When do you think we'll see 3D compatible UHD/4K players and Blu-rays?

[Jbug]

Why are some set manufacturers sticking with active glasses technology when passive looks better on 4k TVs? I'm trying to see where they are coming from on a technical level. Also, what will it take to have full UHD 3D on a UHD TV? I'm thinking that it's not possible with passive but is it with active and therefore it's better to buy an active 3D UHD TV. With Netflix 4k streaming, will they stay away from 4k 3D movies?

[keb33509]

There are currently no plans for UHD 3D. If there were, Active 3D is required. BD 3D is still niche, so I see it being the primary format for 3D for years to come. Any so-called "4k" 3D would most likely be obtained through a streaming device.

[poke smot]

Originally Posted by keb33509

There are currently no plans for UHD 3D. If there were, Active 3D is required. BD 3D is still niche, so I see it being the primary format for 3D for years to come. Any so-called "4k" 3D would most likely be obtained through a streaming device.

the 4k sonys at best buy had passive 3d if i remember correctly.

[BD3Dfan]

Originally Posted by poke smot

the 4k sonys at best buy had passive 3d if i remember correctly.

From what I heard, there is a caveat to the whole '1080p passive 3D' thing on 4K 3D tvs. Apparently, it only works if the display is a certian size. If it's below that size, then the benefit is nullified and passive 3D will only display as it would on 1080p 3D TVs, that is, split resolution between eyes.

[AccordTR]

The choice for active 3d on UHD TVs, which I have one, is that active is two true 1080p feeds. UHD TVs can then weave the two 1080p feeds into an almost native 4k picture. This process looks amazing too be honest. Avatar 3d is jaw dropping in this 4k process.

[keb33509]

Originally Posted by poke smot

the 4k sonys at best buy had passive 3d if i remember correctly.

Yes, I know this. I was meaning for full 4k 3D, active would be required because passive 3D splits the resolution. It would be pointless for a passive 4k panel to playback a potential 4k 3D video except for the expanded color.

[Jbug]

So, will an active 4k set be future proof when and if a full 4k, 3D movie was released?

I had a passive 65" 4k Sony and know how good that looks, it was a revelation to be sure with no ghosting worth mentioning and plenty bright. I will probably wind up with an active 2014 4k (have active experience with PDPs) set though as I want a larger screen and the passive choices are not plentiful. I'm just hoping the ghosting is gone or not bad.

[keb33509]

If you prefer active, then sure, it's possible it could be future proof. That is, if 4K 3D ever comes. Don't expect it to come anytime soon.

[Paul H]

Easier for me to look at it this way:

DVD's were out for years but didn't hit their full resolution potential until 480P sets became available.

Blu-ray 3D's have been out for years but didn't reach their full passive potential until UHD @ 1080P per eye became available. i.e. Passive Blu-ray 3D capability is now at the peak of the physical BD3D media's potential with UHD sets.

[Jbug]

4K disc players will be on us next year so stay tuned to what role 3D plays there. Nothing has been set in stone as of yet but I'm still hoping for full 4k 3D on a disc.

[Jimmy Smith]

Presently there are no televisions on the market that support 3D video in full 2160p resolution. Though most UHDTVs support 3D but only at 1080p so nobody presently can buy a full UHD 3D television yet anyway. As for UHD blu-Rays the HEVC compression format they will use won't have a 3D option finalized until the summer so UHD launch titles will probably be 2D only at first but 3D support may be added later as it was for blu-ray. For me it's essential because 3D 1080p to 2D 2160p is a downgrade

[Suntory_Times]

I expect it will be part of the standard but expect film selection will be extremely limited for the foreseeable future due to very few 4k 3d films existing (I know of only one that is beyond doubt 4k and 3d, and the 3d was basically not present [tasm1]).

[Jbug]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Smith

Presently there are no televisions on the market that support 3D video in full 2160p resolution. Though most UHDTVs support 3D but only at 1080p so nobody presently can buy a full UHD 3D television yet anyway. As for UHD blu-Rays the HEVC compression format they will use won't have a 3D option finalized until the summer so UHD launch titles will probably be 2D only at first but 3D support may be added later as it was for blu-ray. For me it's essential because 3D 1080p to 2D 2160p is a downgrade

UHD sets with active glasses technology are not limited to 1080P as they are upconverting to full UHD. Passive UHD sets on the other hand are limited to 1080P per eye.

[Taygan315]

Apologies if this question has already been addressed and it just wasn't clear to me......with some of the current 4K sets from Sony and Samsung that have a active or passive 3D feature....does the set up-convert the 3D blu to 2160p (on the active sets) and 1080p on the passive sets?? How does the 3D look on both (for those that have 4K sets currently)??

[evertec]

Originally Posted by keb33509

Yes, I know this. I was meaning for full 4k 3D, active would be required because passive 3D splits the resolution. It would be pointless for a passive 4k panel to playback a potential 4k 3D video except for the expanded color.

I wouldn't say it's pointless... 4K passive would still be 3840x1080 to each eye, which is still twice the resolution as 1080p 3d. That would be just like saying 1080p is pointless on a 1080p passive 3d TV... I know by experience that 1080p 3D looks much better than 720P 3D on my passive 3d TV.

[petrified-eye]

Originally Posted by Taygan315

How does the 3D look on both (for those that have 4K sets currently)??

I've got a 55" Philips that gives 1080p passive. I couldn't even dream to have such perfect 3D at home and I have experienced several different 3D setups. The 3D quality was the only thing that made me buy a 4K TV as I have no plans to watch any 4K material.

[bud_brigman]

Originally Posted by petrified-eye

I've got a 55" Philips that gives 1080p passive. I couldn't even dream to have such perfect 3D at home and I have experienced several different 3D setups. The 3D quality was the only thing that made me buy a 4K TV as I have no plans to watch any 4K material.

This is my experience as well, except with a Sony 55" UHD set. The BD player "uprezzes" to 2160 (the colors just really pop more), but the 1080p Passive 3D is the real standout to me, and why I bought it.

I was a huge plasma fan, bummed by the loss of Panasonic's and Samsung's plasma manufacture, and Active 3D just never really appealed to me. So, I feel I have the best of both worlds right now. (Wish I could have gotten the 65", but ... marriage and compromises and all that!)

EDIT: As far as the 3D quality, TRON: Legacy looked like it did when I saw it in the theater. I just watched Pacific Rim and Predator (post-conversion), and both were amazing, to me. (But I didn't have a 3D set before, so I could just be awe-struck with my new toy.)

[Taygan315]

Originally Posted by bud_brigman

This is my experience as well, except with a Sony 55" UHD set. The BD player "uprezzes" to 2160 (the colors just really pop more), but the 1080p Passive 3D is the real standout to me, and why I bought it.

I was a huge plasma fan, bummed by the loss of Panasonic's and Samsung's plasma manufacture, and Active 3D just never really appealed to me. So, I feel I have the best of both worlds right now. (Wish I could have gotten the 65", but ... marriage and compromises and all that!)

EDIT: As far as the 3D quality, TRON: Legacy looked like it did when I saw it in the theater. I just watched Pacific Rim and Predator (post-conversion), and both were amazing, to me. (But I didn't have a 3D set before, so I could just be awe-struck with my new toy.)

Originally Posted by petrified-eye

I've got a 55" Philips that gives 1080p passive. I couldn't even dream to have such perfect 3D at home and I have experienced several different 3D setups. The 3D quality was the only thing that made me buy a 4K TV as I have no plans to watch any 4K material.

Thanks guys!! I'm planning on getting a 65'' Sony or Samsung 4K set this time next year. My projector and current Sony are active...but I'm thinking of going with passive for 4K.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Jbug

UHD sets with active glasses technology are not limited to 1080P as they are upconverting to full UHD. Passive UHD sets on the other hand are limited to 1080P per eye.

Those sets are still limited to a 1080p 3D input though, which is what a lot of people don't realise when talking about the upscaled '4K' 3D of certain sets.

As someone said above, there is no spec for 4K 3D in the home, not even in the cinema, and the instruction manuals for both Panasonic and Sony 4K sets make it quite clear that they cannot accept a 4K 3D signal; the Sony's can't even force simulated 3D on a 2D 4K input because they don't have the processing power to do so.

Sure, Samsung could well release another one connect box for their 4K TVs to include the 4K 3D standard if/when it ever arrives, but as with all the previous upgrade boxes it won't come cheap.

[jmy2469]

When do you think we will see 3D compatible UHD/4K players and Blu-rays?