Additional Resources

Not only do 3D products promise stunning high-definition 3D content for movies, gaming and cable/satellite TV, but these superb HDTVs, Blu-ray players and gaming consoles deliver all the 2D content you currently enjoy. And because the soon-to-be-debuted cameras and camcorders with 3D technology use an interchangeable lens, you can capture still images and video in standard 2D.

Enter the immersive world of 3D, plus experience stunning high-definition 2D content with the following products. For more details on the components required for the full 3D experience, follow the links below:

Home Theater
3D HDTVs
3D Blu-ray players
Learn more about 3D home theater ›

Computing
3D-ready PCs
3D-ready monitors
Learn more about 3D computing ›

Cameras & Camcorders
Make the most of your memories, take pictures & record videos in 3D then watch them come to life on your 3D TV & 3D glasses.
Shop 3D cameras & camcorders ›

Gaming Consoles
Experience even more lifelike gaming in 3D.
Shop Xbox 360 ›
Shop PS3 ›
Shop Nintendo 3DS ›

New and exciting content is constantly being developed for this emerging technology. Right now, you can find the following:

3D Blu-ray Discs
In addition to recent 3D Blu-ray movie releases, some TV manufacturers have created starter kits with exclusive Blu-ray Discs and 3D glasses compatible with their TVs.
Shop 3D Blu-ray Discs ›

3D Cable/Satellite TV Channels
You can get 3D programming from DIRECTV or from many cable operators — check with your local provider to confirm programming. You can also visit a Best Buy store to learn about what's available in your area or click the link below for more info.
Learn more about 3D service from DIRECTV ›

3D Video Games
Shop 3D video games ›
Shop 3D graphics cards ›

Many 3D HDTVs and 3D-ready computers use active shutter glasses to display two alternating images, one for your left eye and one for your right eye. Your brain will then combine these images into one full 1080p image, forming the depth associated with 3D. When purchasing active shutter glasses, make sure they are compatible with your 3D HDTV or 3D-ready PC hardware.

Some TV manufacturers are now selling passive 3D TVs that use passive circular polarized glasses, similar to what you use at the movie theater. When looking at the screen with passive glasses, the left and right-eye images are combined on a single frame (which creates a blurry effect when you look at an image without 3D glasses). The lenses on the glasses have no shutters or electronics and are manufactured in a way that the left eye sees only the left image within the frame, and the right eye sees only the right image. These glasses do not use batteries or need to be recharged. They are generally less heavy and bulky than active shutter glasses, and also less expensive.

While there have been significant developments in glasses-free (or autostereoscopic) 3D technology, it's still extremely expensive to implement within large, flat-panel HDTVs. Also, at this point in the technology, as you get farther away from a large screen, you can only view a 3D image at a handful of specific angles. So the jury is still out as to when glasses-free technology will be a reality on larger screens, but many experts think it will take another 5–10 years.