3D Television

Last week I got my first taste of 3D Television, the “future of television” I’m told. Television in 3D is nothing new, I remember wearing two-colour, (red and cyan), lenses back in the early 90s during a 3D episode of Dr Who for Children in Need, and you might have worn them recently for the Channel 4 3D Week. This is known as an anaglyph images, it uses a normal television and is relatively cheap to do.

The 3D television system I got a chance to try uses clear polarised lenses and a 3D television. It is very similar to the 3D systems you get in cinemas to watch films like Disney’s Up in 3D. 3D is the new big thing in cinemas currently, with James Cameron’s Avatar due out, after the summer releases of Monsters Vs Aliens, Hannah Montana and Bolt all appearing in three glorious dimensions.

Back in May I saw Henry Selick’s funny, scary and beautifully animated Coraline in 3D. It is a great film, but having since seen it again in 2D I’ve come to the conclusion that what made the film wonderful was the brilliant storytelling and not the 3D.

Watching the live broadcast of the ATP Tennis Finals at The O2 in 3D was very impressive- both visually and technically. But once you have got over the initial surprise, and marvelled as how much of a technical achievement it is… it just feels like a gimmick. 3D if anything it is distracting, calling attention to itself and drawing you out of what you are watching.

I’m unconvinced by 3D. Casablanca is 67 years old, and I get a lump in my throat every time Ilsa and Victor board that plane. Would it make any difference to see Bogart standing on the tarmac, watching the love of his life leave without him, if his cigarette kept poking out of the screen? I very much doubt it.