U.S. consumers give 3-D two thumbs up

Almost 90 percent of U.S. consumers have given high ratings to the picture quality of 3-D televisions and did not mind the battery-charged eyewear used to watch the three-dimensional images.

Up to 88 percent of some 3,065 3-D-capable set owners who participated in a poll commissioned by The Digital Entertainment Group said last week that they were satisfied with their 3-D home viewing experience and were happy about picture quality.

Ron Sanders, president of DEG and Warner Home Video, said during a presentation at New York’s Roosevelt Hotel that “this study was valuable because it centered on what set owners thought of the home 3-D experience.”

He also said previous research had been too focused on preconceptions ― many of them myths and misperceptions ― about 3-D technology and the overall watching experience.

This experience is now being enhanced by the availability of more content at both home and in theaters, Sanders said.

The positive results on 3-D vision come as Samsung and LG are fiercely competing in local and global markets to expand their territory in this new industry.

Samsung uses shutter-glass technology, which requires battery-charged glasses, while LG has adopted film-type patterned retarder technology.

The glasses coming with LG’s 3-D TVs do not use batteries and are lighter in weight as they are ordinary sunglasses with FPR film attached to allow 3-D vision.

This latest survey was conducted online by SmithGeiger during March 1-31 and queried respondents who had purchased LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung or Sony sets over the past 15 months.

(jemmie@heraldcorp.com)







The study also showed that 91 percent of respondents also viewed their 2D picture quality in a positive light.

Also, more than 80 percent of 3-D TV owners said they would prefer to watch half, most, or all of their programs in the enhanced three-dimensional format.

As for the 3-D eyewear, the study showed that only a few had experienced discomfort when using shutter-glass 3D glasses.

About 83 percent of the owners said they adjusted to their 3-D glasses either immediately or in just a few minutes.

By Kim Ji-hyun and news reports  (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)