Third Magazine

HDMI 1.3 Supports 3D – You may currently be 3D ready

Posted on 05. Jan, 2010 by The James in Blu-ray, Glasses

High-Def Digest released some interesting news regarding HDMI 1.3.  Apparently it will be capable of supporting 3D.  What this means for the average consumer is that your overpriced HDMI cables won’t need to be replaced.  The only catch is that HDMI 1.3 can only handle dual 1080i images, you’ll need an upgrade for dual 1080p images.  But the quality loss for most consumer devices won’t be noticeable.  The other nice piece of info is that any BD-Live blu-ray device with the ability to connect to the internet will be capable of receiving a firmware update allowing for 3D viewing.  It looks like viewing 3D at home is going to be pretty easy and won’t require the enormous costs that a lot of idiotic articles have been reporting.  Business Week is claiming that it will cost over $4,000 to get set up with the 3D.  This may be true if you do not currently own a television or any peripherals (including a stereo, honestly, it is mentioned in the article as part of the cost).  But that would be the same cost to get into HD if you had no current electronics.  The reality is that 3D for consumers who are fairly up to date with technology will be a simple conversion.  As long as you have a high refresh rate television and set of proper eyeware (running between $75 and $150) a blu-ray player or PS3 you are ready to go.  And don’t let the high refresh rate scare you.  The minimum requirement is 120Hz.  Nearly all televisions now are 120Hz (Best Buy has them for under $1,000), and many are 240Hz without too much of a price increase.  And to top it off, a lot of plasmas are now 600Hz.

So the only thing stopping you from viewing 3D right now may be a pair of glasses and actual 3D content.  Don’t believe all the hype about insane costs.  Manufacturers make poor business decisions at times, but creating a popular market that the average consumer cannot enjoy isn’t likely.

Tags: HDMI