3D Televisions Buying Guide

Purchasing a 3D Television

Deciding which 3D TV to buy will often be dictated by your budget. However, there are a number of practical considerations to bear in mind:

3D capable TVs do not display all content in 3D. Rather, they offer 3D viewing as a feature that can be turned on and off. Only content that is filmed in 3D will allow you to enjoy the full three-dimensional viewing experience.
No Australian channel currently broadcasts in 3D so be aware that you will not be able to watch TV in true 3D. Some TVs may offer a 3D boost function that produces a similar effect but it is unlikely to engage as much as the real thing.
To enjoy the full experience, you will have to purchase a 3D media player such as a 3D Blu ray player and 3D content so be sure to factor these costs into your budget.
As a result of the content limitations associated with 3D viewing, it is important to pay close attention to the other specs and features of a TV as you are likely to spend more time watching in 2D than 3D. The good news about 3D TVs is that they all offer outstanding 2D picture quality.
Viewing 3D content requires you to wear 3D glasses. Always check to see if the 3D capable TV you like comes with 3D glasses as standard, as purchasing multiple sets could add considerable costs.
3D content is more effective when viewed on larger screens. If you have limited space in your living or media room, you may struggle to realise the full potential of a 3D TV. A UHD 2D TV may be a better option.

Active vs Passive

There are two types of 3D TVs, active and passive. The principal difference in these technologies lies with the glasses. Deciding which kind is best for you will come down to preference and budget. If possible, it is advisable to test both types for yourself. Note, all 3D glasses are designed to accommodate vision correcting spectacles.

Active glasses synchronise with the TV via infra-red or Bluetooth and rapidly blink on and off. Passive glasses enable each of your eyes to see differently polarised light. Both technologies trick your mind into perceiving depth in a flat image.
TVs with active 3D technology produce higher resolution 3D images than those with passive technology. However, active 3D glasses can occasionally fall victim to “cross-talk”, which is when an image appears to both eyes at the same time. While rare, it produces ghosting and effects image quality. Passive 3D TVs are not prone to cross-talk.
Passive glasses are lighter and less expensive than active glasses. Most passive 3D TVs usually come with multiple pairs. Active glasses are bulkier, heavier and can be costly to replace.

Types of 3D Televisions

Entry-level 3D TVs

The good news about purchasing a 3D TV is that even entry-level models boast outstanding picture quality, offer high levels of connectivity and numerous Smart features that can help you get more from your downtime.

All entry-level 3D TVs boast a minimum of Full HD resolution. Whilst this may now have been overtaken by UHD, it is by no means redundant as no Australian channels currently broadcast in UHD. FHD still offers crisp, clear, vibrant images.
You can also expect access to a host of apps and online content — many 3D TVs now include a dedicated Netflix button on the remote control. 3D TVs are powered by different operating systems. If you are particularly fond of Goole interfaces, keep your eye out for Android TVs.
Entry-level TVs tend to be in the region of 40-55". It should be noted that you should always shop for a TV according to the size of the room that it will be positioned in. Large rooms require a large TV.

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Mid-range 3D TVs

If your budget can stretch that bit further, you could get your hands on some technology and features that will take your viewing experience to even greater heights. It is also likely to mean increasing the size of the screen to create a more immersive viewing experience.

By upping your budget you could bring 4K UHD resolution to your home theatre set up. 4K TVs boast a resolution 4 times greater than Full HD. When twinned with a 4K-ready media player, you can enjoy staggering image detail and clarity.
Mid-range TVs tend to offer faster refresh rates. This will be of particular interest to sports fans and action movie aficionados as it will mean the TV can cope with even the fastest paced of sequences without showing any lag or ghosting.
Mid-range TVs are also likely to feature fast, quad-core processors that will make for a responsive performance when accessing online content. They are also likely to feature advanced audio encoding technology.

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High-end 3D TVs

High-end 3D TVs feature the best televisual technology and combine it with the largest screen sizes to create an impactful, dramatic viewing experience.

High-end 3D TVs are available in sizes up to 84". If you have the space for such a screen and the budget for a top television, then you are in line to create a genuine home cinema experience.
Some top of the range 3D capable TVs also come with OLED screens. OLED technology creates the deepest of blacks, so you’ll be able to see much greater detail in darker scenes. When twinned with UHD resolution you’ll see a breath-taking picture.
Upping the budget also means you can enjoy Curved TV technology. Curved screens create a more immersive, enveloping viewing experience. When this is used in conjunction with the other TV technology associated with high-end models, you get a picture that leaves you feeling as though you were there.

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