Requirements For 3D TV

Interested in watching 3D TV but not sure what you need, here are the requirements for 3D TV. At the highest level, you will need a 3D TV, 3D TV glasses and something to play the programming on such as a 3D Blu Ray player or 3D set top box. Below we will look at each in more detail.

Note, this page focuses exclusively on the requirements for 3D TV; if you are interested in learning more about 3D TV the links below may be of interested to you.

What is 3D TV

Disadvantages of 3D TV

How Does 3D TV Work

Is My TV 3D Compatible

OK, on with the requirements for 3D TV.

3D TVs
You will need a TV that is capable of displaying 3D programming. Many manufactures now offer 3D TVs and some, such as Mitsubishi, have been offering 3D ready TVs for years. Note that with the Mitsubishi 3D ready TVs you will need a starter pack, see Mitsubishi 3D TVs for a list of model numbers that fall into this category and details on where to obtain a starter pack.

Many people are interested in converting their existing 2D TV to show 3D programming. There are 2D to 3D converters that claim to convert TV to 3D however the image will not be the same as a true 3D TV. Generally the image will lack depth and be of a lower picture quality. To experience 3D the way it was designed to be seen you will need a true 3D TV.

3D TV Glasses
To actually watch the 3D programming on your 3D TV, you will need 3D TV glasses. Otherwise the image will appear blurry. The glasses used for today's TV are called active shutter glasses and are different than the glasses used in movie theaters. The glasses are not necessarily interchangeable, therefore you will want the 3D glasses to be of the same brand as your 3D TV. To answer a few common questions. They are designed to be worn over your prescription glasses and at this time it is not possible to watch 3D TV with out glasses.

3D TV Programming
OK, you have the 3D TV and the glasses now what about 3D programming? This is one of the areas that is holding 3D back. Programming is on the way, but there is not an abundance available. Here are some options.

One option is to get a 3D TV Blu Ray player, note that it needs to be a 3D Blu Ray player. Generally a regular Blu Ray player will not display 3D programming. There are a few exceptions, one being if you use the Sony Playstation as your Blu Ray player, there is a update available that will allow the Playstation to play 3D Blu Ray discs.

Another option is a 3D TV set top box. There are three 3D channels being offered by DirectTV, the idea is that these channels will only show 3D programming. Therefore you will have a constant selection of 3D programming available for viewing. Although three channels is far from the 100 channels that many of us are used to flipping through.

One last option is a 3D device that converts standard 2D programming to 3D programming. Some of the Samsung 3D TVs have this feature and the Sony Playstation will convert games into 3D. However keep in mind that the programming was originally 2D therefore it was not designed to be watched as 3D and the experience will be odd at some times depending how the device converts the programming. For example what happens if words appear on the screen, will they suddenly come flying out at you?

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