Tech Talk: 3D and What to Expect published in the Campbellsville University's Campus Times

Imagine sitting down, after an exhausting day, to watch one of your favorite television shows. Put up the remote, turn on the TV, and wait for it to start. Imagine lying down in bed reading a book. You're relaxed, and the light is low. Imagine playing a video game and feeling such intensity to defeat your opponent. Now imagine doing all these things while wearing 3D glasses and having everything "jump out" of the screen and into your face. Crazy, right? Nah, it's about to come true.

Let's take a look back. Third-dimensional (3D) movies started appearing in the 1950s. Usually the movies were bad, and this was more of a marketing gimmick (but that's a different story). In order to see the 3D effects, you had to wear cheap paper glasses that had blue and red shades. This type of 3D has been around ever since.

There was another type that appeared around the same time though, and lately it's gotten a great amount of attention. This type of 3D had the individual wear eyeglasses that allowed different amounts of light coming into each shade, allowing for 3D effects to appear during a movie. This type of 3D, in the present, has become the standard in creating 3D film.

3D started making a comeback in 2003. It began with Ghosts of the Abyss, then Spy Kids, Shark Boy and Lava Girl, and Polar Express. Then something happened – Avatar came out. The world was blown away. Now, it has become the highest grossing movie of all time (and the most expensive).

Now when you watch a 3D movie at Green River Cinema 6 (yes, they're getting it in time for Clash of the Titans), you too can share the experience that so many others have experienced.

How does this relate to you? Well, starting this summer, companies such as Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic will be releasing 3D capable Blu-ray players and 3D HDTVs. Now the 3D films you saw in the theater will be yours for you to enjoy anytime your 3D desire engulfs you.

But wait! There's more! Nintendo, the company that created the Wii and the DS, will be releasing a brand new hand-held gaming system next year: the Nintendo 3DS. That's right, you will soon be seeing Mario actually punch you in the face as he tries to collect his mushrooms and coins.

Home consoles, such as the Playstation 3 (which already is a Blu-Ray player), shall receive an upgrade to the system where it will be 3D-ready when the new HDTVs come out. You may soon be playing video games in 3D.

Is there more? Of course! Mobile phones may soon be receiving 3D capabilities. Imagine dialing your friend's number and the numbers bursting out of the phone. Yeah. Awesome.

What else could there possibly be? Who knows. Companies around the world are thinking of new ways to incorporate 3D into the lives of millions of people. Perhaps electronic books will use 3D somehow, or maybe the insides of cars. There are reports of companies possibly going this route of displaying the car speed, the weather, and even the station for the radio on the car windshield. Not the best idea, but boy does it sound cool!

Fads come and go. This could possibly be a fad, but it could also be something so much more. Perhaps this will become the norm. Perhaps this will be a way of life. Perhaps this is the future.

---

home films advertising journalism graphics shorts websites photos resumé contact