3D still a gimmick?

chroniclard

chroniclard

chroniclard

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Looking at two TV's

Samsung UE48JU6400 LED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, 48" with Freeview HD and Built-In Wi-Fi

vs

Samsung UE48JU7000 LED 4K Ultra HD 3D Smart TV, 48" with Freeview HD/freesat HD and Built-in Wi-Fi

From what I can see the only difference is one has 3D and Freesat(wont use the Freesat) and possibly some audio extras, 1049 vs 1399.

I am a little dubious as to the worth of 3D.

Any thoughts? Do you use yours much?
 
Done well it's very effective. The problem is that it hasn't been done well in a great many films, and while the novelty of the feature had some appeal there's very few people interested in 3D beyond that. As a feature 'thrown in' with a decent TV spec, then sure, why not. But paying 25%+ extra..... you're braver than I.

The £350 would be far better invested in getting the TV calibrated, and you'd still have the better part of £100 left over for some new films.
 
Well I'm not sure about 3D, after buying a Sony w905 last year, I started off using 3D a fair bit renting films in 3D buying a few as well but for well over 6 months I have not used 3D at all, I guess I'm just not bothered about it.
There is no doubt about it that 3D has worn off for a lot of people, I'm not sure its a gimmick as such but I suppose its just not a feature everyone is really that bothered about either?
 
Agreed with lucid, theres an occasional scene that looks amazing but directors are idiots. Trying to push the 3d, rather than just keeping it looking natural. Also 3d that comes out of the screen looks horrible. Where 3d that goes into the screen looks far better.

So I wouldn't say it's a gimmick, but until directors stop being idiots it's pointless.
I am hopping David Attenboroughs new series at the end of the year changes this. It's a 3d series on the great barrier reef.
 
I wouldn't call it a gimmick but more of an add on that you occasionally use.

For example I don't use the radio much in my car as I have bluetooth and stream spotify from my phone but there may be the odd occasion where I go "let's listen to the radio for a change".

it's the same with 3D, I watch 99% of my content in 2D, I do however like the occasional 3D movie. It's not a gimmick you just cannot expect to use it 24/7. It has a time and a place and it's usually when your going to watch a stunning 3D movie. Sports in 3D however are a total gimmick forget football in 3D it just doesn't work.
 
I have only ever seen kids flicks in 3D and felt it added nothing to the experience at all.

Perhaps I should go try an adult film but so far I am leaning towards not bothering with it and spending that cash on some other shiny item. :)
 
chroniclard said:
I have only ever seen kids flicks in 3D and felt it added nothing to the experience at all.

Perhaps I should go try an adult film but so far I am leaning towards not bothering with it and spending that cash on some other shiny item. :)
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Be careful with that. Last thing you want to do is watch a 3D 'adult' film and have a mans members prodding towards your face!
 
Titanic 3D blu Ray is a shining example of how great 3-D can be if used effectively. James Cameron is a 3D master.

Sky 3D is atrocious compared to Blu-ray.
 
I use 3d for decent movies like avatar etc, I wouldn't get a TV without 3d just like you wouldn't buy a tv that's not a smart tv now a days, nor would you buy one without freeview HD built in!

P.S my 399 50" LG plasma is fantastic! best telly iv ever owned.

for 650 quid you could have this 60" plasma built in wifi, freesat hd free view hd 3d the lot

http://markselectrical.co.uk/60PB660V_LG-Plasma-Television.html


Oh and 3d glasses only cost 12 quid a pair for these tvs and are active glasses, absolutely amazing. so much better than my old Panasonic plasma by Miles

I went for the 50" for the price cause I had a 42" before, the 50" made it look like a dwarf, but now I wish id of got the 60" I didn't realise how good this tv was going to be!
 
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IceShock said:
I use 3d for decent movies like avatar etc, I wouldn't get a TV without 3d just like you wouldn't buy a tv that's not a smart tv now a days, nor would you buy one without freeview HD built in!
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I would happily buy a non-smart, no-tuner, non-3D TV if they were available cheaper than ones with all the cruft added on.
 
robfosters said:
Titanic 3D blu Ray is a shining example of how great 3-D can be if used effectively. James Cameron is a 3D master.
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He is an industry leader, certainly, especially in retro-fitting 3-D to films. That was good work, I have to say.

But even during Avatar he ignored some of the basic fundamentals that have been around since the 1950s... I was quite annoyed by those stupid mistakes, as he was doing quite well up to that point!

I'm a big fan of 3D, as I'm sure you can tell, but only when it's done properly. Knowing how it should be done and the tricks that make it work well just means I can spot when it's done badly... The Hobbit was another one that stuffed it up.

3D should never have been a gimmick. It's a background enhancement, just like Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound or whatever we're using today. It should not be that noticable and appear as natural as the average visual range permits.
 
I avoid watching 3D films in the cinema these days, they are just a pain in the backside, only Avatar impressed. Not sure I would use 3D feature on a TV, I even switches off the 3D in my 3DS.
 
mid_gen said:
I would happily buy a non-smart, no-tuner, non-3D TV if they were available cheaper than ones with all the cruft added on.
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I have to say that smart features are an incredible boon for me. I have netflix and spotify so being able to do all that through the TV upstairs and down is pretty handy, as well as streaming media without any additional boxes etc.

3D, well I could take it or leave it, but I have quite enjoyed playing Trine 2 and Elite dangerous in 4k 3D on my 49in screen. It does lend a weird resolution though for desktop use since there is a bit of offset sideways to allow for the separation, so you can never find a good desktop background for your HTPC without two small vertical black bars or distortion
 
chroniclard said:
Think I would rather have 4k than 3D. 60" is way too large for the area too :)
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I'd say that's the smart move. While 4k isn't going to be for everyone i'd say it's definitely where things are moving in the future. Better to have a higher res screen when bluray will all end up all being at that res than a lower res 3d screen when there are still, after all these years, very few movies worth watching in 3d.
 
Buying 4K makes zero sense atm unless your 4K gaming on a PC.

TV technology moves very fast. Prices drop dramatically and enhancements are made every year.

Paying the extra grand or two for a decent 4K is pointless when it does come of use you will want to upgrade to a decent 4K panel which could be had in the future for a lot cheaper.

The tv to buy right now is probably that LG Plasma 60" for £650. IMO you would have to be an idiot to pass that up and buy a 60" 4K LCD for what £3000? With it's slow refresh rate, motion issues and poorer blacks you would have an inferior tv albeit with a higher res.

Best to spend £650 now and then spend another £1000 in 3-8 years time when a 4K tv will be worthwhile.

How many 4K channels are there? How many 4K Blu Rays or even players are there and what are there prices?
 
chroniclard said:
I am not spending 3 grand or looking for a 60" TV though. :)

My budget is 1 to 1.5k and I need something around 48-50"
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then for 50" 399 quid plasma :) Its friggin fantastic, the image quality is superb, it took about 50 hours to get up to its potential image quality, and it actually beats my old Panasonic plasma.

4k is useless, no 4k content etc and the image qualitys only just on the same level as a 1080 plasma for what 5x the price.

so unless your watching 4k content on a 4k tv, the image quality wont be nearly as good as the 1080 plasma watching regular SD or HD content.

also for a plasma, its slim, looks great and isn't that heavy, and the speakers/sound is fantastic, its the best tv Iv ever owned, I wish id of gone for the 60" its that good.

and all the smart tv apps etc is fantastic.
 
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