Living in 3DHD with Panasonic

Coming from upstairs, the cheering boomed throughout our home. I raced upstairs to see why my children were screaming so loudly at our television. They stood around the room, glued to the screen, and yelled for their favorite skateboard heroes as they watched the X Games. This scene could have happened any day, but what made it exceptional today was the intensity of their yelling. And that they all wore glasses.

Yes, all three of my boys and their friend watched television while wearing 3D glasses and felt transported into the arena where the X Games took place. They screamed and cheered just like they attended the actual event. I viewed the screen without glasses and the image looked blurry and doubled. I hurriedly put on a set of glasses myself and started cheering along with the boys. Watching television this way is incredible!

As good as being there

With the help of full HD3D (High Definition 3D) from companies like Panasonic, it seems like you are watching television and videos through a window at home. Advances in technology in the past propelled High Definition to become the new standard in home theater viewing, now the newest standard is full 3DHD. The clarity of picture and depth of field make the video as clear as possible and better quality than what audiences see at a movie theater.

In the past, 3D movies were created as a gimmick. This technique of movie making caused audiences to duck out of the way as items flew at them or reach out to grab things floating in midair. Full 3DHD is not your mother’s or grandmother’s 3D experience. Now directors use 3D to help audiences feel immersed in a created world. The movies Avatar and How to Train Your Dragon lead the way in using this technology to enhance the movie experience.

3D is an option

Even though more and more movies are coming out in 3D (and you have the ability to see these films at home if you purchase a full 3DHD system) you may not always want to view a movie this way. No worries! Every 3D movie also comes with a regular 2D format, so the choice is yours. The versatility allows you to share movies with friends who have a 2D system or take your movies travelling with you on a road trip, just like any other film you purchase.

Where the fans are

If you are a sports enthusiast, you’ll never want to view a basketball game (or any game) in 2D again. Seeing a player come up for a slam dunk when his hand carrying the ball seems to be coming into your living room is outstanding! Watching the X Games in full HD3D made us feel we sat in the arena ourselves.

Our neighbor across the street is a huge Wisconsin fan. He creates his daily schedule around their basketball games. Today he has a date with our television to watch the game and we can’t wait to experience it with him. He watched his favorite team for decades, but he’s never seem them play in 3D. He’s going to love it!

Some still prefer 2D

This technology isn’t for everyone. We showed our set-up to some of our friends and family and a few didn’t care for the dimensionality. Their eyes had a hard time focusing. This didn’t seem to correlate with anyone wearing corrective lenses or age. Instead, it was uncomfortable allowing your eyes to focus in a three-dimensional plane when only a two-dimensional plane existed before. It feels awkward for some or as one friend said, “It makes me feel dizzy.”

Therefore, you should try out a full 3DHD set-up before investing in one for yourself. These trial systems can be found in most big box stores since the companies creating these televisions want you to see them for yourself. Most of our friends who spent some time watching our television thoroughly enjoyed it. These televisions broadcast regular 2DHD images as well. Some misunderstand these televisions and think once purchased, all your viewing is in 3D. Nope. This option is available when you want it, not a standard.

Movies as an event

I remember my teen years when watching a movie at home was a big deal, but over the years, I’ve been spoiled with the luxury of a home theater system. I take watching a movie at home for granted. Not anymore. With this awesome full 3DHD technology, our movie nights have become an event once again. Everyone in our family stops what we are doing, puts on the glasses, and focuses on the movie we’re enjoying together as a family.

I feel grateful having this option to enjoy a featured film with my family and friends. Movies have always been a way for my family to connect on our weekly Friday Night Pizza Nights, having a full 3DHD set-up helps make our movie nights even more special and eventful.

This post is the first in a series about the latest full 3DHD technology. Future posts will include information about 3D still cameras and video cameras. Stay tuned!

When Eileen Calandro isn’t thinking about her next full 3DHD Movie Night, she is the Chief Mom Connector of Mom Central. You can read more about her 3D antics on her own blog at calandroclan.com and connect with her on twitter at @MomCentralChat and @calandro5.

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Disclosure: Eileen has use of the full 3DHD product line through Panasonic’s Living in HD program.

Eileen Calandro