Coming into CES, one of the technologies I continued to run into hype about was 3-D, specifically HD 3-D, aka 3-D viewing at home. How it was going to make a “big splash” and “revolutionize” the way we watch television. I wasn’t sold. Color me skeptical, but didn’t we just have a “revolution” with HD? This was something akin to going from DVD to Blu-Ray for me- cool, but not essential. I saw Bolt in 3-D in the theatres- it was cool, but was it worth the extra $5 or so? No. If it was the same price, would I seek it out? Still a no. I just didn’t feel it was so much better than a typical movie.

Then at the show, the hype well served, because many companies are, in fact, featuring HD 3-D. Panasonic incorporated it into their big pre-show media event, even enlisting James Cameron’s help in a video cameo saying how much better his upcoming movie “Avatar” will be because of Panasonic’s 3-D technology. Then Sony was featuring it. As was Samsung. Ok, ok, uncle. I give. I’m nothing if not a sucker for marketing- I at least had to check it out.

First up was Sony’s demo. Pretty cool, until they got to the football game. Double wow! All of a sudden, I needed to have this in my living room! The field was vivid, with the players actually leaping off the grass. There was a depth I had never seen before. I started thinking, maybe there’s something to this HD 3-D thing.

Next was Panasonic’s demo. A varied reel of mixed content types, which again was ho-hum, until they got the Lakers game. Holy smokes! Gadzoinks! I thought the football game was cool, this was simply stunning. A depth, clarity and layered imagery I had never seen before. It looked to be a normal camera angle at Staples Center (the Lakers home court), but the game looked so real. You’ve heard the cliché, “makes you feel like you were there” – this is as close as I’ve ever gotten to thinking it might actually be true. They then cut to the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies. In this 3-D version, it added something you never knew was missing, but all of a sudden are happy you had. The rows of performers cascaded to the background more vividly than ever before. I’m running out of words to describe this, that’s how good it was. The Lakers game looked like a special effect come to life.

I’m now on the HD 3-D bandwagon, and sports got me there. When does this come out? I need it.

But can we please do something about the glasses? Let’s get Oakley on the horn, have them design some fashionable 3-D glasses. These Blues Brothers style rigid square honkers are embarrassing. If this technology is really going to catch on, and people are going to wear these in the living room, in daylight, with other people walking around, we need to upgrade the style. Check out these frames. They sure make the TV picture look better, but they make your face look worse!

-- Peter Szabo