3D impressions – revisit
I finally got the 3D TV I ordered a while back; a Panasonic TX-P50VT20. The one I tried previously (see my entry “3D impressions“) was of a different make, model and type. Before I go on to my latest impressions, I’d like to bring up some of the criticisms I developed during my first encounter with 3D TV’s.
- I saw a “shadow” on one side of a few objects on screen (this effect is sometimes called “ghost image”, “crosstalk” or “image bleeding”). I assumed the sync timing between the TV and the glasses wasn’t perfect, or there was some fade-effect (the TV didn’t have time to properly “hide” one of the images), or there was some software-related timing bug. Ignoring the potential cause for a second; it was quite noticeable in a few movie scenes and around certain details in the games I tried, and I found it to be a little annoying.
- Although the 3D works well from a distance, I felt much more immersion while I was near the TV screen.
- You feel like a complete goof-ball with those “We’ve been watching SciFi from 1960 while we designed these”-glasses on, and I’ve previously complained that they weren’t comfortable, but it may simply be that I’m not used to wearing glasses.
- The image on the screen had no visible 60Hz “pulsating” image like the old 60Hz CRT monitors had; which is obviously a very good thing, but that pulsating/blinking effect was visible when I looked outside the screen; on the walls, etc. Seeing as how the glasses aren’t meant for looking at everyday objects in your home, I don’t really see this as a problem. However, it does go to show that the claim that “they blink so fast you don’t notice it” isn’t completely true. Though as long as you look at the screen, that pulsating effect shouldn’t bother you.
As for differences between the 3D TV I tried in the TV shop and the one I bought:
- With regards to the “shadowing”; it’s completely nonexistent on my TV, which was nice to see. I was afraid it was an inherit problem with 3D that one has to grown accustomed to. Though if you happen to experience them on your TV, there appears to be settings – both in the TV as well as in games – which can get rid of most of (or even all) the “shadowing”.
- The glasses that came with the TV I tested in the TV shop were slightly more comfortable than mine. My Panasonic ones aren’t uncomfortable, but if I could choose, I’d go with the other ones. Although there’s another important aspect to it, which doesn’t apply to me personally: The Panasonic ones leave much more room for regular glasses. Since I don’t need glasses (yet), it’s not really a “pro” argument for me personally.
There’s definitely an issue with 3D and the experienced size of the screen, as several people have commented on this. While using the 3D feature it feels like the TV loses 10 inches or so (probably very subjective, but that’s what it feels like to me). My current 50″ TV honestly feels smaller than my old 42″ TV when I use the 3D feature. There’s a trivial patch to this issue: Sit closer to the TV; but this may not be desirable for everyone, especially if you have your favorite sofa in the back of the living room, and don’t feel like moving furniture around as you enable/disable 3D. (Someone on the official PS3 forums mentioned 3D TV and bean bag in the same context — a completely brilliant idea, if you ask me). But I should point out that the 3D is gorgeous even if you decide not to move closer to the TV, and live with the slightly “smaller” screen.
Putting these technical details aside, and focusing on the actual games: I got the last of the four “classic” 3D PS3 titles; MotorStorm 3D Rift. Earlier I made a lot of noise about how wonderful Wipeout HD is in 3D, but I must say that MotorStorm’s 3D is even more beautiful than Wipeout HD’s, which I frankly didn’t think was possible.
One moment which I really love in the game inFamous is when Cole is at the top of that insanely high tower of junk, and you jump down from there. The high drop gives me the sensation of butterflies in the stomach, which is quite impressive; kudos to the developers at Sucker Punch for managing to get a game to do that. But that feeling fades in comparison to the sense I get while driving over the cliffs in the track “The Edge” in MotorStorm while playing it in 3D mode. You have to experience it to believe it.
For anyone wanting test 3D in the appropriate order (from worst to best), I’d suggest:
- PAIN
- Stardust HD
- Wipeout HD
- MotorStorm 3D Rift
(YMMV, of course).
Nota bene: This just refers to the 3D:ness; I’m not ranking the games on any other merit here. Also, the term “worst” is used very lightly — the PAIN levels/game modes which support 3D do look very neat, and are definitely worth a closer look, even though I don’t find them as impressive as the other titles.
My final conclusions? The current generation of 3D is not perfect — but it’s definitely worth the investment if you’re into gaming and want to get as much out of it as you can. Especially when you see games like Wipeout HD and MotorStorm 3D Rift. Keep in mind that there are slight differences between different brands, models and types of TV’s; take some time to find out which model suites your needs. For me it was worth the extra money to get rid of the “shadowing” by default. But truth be told, I very much doubt the vast majority of people would care much about such issues.
Interesting. I wonder, is that both when looking at things straight on and in the, uh, peripheral vision?
I recall that the non-central parts of the visual field is supposed to be “faster”, but I’m not sure why. It was certainly noticeable with CRTs at 50/60Hz for me; perfectly good when you look at them straight on, but if you kind of see it in the corner of the eye the flicker is obvious, and it only went away at maybe 75 Hertz. (or higher?)
2010-09-06 at 14:20
I first noticed it when I turned toward the proprietor of the store to ask him something about the TV; it wasn’t the blinking in my peripheral vision which caught my attention.
That being said, one should note that:
1) I was very close to the TV, and the 3D:ness really caught, and held, my attention until I turned away.
2) Once I had seen the “pulsating”, I tried to see if it was visible/noticeable in my peripheral view field when I was focusing on the TV screen again, and definitely was.
3) When I focused on a shelf next to the TV, and had the TV screen in my peripheral view, there was not pulsating effect in it [the TV screen].
It wasn’t noticeable enough for me to react to until I’d noticed it by looking straight at it. But one need to keep in mind that I was up close to the TV. I’m fairly certain that most people will notice the blinking/pulsating effect much quicker if they sit in their regular living room sofa, at “normal” distance from their TV.
I have no idea why the pulsating effect isn’t there when looking (directly or indirectly) at the TV screen. I guess it could be explained with some inherit property of LCD and Plasma TV:s, but that’s a little bit too nonspecific to actually be helpful. I’d be happy to hear if others notice the same thing.
It didn’t really occur to me previously, but getting up close to the TV isn’t only a natural patch to the whole “the TV feels smaller” issue, but it also lessens the total area of “blinking/pulsating” in the peripheral view.
2010-09-06 at 22:25