It seems that every time I turn and look at Google News, there’s all this hype about bringing 3D TVs to the living room.  I’m here to suggest that the hype is over-rated and 3D TVs will fail to find it’s place into the living room.

For my reasoning, I’m not going to list content or programming because there will be an increase in the amount of 3D programming created even though there is not a lot out there now. Also, I’m going to exclude price and product availability because the cost of electronics always drops, eventually, 3D TV’s will be available to the entire public.

1.  Nobody wants to wear glasses to watch TV.

The average person watches about 8 hours of TV a week, some more, some less.  For people who don’t wear glasses, it’s annoying and it puts pressure on the upper part of your nose. I watched Avatar (2 hours 48 minutes) in 3D at the IMAX. I caught myself adjusting my IMAX glasses and rubbing my eyes at least 4 or 5 times during the movie. For those people who wear glasses, are you going to have wear the 3D glasses over your glasses?  A rather simple but annoying problem.

2. Your TV-watching habits are different from movie-watching habits.

When you go to see a 3D movie in theaters, your attention is completely on the movie and nothing else. But if you’re in your living room, you might be on the computer, making a milkshake in the kitchen, running on the treadmill, or getting up to use the bathroom.  You’ll have to take your glasses off to do other things when your around in your living room.

3. Watching TV is a group experience.

Family, friends, parties, movie parties, anything that is involved with a group of people…everyone will have to have glasses. That means that you’ll have to provide glasses for everyone if they’re over at your place.

4. 3D doesn’t add to the content that you’re watching.

For a movie, it’s all about story. For sports, it’s all about watching your team dominate the game. 3D doesn’t add another element of storytelling to the show you’re watching.  Sound added a depth to story telling with the Talkies. Color added spectacle, warm and cool colors, An icy planet is blue, hot desert is warm red.  HD added clarity, the ability to see every detail in every shot, to notice that graffiti on the firehouse in Ghostbusters. With the slight exception of an arrow flying out at your or a spear directly in your face, 3D doesn’t add anything.

Basically, 3D TVs won’t work in your living room now because you’ll have to wear glasses, which is inconvenient and we all want our TV watching experience to be convenient.  3D TV will make it’s mark when the TV itself has the technology to display 3D like in the movies. Hopefully without the resources of the empire, we can develop a 3D TV that looks a little better than a mini gray statue. Until then, stick with your HD TV, your nose will thank you.

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