the TV and right to the viewer. The technology not only benefits movie buffs and gaming addicts, but provides a new direction for professional presentations as well.
Computer monitors in 3-D could provide businesses, the medical field and other professionals with an innovative method of presenting charts, graphs and other models. The high definition explosion has already revolutionized industries, and with the added uniqueness of three dimensions, possibilities seem endless.
Hollywood is no stranger to 3-D and has several releases coming in 2009. My Bloody Valentine is first on the list and Disney-Pixar is re-releasing Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and Beauty and the Beast in 3-D.
In coming years, 3-D will likely be a popular format for new movies, but movie ticket prices will probably jump with the new technology.
Another issue with 3-D movies is that not every theater is set for showing the movies, which limits where they can be viewed around the country. In coming years, theaters are expected to upgrade to become compatible with 3-D releases.
For the video game industry, products will be brought to a whole new level with the technology of 3-D.
The video game market has advanced significantly in recent years; the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 already offer full high-definition for most games. The next generation of systems is sure to bring games off the screen and directly into the face of gamers.
The future of televisions appears to be promising and revolutionary. The release of high definition three-dimensional televisions will set a new standard for quality when viewing movies, playing video games and providing presentations.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
