3D

[jay]

So suddenly 3D is the new technology buzz-word and will be the next big thing to happen to our televisions.

Have any of you seen a 3D film at the cinema yet, and if so what did you make of it?

I must say up until Sunday I was very under-whelmed by the whole thing, and then I saw the new Disney Christmas Carol film. I was literally blown away by the whole film - the 3D effects were just mind-blowing.

I can't help but think the 3D thing is just a passing gimmick, as it was a few decades ago, but for films like a Christmas Carol that involve things like snowfall and flying around it just works perfectly.

Do you think 3D is here to stay?

[cdd]

I've seen two 3D films recently and the effect is variable - some weird animated feature involving gerbils came out really well on it but it didn't add much to 'Up!' which I saw more recently. The red blue lenses of the early 90's were not very good but the new polarised system is very convincing.

However: for people like me who need to wear glasses it leads to an uncomfortable viewing experience. I guess we always have the 2D version option but it's still worth it.

[Gavin Scott]

The difference between cinema 3D of today and that of, say, 20 years (and more) ago is digital projection.

Getting two cinema projectors with reels of film lined up and synced was problematic. The individual frames had a certain amount of bounce and movement, meaning both wouldn't always be lined up perfectly, and this would cause headaches and motion sickness if the problem was great enough.

Digital projectors by comparison are rock solid (no moving parts), so once they're lined up they won't have the same potential for problems.

I think on that basis it is here to stay.

Getting the 3D effect without special glasses will probably be the next big thing, but I'd expect to see most studios continue with 3D production either way.

[jay]

What I think will become increasingly frustrating is the DVD/Blu-Ray versions of these films are released with a pathetic pair of red/green lensed 3D glasses - which for me just turn the picture green and seriously hinder my enjoyment of the film!

We have currently 2 "3D" films on Blu-Ray at the minute and I was seriously un-impressed with both.

[Gavin Scott]

What I think will become increasingly frustrating is the DVD/Blu-Ray versions of these films are released with a pathetic pair of red/green lensed 3D glasses - which for me just turn the picture green and seriously hinder my enjoyment of the film!

We have currently 2 "3D" films on Blu-Ray at the minute and I was seriously un-impressed with both.

Shouldn't really do that unless the filter in the glasses is off by a touch.

I've got a million colour filter swatch books in the house. Might be worth flicking through those until you find a red and green that matches the tint on the screen.



For anyone else struggling to find the specs in shops (for the C4 3D season), ring Stage Electrics or Whitelight and ask them to post you a swatch book.

Jay, you can have one of mine. [/plymouth]

[jay]

I just end up with a headache with the coloured glasses. At least in the cinema they work!

[Nick Harvey]

I'm surprised that Metropol isn't being presented in 3D this week.

I think you missed a trick.

[Gavin Scott]

I'm surprised that Metropol isn't being presented in 3D this week.

I think you missed a trick.

Its been noted for appraisal time, Nick.

Bad Metropol lab monkeys, bad!

[dosxuk]

For anyone else struggling to find the specs in shops (for the C4 3D season), ring Stage Electrics or Whitelight and ask them to post you a swatch book.

L232 (Super White Flame) on the left and L195 (Zenith Blue) on the right...

[marksi]

I've recently had two systems demostrated to me; the one that Channel 4 is using this week using the coloured lens glasses on a standard television (which I thought was at best mediocre) and another system using a specially designed monitor for the purpose of 3D presentation using polarising lenses. The latter was much better than the standard set, but the screen was only 22" and therefore the effect was not terribly impressive.

I don't know that it's the way forward to be honest, I suspect (for television) it is more of a gimmick. I may well be old fashioned but I don't see what it adds to a film, and - possibly because I'm in the industry - I find it distracts from the content rather than adding to it.

[jay]

I've recently had two systems demostrated to me; the one that Channel 4 is using this week using the coloured lens glasses on a standard television (which I thought was at best mediocre) and another system using a specially designed monitor for the purpose of 3D presentation using polarising lenses. The latter was much better than the standard set, but the screen was only 22" and therefore the effect was not terribly impressive.

I don't know that it's the way forward to be honest, I suspect (for television) it is more of a gimmick. I may well be old fashioned but I don't see what it adds to a film, and - possibly because I'm in the industry - I find it distracts from the content rather than adding to it.

In the industry? What do you do??

When I was working on a show for Sky earlier this year I was lucky enough to be demonstrated their 3D presentation, on a big screen with the clear lenses - and I must say it was very impressive!

Incidentally, it seems Panasonic are currently demonstrating their 3D innovations next with a roadshow around the country:


http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/P ... er_2940239