Which is the better 3D tech? Active/Passive?

Raymond Lin · 27 Jan 2013 at 01:55

Was thinking about taking a plunge on the same TV that Phate has then I spotted the 3D glasses thing and notice that they are Active.

Not knowing what it is so I went off to Google. Apart from them costing more to produce and buy, they don't seem to be comfortable for a speccy wearer like me. Whereas I can get some clip on ones for my normal everyday glasses for the cinema (or just take off apart the ones from the cinema and make my own).

So what do you guys think of the 2 "format"? and what do you prefer?

Raymond Lin · 27 Jan 2013 at 01:56

2nd point

So it got me thinking as I think the passive route actually has its merits if i were to get a TV with 3D. (even though it is a fad) And that 50" Panasonic is just good value!

From searching on JL and what TVs that are

50", Smart, 3D, Passive.

The choices are rather limited! even Samsung don't make one. The choices seems to be a cheaper LG 47LM620T (47") at £699 or Panasonic Viera TX-P50VT30 at £1049.

Side note - does all Smart TV have Love Film?

HEADRAT · 27 Jan 2013 at 08:21

I have a 3D TV and I think I've watched 3D stuff on it about twice

Maybe having passive glasses would be better as sods law always means active glasses are flat whenever you want to use them (infrequently). Like you I wear glasses and I do thing that again "passive" would have been a better option for me.

Not sure about the "tech" but from a usability point of view if I was buying again it would be "passive".

Thanks

Broken Hope · 27 Jan 2013 at 08:51

They both have their pros and cons, active sets show the full 1080P to each eye where's passive sets show each eye 540P and your brain puts it together.

Some people see flicker with active systems though.

To answer your last question, Panasonic sets don't have Love Film.

Secret_Window · 27 Jan 2013 at 09:39

The only way to really know which you prefer regarding the passive vs active 3d argument, is to try it. Generally passive 3d is considered easier on the eyes but it is half the resolution of active 3d.

While LG is a good buy, particularly for passive 3d and smart TV functions, I personally found the 2D picture not anywhere in the same league as a Panasonic plasma or a Samsung Smart TV LED (7000-8000 series).

I compared the LG, Samsung and Panasonic (LED TV version) in this thread here which you may/not find useful.

NotAGolf · 27 Jan 2013 at 12:11

I bought a passive set (Panasonic TX-47LET5B) as after testing out a few sets in store they felt a lot more comfortable. I didn't notice the flicker on the active glasses, but it just didn't feel as 'natural'.

Also, a couple of the active sets I was looking at didn't come with glasses included, which added £100+ onto the price tag. I'm sure I could've found them cheaper elsewhere, but the official glasses cost a fair whack.

As for the passive not being true 1080p, both myself and my gf have been thoroughly impressed with the picture quality on 3D. I thought the quality would suffer for the sake of some gimmicky 3D effect, but in the few movies we've seen so far it actually makes the image look even better as it's more realistic.

I'm not sure about other sets, but as Broken Hope has said, my Panasonic doesn't have the Lovefilm app on it, but it does have Netflix. Haven't used it though as I use Lovefilm on my Sony Blu Ray player.

Raymond Lin · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:47

Broken Hope said:
They both have their pros and cons, active sets show the full 1080P to each eye where's passive sets show each eye 540P and your brain puts it together.

Some people see flicker with active systems though.

To answer your last question, Panasonic sets don't have Love Film.

As someone who doesn't wear contacts and need love film in a TV...Panasonic is a no go. Unless I get the £1k VT screen and buy a new BR player.

Or get a LG.

Hmmmmmmm

Broken Hope · 27 Jan 2013 at 14:33

Richer Sounds have the 55" ST50 at £999 at the moment I think.

Which is a bargain and then get Love Film elsewhere.

Raymond Lin · 27 Jan 2013 at 14:55

55" would be too large I think. This is a 40" on my TV stand.

Plus that Panasonic is in store customer only and I drive a Yaris ! The nearest Richard Sound is 60 miles away through country lanes, motorway and speed bumps.

insane200 · 27 Jan 2013 at 15:20

When 3D was first available Active was the best route for great 3D, Passive has caught up massively though, LG has done a great job, so much so Panasonic are using there screens in the ET5 range and will be using them in the whole 2013 range of LEDs and using passive not active.

Ive just ordered a LG47lm620 to replace my 42G10 as ive been really impresses by it, and find it very hard to see any difference between both 3D types now.

I look every day using the same content and prefer the light weight passive glasses and the ease of 3D on the eyes. No flickering due to ambient light in the room, and you dont need to charge them, plus the cost.

Skynet-T800 · 27 Jan 2013 at 21:40

I've got the What HiFi 2012 winner SONYBRAVIA KDL46HX853 Active 3D and although I didn't buy it for 3D, it's incredible - Bright and sharp 3D images.

At first there was a slight strain on the eye that active gives you but if its a quality film then It's great.

Recenly watched the new Dredd film, TT3D closer to the egde, spiderman & avatar and all four of them offer different 3D experiences.

I do like it but only as a treat!

Phate · 28 Jan 2013 at 08:17

Raymond Lin said:
As someone who doesn't wear contacts and need love film in a TV...Panasonic is a no go.

You could always get yourself a media pc for peanuts and stream it?

Genuinely surprised that the lack of one app in SMART would decide if you get a TV or not. Surely the PQ takes priority here?

Jono8 · 28 Jan 2013 at 08:27

I just bought a Samsung active 3D set (46ES6710) and the 3d is stunning. no crosstalk, razor sharp 3d images. It does give me a slight headache i think but im sure i will get used to it. I got headaches the first few times i watched 3d films at the cinema so my eyes will probably adjust.

I don't see why people get hung up about glasses cost as well. They are peanuts now. I picked up two extra Samsung 3d glasses with Megamind on 3d blu ray for £29. the blu ray is £10 everywhere making them £9.50 each

I can definitely see the difference in quality/resolution. Passive 3D is good but you can definitely tell the resolution has been halved.

Russinating · 28 Jan 2013 at 17:04

I've got the Samsung E6500 which is an active 3D set and love it. Similar to the above poster the quality is excellent and the 3D is brilliant.

It does take 5-10 minutes to get used to the glasses in terms of how you see things but you soon get used to it as well as forgetting that you're even wearing glasses.

We watch 3D films all the time and it makes it more of an experience, like going to the cinema, rather than just sticking a film on. Have watched Avatar, Brave and Mr Stink but have a fair few to watch still: The Avengers, Prometheus, Finding Nemo and Dredd.

It bought it because it's a good set, not because it had 3D, but I'm really glad it does now.

Raymond Lin · 28 Jan 2013 at 17:19

Jono8 said:
I just bought a Samsung active 3D set (46ES6710) and the 3d is stunning. no crosstalk, razor sharp 3d images. It does give me a slight headache i think but im sure i will get used to it. I got headaches the first few times i watched 3d films at the cinema so my eyes will probably adjust.

I don't see why people get hung up about glasses cost as well. They are peanuts now. I picked up two extra Samsung 3d glasses with Megamind on 3d blu ray for £29. the blu ray is £10 everywhere making them £9.50 each

I can definitely see the difference in quality/resolution. Passive 3D is good but you can definitely tell the resolution has been halved.

Russinating said:
I've got the Samsung E6500 which is an active 3D set and love it. Similar to the above poster the quality is excellent and the 3D is brilliant.

It does take 5-10 minutes to get used to the glasses in terms of how you see things but you soon get used to it as well as forgetting that you're even wearing glasses.

We watch 3D films all the time and it makes it more of an experience, like going to the cinema, rather than just sticking a film on. Have watched Avatar, Brave and Mr Stink but have a fair few to watch still: The Avengers, Prometheus, Finding Nemo and Dredd.

It bought it because it's a good set, not because it had 3D, but I'm really glad it does now.

Do you both wear glasses though?

If you do, can you wear your glasses and the active 3D on top?

Sure, the active part shouldn't be the only criteria but since I have a choice, my thinking is that it would be wise to put money towards something I can use rather than I cannot, even if I only use it occasionally.

Jono8 · 28 Jan 2013 at 18:36

Raymond Lin said:
Do you both wear glasses though?

If you do, can you wear your glasses and the active 3D on top?

Sure, the active part shouldn't be the only criteria but since I have a choice, my thinking is that it would be wise to put money towards something I can use rather than I cannot, even if I only use it occasionally.

Oh i apologise, i didnt read your entire post including the bit about you wearing glasses. In that case, passive my be a much better and more comfortable option if you can get simple clip on lenses.

My gf cant really watch the 3D with her glasses on ( not a problem really though as she wears contacts 95% of the time)

Secret_Window · 28 Jan 2013 at 18:54

I wear glasses and have never had a problem with any of the 3D glasses (active and passive). All the crazy stories about them being uncomfortable and heavy to wear, I've found to be completely not true (for me at least).

Raymond Lin · 28 Jan 2013 at 22:08

Secret_Window said:
I wear glasses and have never had a problem with any of the 3D glasses (active and passive). All the crazy stories about them being uncomfortable and heavy to wear, I've found to be completely not true (for me at least).

I don't have a tall nose so in the cinema the Real3D glasses are resting on my actual pair of glasses. Once there I keep as still as I can.

An active pair of 3D glasses probably won't work and with the passive ones you can get clip ons for £4 too.

Secret_Window · 28 Jan 2013 at 22:20

Raymond Lin said:
I don't have a tall nose so in the cinema the Real3D glasses are resting on my actual pair of glasses. Once there I keep as still as I can.

An active pair of 3D glasses probably won't work and with the passive ones you can get clip ons for £4 too.

You can get active ones that look like this from Samsung:

http://www.samsung.com/uk/3d/3D-05-08.html

They go round your head and rest over your glasses rather than sit directly on your glasses.

quotidian · 28 Jan 2013 at 22:29

We've got a 3d TV with active glasses and I need to wear my own prescription glasses to see the 3D effect (I'm incredibly short sighted in one eye).

The active glasses I found annoyed me no more than my glasses normally would, infact on the sony pair there's like a wee lip inside the active glasses that lets them sit ontop of your ordinary frames so you don't have 2 glasses on your nose.