It’ll be a few more months yet until 2011 turns to 2012, but if you knew what went down at this year’s International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), you’ll have a pretty good idea of what lies ahead in terms of home theater trends. What will the home theater look like? What technology, components, equipment, and accessories will soon be all the rage? What can you expect next from manufacturers and service providers? The show, held every year at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, is meant to give answers to such questions.
3D Everywhere
One of the trends that we noticed in the International CES was the abundance of products and technologies designed to bring 3D to your home theater. That’s right: very soon there will come a time when we won’t have to spend on gas, go to the theaters, wait in line, put on silly-looking 3D glasses, and pay more money for popcorn – just to experience a 3D movie. Very soon 3D movies will come straight to our living room.
3D glasses: Manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba are already making 3D glasses for 3D TVs. Not only do these 3D active glasses not look silly; they’re also easy-to-wear, adjustable, rechargeable, and conveniently designed for use at home (some are even fit to wear over your prescription glasses).
3D TVs: Don’t like 3D glasses? Well, how about a 3D-glasses-free 3D TV? Sure, 3D TVs have certainly been happening at CES over the last few years, but this year, the prototypes are taking on a wider variety, such as those that feature passive technology: the industry calls them the “autostereoscopic TVs”.
3D Projectors: New home theater projectors with 3D compatibility are also being introduced. This year’s batch included: the Sharp XV-Z17000 3D HD Front Projector, the Mitsubishi Diamond HD9000, the Vivitek 3D-Ready Projectors, and the Samsung SP-A8000 3D Home Theater Projector; other manufacturers are also creating projectors that can transform existing 2D content into 3D. Next year, these projectors are poised to deliver even greater resolutions, come at more affordable price points, and gain more mainstream attention.
3D Cameras: In 2009, a USB webcam called the Minoru 3D – the world’s first stereoscopic 3D consumer stereo webcam – won the CES “Fans Favorite” Award. Two years later, more cameras with 3D shooting capabilities and modes are appearing on the horizon, enabling consumers (and not just James Cameron) to record content in 3D. (And more 3D content means greater 3D technology adoption, right?) Standouts include the Sony Bloggie 3D, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10, Sony Handycam HDR-TD10, and the Panasonic HDC-TM900 , HDC-HS900 and HDC-SD800 HD 3D cameras.
3D Audio: Surround sound systems are also getting a 3D upgrade. At the 2011 CES, DTS announced their new Neo:X 11.1 surround sound technology, the world’s first 11.1 surround system, designed to deliver processor-enhanced 3D audio. It won’t be the last, and you can certainly expect home theater audio technologies to soon move beyond 5.1 and 7.1 setups.
3D Content / 3D VOD / 3D Channels: Content providers are also working to provide 3D content to your living room. There’s 3Net, a new 3D channel by Discovery, Sony, and IMAX. Video-on-demand companies like Vudu are offering more 3D movies. And media players and streamers like the Boxee Box are partnering with developers to bring 3D apps and menus.
