Are 3-D TVs the next big thing?

Are we ready for 3-D viewing from the comfort of our own homes? Ah, that’s the question facing manufacturers, hardcore home entertainment enthusiasts, and everyone with his or her eyes on this year’s CES. Avatar‘s stunning box office success shows audiences are willing to shell out for a 3-D experience, but it’s not at all clear that that enthusiasm for immersive viewing will translate to living rooms.

A few months ago, I got to try Panasonic’s entry into the market, which, like all other current 3-D options, requires special glasses. The glasses are sort of cumbersome, and they work best when you’re centered in front of the screen and staring directly at it. It’s great if you want to devote every fiber of your being to whatever you’re watching, but I very rarely enjoy TV that way. More often, I’m multitasking in front of my home television: e-mailing or Internet surfing or cooking or just futzing around. That’s why I don’t think all TV is suited for 3-D, at least not now. I’d watch sports in 3-D in a heartbeat, and movies (like Avatar), where the 3-D was really relevant, would get my full attention, too — not to mention 3-D gaming. But we’re probably still a way off from 3-D being the standard for TVs.

Are you dying for sofa-ready 3-D, PopWatchers?

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