3D TV Equipment List: What You Need to Enjoy 3D Technology from Home

If you’ve been fascinated with the latest 3D movie you have watched at the cinema and want to reproduce that experience at home, a 3D TV would be the way to go. But then you may not quite be sure what equipment is needed to make 3D TV viewing a reality. Among the equipment you would need are a 3D TV set, of course, a set top box from a satellite television station that broadcasts 3D content, a 3D Blu-ray player and 3D glasses.

3D TV Set

2010 is the year of 3D TV. Major television manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic and Samsung have rolled out 3D television models of various sizes and specs.

To get a `total’ 3D experience, you would want to get the biggest television set your budget allows. Even if you’re on a low budget, a 3D TV is going to set you back quite a bit. At the time of writing, prices are $2000 upwards for a 50-inch 1080p plasma 3D TV and a 65-inch 3D plasma TV set would be about $5000.

Set Top Box

At the moment, there are a limited number of 3D television content providers. Many television networks, however, plan to go into 3D content broadcasting by the end of 2010. Some like ESPN have already started broadcasting 3D content starting with World Cup soccer matches in June 2010. DirecTV have also begun broadcasting 3D programs. Subscribers don’t have to pay additional charges if they’re already subscribing to DirecTV’s HD content.

If you’re signing up for 3D television service, you would need to upgrade your set top box and that could set you back by up to $200. Some television stations like DirecTV don’t require you to change your set top box if you’re already a subscriber. All that’s needed is a software upgrade.

3D Blu-Ray Player

You would need this player if you want to play 3D movies from a disc. If you’re thinking of connecting your 3D player to your existing home theater system, you would face a problem with HDMI connectivity though.

3D Blu-ray players use the new HDMI 1.4 connectivity whereas older AV receivers use HDMI 1.3 connectivity. Unless you’re buying a player like Panasonic DMP-BDT1350 Blu-ray player, which supports both HDMI standards, you would have to opt for a newer AV receiver system which supports HDMI 1.4.

At any rate, you would not want to rush into buying a Blu-ray DVD player as there are very limited number of 3D Blu-ray movie titles available in the market.

3D Glasses

To view 3D content on your television set, you would need active shutter 3D glasses. Some television manufacturers bundle them with their television sets. Others make it optional and be prepared to pay around $100 if you have to purchase a pair.

A major drawback is these 3D glasses can only be used for a particular television brand and can’t be used to view programs on other television brands.