Passive 3D vs Active 3D

[BLMN]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by revgen

1) The only 3-D equipment that can legitimately be called "ghost-free" or crosstalk free are DLP projectors with RF active glasses. Passive glasses tend to have less ghosting than active glasses on non-DLP equipment. Unfortunately, DLP projectors and TV's tend to have lousy black levels, resulting in poorer contrast than plasma, OLED, and some high-end LCD's.

2) You can see the flickering if you're not looking straight at your TV in a room with ambient light. This isn't much of an issue with a projector since most people watch projectors with the lights turned down or off.

3) Passive glasses are fine resolution-wise if you're watching on a 4K TV since the 4K TV automatically upscales all 1080p content to 4K. So when the vertical resolution is halved, you're watching the full 1080p resolution instead of 540p resolution on a 1080p tv.

4) Most manufacturers probably don't want to spend R&D on a passive 3-D system when they already spent $$ and time developing an active glasses system. LG developed their passive 3-D system when 1080p 3-D TV's came out, so adding it to their 4K TV's wasn't too difficult.

5) This is why I like my 2016 E6 OLED. Full 1080p resolution with passive glasses, less crosstalk than non-DLP active glasses, and way better contrast than DLP projectors.

6) 4K 3-D movies don't exist yet in the consumer marketplace, and are very rare commercially. I saw one (Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk) very recently at the Cinerama dome. The dome and another theater in New York were the only two theaters with the projectors capable of doing it. For now, outside of experimental commercial engagements, 4K 3-D is non-existent.

One of the reasons I will never get rid of at least one of my DLP tvs. But would gladly add a 4K with 3D too.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

My understanding is 4k 3d active sets run in a 1080p mode per eye for 3d.

Information on how Active 3D UHD/4K is implemented on-screen seems to be scarce.

I find only evaluation descriptions.

One 2014 C/net article regarding active-3D states:

ACTIVE:

t's also worth noting that on a 4K TV with active 3D, there's no similarly major improvement compared to the 1080p version. When I compared the 3D of the Samsung UN65F9000, a 4K TV, to that of the UN55F8000, its 1080p doppelganger, they were almost identical.

The same article regarding 3D passive UHD/4K:

PASSIVE:

When a 4K resolution TV uses passive 3D, however, the extra pixels play a much more obvious role. You still lose half the vertical resolution, but since there are so many more pixels, you can afford to lose it. 4K TVs (3,840x2,160-pixel resolution) with passive 3D, like the Toshiba L9300U, can still deliver greater than HD resolution in 3D, at 3,840x1,080 pixels per eye.

The improvement was profound compared with 1080p

[cyberghostx13]

Hello, I'm brand new to this site but have been into 3D since maybe 2010. I'm just looking mind you but I have been checking out current availability of 3D TVs lately as it has come to my attention that 3D TVs aren't being made anymore. Seems a few have been made in 2016 and virtually none in 2017. I have had 2 3D TVs my current one a Samsung 50 which is a little over 3yrs old and very good 2D and 3D. I want to see what the market is and have been looking at 3D Samsung and 3D LG OLED TVs. Samsung is Active and LG is Passive. My question is if I was to purchase the LG would I have the option to use my Samsung Active Glasses(USB Recharge) to watch a Passive LG 3D? Thanks from the " New Guy".

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by cyberghostx13

My question is if I was to purchase the LG would I have the option to use my Samsung Active Glasses(USB Recharge) to watch a Passive LG 3D? Thanks from the " New Guy".

The LG passive 3D display can use the same realD 3D glasses the movie theater provides for 3D. I have a bowl with 20 adult and children pair, placed by the Passive LG.
Active glasses will not work on a passive set.

3D Glasses.jpg

[davidbe]

Originally Posted by cyberghostx13

Hello, I'm brand new to this site but have been into 3D since maybe 2010. I'm just looking mind you but I have been checking out current availability of 3D TVs lately as it has come to my attention that 3D TVs aren't being made anymore. Seems a few have been made in 2016 and virtually none in 2017. I have had 2 3D TVs my current one a Samsung 50 which is a little over 3yrs old and very good 2D and 3D. I want to see what the market is and have been looking at 3D Samsung and 3D LG OLED TVs. Samsung is Active and LG is Passive. My question is if I was to purchase the LG would I have the option to use my Samsung Active Glasses(USB Recharge) to watch a Passive LG 3D? Thanks from the " New Guy".

No, you cannot use active glasses with the LG OLED, but that's not a big issue because the passive glasses are much less expensive (and a bit more comfortable). I would definitely recommend the 2016 OLED if you can afford it. The 3D is stunningly beautiful on the 4K OLED (note that 4K is required to get full high definition 1080p 3D using passive glasses).

[doctor_who]

Originally Posted by davidbe

No, you cannot use active glasses with the LG OLED, but that's not a big issue because the passive glasses are much less expensive (and a bit more comfortable). I would definitely recommend the 2016 OLED if you can afford it. The 3D is stunningly beautiful on the 4K OLED (note that 4K is required to get full high definition 1080p 3D using passive glasses).

+1. Get the LG. The passive glasses are perfect for 4K. You can use the ones you get a the theater, just take them home with you.

[davidbe]

Originally Posted by doctor_who

+1. Get the LG. The passive glasses are perfect for 4K. You can use the ones you get a the theater, just take them home with you.

Slight correction: "Theater" here refers to a Real3D theater, not an IMAX 3D theater. The IMAX 3D glasses use a different polarization and won't work with a passive 3D TV. The Real3D glasses will work.

[cyberghostx13]

I want to thank you fellow members for your quick response. I was hoping for compatibility but alas 'twas not to be. I for one like the active glasses better and after reading info and comparisons here at this site I still like the active better. As far as weight of glasses comparison I find it a moot point pertaining to myself personally. My Samsung Glasses(USB Recharge) are so good I just bought another pair two days ago. I believe I will get 2 to 3 more years with my current 3D TV but will keep up with the market just in case. I just watched "OZ" and the movie was incredible in 3D. I just bought 15 more 3D movies in the last few days to add to a collection of around 25. Thanks again for your info and input on this matter.

[Anon1967]

Originally Posted by cyberghostx13

My question is if I was to purchase the LG would I have the option to use my Samsung Active Glasses(USB Recharge) to watch a Passive LG 3D? Thanks from the " New Guy".

Why would you want to when the 3D from a 2016 LG 4K TV is so good with the passive glasses?
Have you seen a 3D movie playing on one of these TVs?
I'd at least want to check them out before righting them off.

[jamietre]

Originally Posted by cyberghostx13

I for one like the active glasses better and after reading info and comparisons here at this site I still like the active better.

You've clearly never seen 3D on a 4K LG OLED TV if you are saying this. There is simply no comparison by any objective or subjective standard. Brightness, convenience, comfort, and cost (of glasses) are all far superior. Image resolution is exactly the same - 4K 3D passive TVs provide full HD 3D picture. I have both an excellent Panasonic Plasma active 3D TV, and an LG OLED E6P -- both 55" - and the difference is quite literally night and day. That is -- I can actually watch 3D during the day on the LG because it's so much brighter I literally bought the LG TV because I was so blown away by the 3D when I saw it at a friend's house.

The idea that your biggest concern is being able to use your expensive active glasses is nonsense - you won't miss them, and it won't cost you much to get as many passive pairs as you need. Just grab some for free when you go see a movie, or buy them online for a few bucks. I've got some excellent oversized ones so I can comfortably wear them over actual glasses, too, which is something you can't really get for active.

Old-school active 3D is better than 1/2 resolution passive 3D as was available on standard HD sets. But on 4K there's just no advantage, period. Everything is better.

As an aside, anyone looking to get an LG 3D 4K set, you better do it soon. I got the E6P new a few months ago for about $2250. Now the cheapest new one on Amazon is 3K, 4K for the 65". You can still find some better deals than this on eBay and so on, but the prices are rising steadily and they will be gone/very expensive before long. With any luck Avatar 2 will revive the tech so hopefully my TV lasts till then

[cyberghostx13]

Well because the 3D window is closing I am getting serious about purchasing the LG OLED 55C6(2016) @ Amazon for $1997. What's holding me up? I live in an apt(20yrs) and I need to clear out a storage area so I can store my Samsung(just in case). I haven't purged much in 20 yrs so it's not an easy deal, but just getting storage room outside apt. won't be quite as hard to deal with. Anyway buying a new TV is a major motivation factor.
What I want to know is, do any of you own this TV model or it's bigger brother(65) and if so what info/tips can you tell me? Also any info about shipping options(White Glove etc.)? Thanks a whole bunch.

[BLMN]

Originally Posted by jamietre

You've clearly never seen 3D on a 4K LG OLED TV if you are saying this. There is simply no comparison by any objective or subjective standard. Brightness, convenience, comfort, and cost (of glasses) are all far superior. Image resolution is exactly the same - 4K 3D passive TVs provide full HD 3D picture. I have both an excellent Panasonic Plasma active 3D TV, and an LG OLED E6P -- both 55" - and the difference is quite literally night and day. That is -- I can actually watch 3D during the day on the LG because it's so much brighter I literally bought the LG TV because I was so blown away by the 3D when I saw it at a friend's house.

The idea that your biggest concern is being able to use your expensive active glasses is nonsense - you won't miss them, and it won't cost you much to get as many passive pairs as you need. Just grab some for free when you go see a movie, or buy them online for a few bucks. I've got some excellent oversized ones so I can comfortably wear them over actual glasses, too, which is something you can't really get for active.

Old-school active 3D is better than 1/2 resolution passive 3D as was available on standard HD sets. But on 4K there's just no advantage, period. Everything is better.

As an aside, anyone looking to get an LG 3D 4K set, you better do it soon. I got the E6P new a few months ago for about $2250. Now the cheapest new one on Amazon is 3K, 4K for the 65". You can still find some better deals than this on eBay and so on, but the prices are rising steadily and they will be gone/very expensive before long. With any luck Avatar 2 will revive the tech so hopefully my TV lasts till then

Not true at all. There is a 4k active 3D set as good as the passive oled, sony z9d is (seen both on display side by side) and as an add on it is capable of dolby vision through firmware for your 4k fixings.

[Vilya]

I have only had a 3D TV for two months and I am glad it uses passive glasses. The active ones are much more expensive, heavier, and they are getting rather hard to find. I don't want more things that require recharging, either. At least with passive, I can swipe a pair from the theater if the need becomes great.

[xianxian]

Originally Posted by BLMN

Not true at all. There is a 4k active 3D set as good as the passive oled, sony z9d is (seen both on display side by side) and as an add on it is capable of dolby vision through firmware for your 4k fixings.

Well, 4K active and 4K passive are giving probably same quality of 3D pictures.
In that case, the 4K passive is just simpler/cheaper for the glasses.
Additionnally, I think active glasses are giving darker pictures than passive.at least in movie theaters)
So overall, if you have a 4K active, that's good.
if you want to buy one now (hurry up) pick the passive.
My LG 65 E6 is just fantastic

[Adam_ME]

I recently replaced my Samsung 65JS9500 with an LG OLED 65C6P and I much prefer the passive 3D of the OLED to the active 3D of the Samsung. The glasses were more comfortable, they didn't require those annoying cell batteries that the Samsung glasses kept burning through quickly, and the picture quality was brighter and better.

I've always gone out of my way to buy 3D copies of Blu-rays even if it required importing them. But I haven't watched that many since I'd start to get a headache after a while with those glasses. That's not gonna be an issue anymore with the OLED. I'll have to revisit a bunch of titles since I have a feeling they're gonna look a lot better in passive 3D on this TV.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by BLMN

Not true at all. There is a 4k active 3D set as good as the passive oled, sony z9d is (seen both on display side by side) and as an add on it is capable of dolby vision through firmware for your 4k fixings.

Active glasses produce slight additional measurable percentage losses of original light pass-through from the alternating sequential blackouts. And there is the electronic build factors of the lens-structure that has to produce both opaque and black.

[dhvsfan]

Originally Posted by Adam_ME

The glasses were more comfortable, they didn't require those annoying cell batteries that the Samsung glasses kept burning through quickly, and the picture quality was brighter and better.

Yep, they do burn batteries. However, I've discovered that removing the batteries makes them last longer. There is always a small drain when the batteries are in the glasses, so you can push them on. One of the disadvantages of the type of On/Off switch they use.

Originally Posted by Adam_ME

I've always gone out of my way to buy 3D copies of Blu-rays even if it required importing them.

YAY! Me too! I have at least 10 imported 3D Blu-Rays.

[Joe D.]

No problem with glasses. Prices have come down and the rechargeable ones on eBay actually work better than the ones provided with my Sony.

[robtadrian]

According to Glenn Erickson it is https://cinesavant.com/cinesavant-column-152/

[ARCAM]

The very last thing ACTIVE Displays are, in anyway, shape or form, is
inferior to PASSIVE Displays ! What utter nonsense !