Your view: is there any future for 3D TV?

So the Doctor Who Christmas special is to be the last 3D programme from the BBC. Our technology researcher Jack Turner isn’t bothered – and didn’t think many other viewers would be either.

As it turned out, he was right. So far, our poll reveals that 68% of you don’t even have a 3D-capable TV, and of those who do, only half choose to watch 3D programmes on it.

3D takes too much commitment

So why aren’t more of us interested in the 3D experience at home? While Dave has grown to enjoy 3D, he thinks that some viewers are put off because they have to be too actively involved:

‘In your home watching TV you may be doing many things at the same time which do not lend themselves to wearing goggles. So a home 3D TV viewer has to commit.’

For William, the glasses are too restrictive because you can’t watch en masse:

‘Back in the day, you could invite friends round to share a sporting experience or some such, now with 3D you’re limited to only those with compatible glasses. 3D will only truly take off when the need for special glasses goes, and that’s quite some way off.’

Feeling very nauseous…

The main problem a lot of you have faced with 3D TV is feeling nauseous while watching – hardly a pleasurable viewing experience! Vynor Hill says he’s sticking to his 2D telly:

‘Having watched 3D TV for an hour and a half on someone’s posh telly, I was not impressed. I ended up feeling slightly nauseous and the effect, though realistic enough, was not that exciting. I came back to my own television happy to watch in 2D.’

Jeremy had a similar experience:

‘We’ve bought a 3D TV which came with a set of Shrek DVDs [in] 3D. I still have not managed to watch the entire set. I found that watching for any length of time made me feel nauseous and strained. I finally put this down to the fact that one’s brain is constantly having to cope with contradictory depth information.’

Blame it on the eyesight

For some, the reason they ignore their TV’s 3D function is down to poor eyesight – Rarrar explains why:

‘My smart TV has 3D. Never gets used – it doesn’t work for me anyway as I don’t have good vision in one eye.’

Alfa has the same problem:

‘3D TV has never appealed to us because of slightly bad eyesight and having to wear special specs.’

Anyone in favour?

While there are many convincing arguments to wave goodbye to 3D telly, a few remained positive. Dave, who is our Commenter of the Week, has overcome his issues with 3D and grown to enjoy it when watching sport:

‘I was not keen initially [but]I have come to embrace Rugby, Football, even Sky Formula 1 testing and now Wimbledon presented in 3D live. I’m sorry the BBC has chosen to “mothball” their development project for three years as it may never return and we have a lot to thank the BBC for in technical broadcast developments over the years.’

So where do you stand – or should that be ‘sit’ – when it comes to 3D? Can you think of any other reasons to convince the sceptics, or are you steering well clear of the glasses?

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