What is 3D? Anyone who has seen 3D in their local movie theater knows how absolutely incredible the experience is.  Elements of the movie are not only dramatically three-dimensional, they at times appear to fly out from the movie screen and come right up to you in your seat! Now, advancing technology allows manufacturers to bring that stunning 3D experience to televisions as well, allowing you to experience the wonder of 3D in your own home!  Stop into any American TV location and see what all the buzz is about!  Our 3D demo station allows you to experience what 3D will look like in your home. You won’t believe your eyes! See our Store Locations and Hours

What you’ll need to experience 3D at home:

1.  A 3D HDTV

3D HDTVs are sets that operate in 3D mode (as well as 2D mode) and sync with Active Shutter glasses. The 3D HDTV tells the 3D Active glasses which eye should see the image being projected at that particular moment creating the 3D effect. These displays usually have a higher processing power because they need to display one image for each eye to get the desired 3D effect. The 3D HDTV sets have a minimum refresh of 120Hz and usually support HDMI 1.4. Older HDTVs will not be capable supporting 3D technology because of the requirements needed to create the 3D experience.

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2.  3D Glasses

There are currently two kinds of 3D glasses on the market, Polarized (passive) glasses and active glasses. Here are some differences between the two.

Polarized (Passive) Glasses contain a pair of polarized lenses. Each polarized lens allows light which is similarly polarized to come thru while filtering out the light in the opposite direction.  Each polarized lens allows each eye to see a different picture, but from a slightly different perspective. This technology is what you would find when watching a 3D movie at the IMAX.

Active Glasses or Active Shutter Glasses keep in sync with your 3D HDTV by quickly blocking each eye, like a shutter, ensuring each eye will only see the intended image being displayed. These glasses are special because they usually contain liquid crystals that can be made opaque and thus the act like a shutter. These glasses are battery-operated and need to be of the same brand as your 3D HDTV. This technology is quickly becoming the standard and has been adopted by most consumer electronic manufacturers.

3.  3D Content for your HDTV

3D Blu-ray Player and 3D Blu-ray Discs
Many movie studios are in the process of releasing movies on 3D Blu-ray discs. These discs will need a 3D Blu-ray Player that can read that content and send it to your 3D HDTV.

Gaming Console and 3D Games
Sony announced its PlayStation 3 will be able to read both 3D movies and 3D video games through a firmware update later this year. Sony is also in the process of developing some 3D video games and more information should be released later this year.

Cable or Satellite 3D Content
Cable and Satellite TV providers will soon be offering 3D HD programming such as sports, music and other content with more to come in the near future from Sony, IMAX, Discovery, ESPN.

HDMI Cable
In order to connect your 3D HDTV to a source of content, you will also need an HDMI cable.