The Verge says 3D movies are finally worth watching, thanks to video glasses and headsets

[GlobalBob37]

The Verge's Sean Hollister has written a love letter to 3D films, arguing that they are finally worth watching after years of disappointment. The problem with 3D in cinemas and on TVs was always the glasses, which dimmed the picture and gave each eye a compromised view. Modern video glasses and headsets fix that by giving each eye its own full resolution display. Hollister says that makes all the difference

He has been watching on the Xreal One Pro glasses, which can show separate left and right views for side by side 3D content at full 1080p per eye. He has even been buying 3D Blu-rays from thrift shops and eBay to watch on them. The Apple Vision Pro currently offers the best experience, with 4K, HDR, spatial audio and exclusive access to Disney Plus's 3D catalogue. Meta is set to add 3D streaming to the Quest 3 and 3S, with apps from Disney Plus, HBO, Paramount Plus and Peacock

Meta's upcoming VR Glasses, due in spring 2027 at $1,300, will reportedly offer hundreds of 3D films to rent or buy. Meta says prices will be in line with typical 4K film prices. For comparison, the Quest 3S costs $350 and the Quest 3 $600. That could make 3D at home far more accessible than it ever was with 3D TVs. That would be a big drop from what 3D TVs used to cost

Hollister describes some lovely moments. When the ocean parts for Moana, it no longer feels like looking at a flat wall of water, and transparent things like cockpits and glass look especially convincing. 3D TVs failed partly because the effect was dim and fiddly, and partly because there was little content. If streaming services bring 3D back to headsets, the content problem might finally be solved

I gave up on 3D years ago after too many dim, blurry cinema trips. But the idea of each eye getting its own full screen makes a lot of sense. Has anyone watched 3D films on a headset or glasses? Would you rent 3D films if they cost the same as 4K? And is this enough to make headsets mainstream?

3D movies are finally worth watchingwww.theverge.com

[ReacherOtter]

Streaming services bringing 3D back is the key. Without content, nobody buys the hardware

If Disney and HBO commit, it could work. Disney has a huge 3D back catalogue sitting unused