It seems that we may be on the cusp of a genuine "revolution" in TV technology, or at least a real evolution. Not since the transition from black and white to full colour, has the way we watch television approached such a monumental advancement; this is what the manufacturers would have us believe at any rate. The advancement of regular DVD to HD was easily and effectively likened to the jump from VHS to DVD in sheer terms of quality, and for a time it seemed that this was the very pinnacle of what the medium could achieve. Then there were rumblings of something from the past of cinema, something from as far back as 1922. 3D was bound for our cinema's once more and eventually into our homes.

So. Where did it all begin?

The first 3D film was called "The Power of Love" and was something of a one off in the first quarter of the 1900's. It was in the 1950's that 3D cinema really took off, with a plethora of Sci-Fi titles including the seminal 'Creature from the Black Lagoon'. There was a problem however, and this was largely to do with the way 3D cinema was shot and viewed.

Essentially there were two distinct images which the comedy glasses filtered out between the eyes leaving the human brain to fill in the information, in much the same way it does with animation only in this case to create the perception of depth. This gave the illusion of a three dimensional picture but perspective distortion and the stroboscopic effect on the brain and retina led to 3D fatigue, with many patrons complaining of headaches and even nausea when exposed to protracted bouts of eye popping visuals.

Is it better this time around?

This is no longer a problem according to the top manufacturers, who have once again been quick to release the new technology on to the high street, as they did with full HD a few years ago. According to Samsung's President of Visual Display Products, new techniques in shooting 3D films have a lot to do with the refinement of the 3D experience. This is clear when you view Avatar, which was shot from the ground up with 3D in its remit, and then watch the far less successful, and at times, visually awkward Clash of The Titans which wasn't shot with 3D in mind at all and just converted and cobbled together at the last minute.

There are anomalies and distortions in perspective with the latter film, not to mention an odd cardboard cut-out quality to many of the scenes. Avatar is in a different league with it's sumptuous visuals and real depth of perspective. Hopefully the trend of simply changing films to 3D will discontinue, or at least the process will be conducted with more care and attention in the future.

Should I sell some valuables or an organ to go 3D?

In a few words, they are pretty damn good! In a few more words, they really do seem to carry off the cinema experience with considerable aplomb. There were some size issues with the new generation of sets we viewed, as 32 and 37" displays just didn't manage to convey the same level of immersion that a huge, enveloping cinema screen can. There are bigger screens now emerging on to the market, but these are hugely expensive with 50" sets costing around and upwards of £2,000. Then there are the accessories you will need.

For starters, you will need a 3D blu-ray player which will cost the best part of £400, and then there are the 3D glasses you will have to don to decode the images. Along with these, you must purchase a 3D capable HDMI cable and, of course, some 3D films. Once you have acquired this bounty, and frittered away your children's university funds, you are ready to enjoy 3D movie mastery in your own home and in all its glory, providing you didn't purchase Clash of the Titans that is.

Is it worth the cost? Is it the next big thing?

It is so very nearly worth it, but as is always the case with developments in television, taking your time will be your best bet. Expect prices to fall as display sizes increase, and within a year or so the technology will be truly accessible and pretty well sorted. Top brands such as Sony and Samsung are aiming for 3D television's to be a staple in the majority of homes in three years time, and ultimately to surpass the need for additional glasses altogether. With marketing and technological clout like that behind it, this time-scale seems a realistic one. So is 3D television the new home entertainment revolution? Absolutely!

Written by Haydn Thorne