The reason: Millions of consumers now own flat-screen TVs, which are not 3-D capable, and will be unlikely to invest in new 3-D sets in the coming years.
“It’s not a technology problem,” says Katzenberg. “But, who wants to spend another $1,500 when they just paid that for their new TVs? For 3D to be wildly available in homes is quite a ways away.”
Katzenberg offered his forecast at yesterday's 3D Entertainment Summit conference in Los Angeles, according to Video Business.
Will consumers don the 3-D goggles at home?
DreamWorks and other studios plans to release more films in the 3-D format in the next year. In fact, DreamWorks has committed to producing all of its films in 3-D starting next year. The National Football League and the National Basketball Association are also experimenting with 3-D broadcasts in theaters.
The studios and movie theaters are excited about the rising box office numbers for 3-D films. Video Business reports that about 1,500 3-D theatrical screens are in the U.S., but the number will jump to 2,500 screens next year.
While the movie theaters are equipped to display the format, the Home Theater is another matter. Home viewers can now watch Blu-ray and DVD films in 3-D, but in most cases it requires the use of inexpensive 3-D glasses which can distort the colors and destroy the experience. (Recent 3-D home video releases include Journey to the Center of the Earth and the Hannah Montana concert film.)
Mitsubishi, Samsung are among TV makers who have introduced 3-D capable sets that would not require the goggles. But Katzenberg says sales of those sets will be slow due to the recent home penetration of non 3-D sets.
The studio executive also questions whether the 3-D effect will ever be as powerful in the home as it is in the theater.
“It’s hard to have a 3D experience at the level of the immersive theatrical experience,” said Katzenberg, according to Video Business. “Light diminishes the 3D effect. Just opening a door in a dark room can diminish the quality. One place where I can go to watch 3D at home is in a closet, but you can’t get a 50-inch TV in there.”
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