With James Cameron's 3D extravaganza, Avatar, purported to have made $232 million from worldwide box office sales over the past weekend, Digital Projection
picked the perfect time re-pitch its Total 3D Experience. Joining
television manufacturer, Mitsubishi and home control innovator,
Control4 at Manhattan's electronic retail store Stereo Exchange,
Digital Projection's Titan demo was part of a one-day event last Friday
hosted by the Home Theater Specialists of America to showcase 3D display technology.
"3D-enabled
products will be found in mainstream distribution outlets when this
technology hits the market in earnest nest year, but the better
performing and easier to integrate selections will still be exclusive
to HTSA type distribution," HTSA director of training and public
relations said. "What's interesting about this technology is that it
will enter at prices far below what we saw happen when flat panels were
introduced. Those were sold for upwards of $25,000 while 3D TVs will
come in significantly lower and more affordable. HTSA members will be
among the first to get their hands on this revolutionary technology."
DP's
Northeast/Midwest sales manager Jeffrey A. Schneider was on hand during
the event to demo the result of DP's partnership with Mechdyne,
the Titan System, which has been on the market for more than a year.
Explaining that a lack of 3D DVD movie titles kept the Titan from fully
entering the residential side of the business, Schneider noted that a
new commitment by Hollywood to provide significantly more 3D film
titles in the new year makes owning a 3D system a lot more attractive
for consumers.
During my Titan Reference 1080p 3D Dual
Projector demo, which came equipped with sturdy $200 3D glasses (this
eyewear made those paper contraptions handed out in movie theaters seem
like an abomination), DP took full advantage of Avatar
mania with its opening still of a Na'vi woman that literally pops out
of the screen. Other animated 3D film clips followed, including G-Force, Battle for Terra, and Planet 51.
It was truly one of the clearest, eye-catching demos of 3D I have ever
experience, and Schneider and his team are banking on that wow factor
to induce consumers to become early adopters.
Mitsubishi's WD-82837
and WD-65837 rear-projection DLPs that both come equipped with 3D
converters, appeal to the gamer and family den set, with price points
to match. On the market for the past year, the flat panels come in
sizes up to 82 inches and are priced under $5,000, which is a figure
Berman pointed to when advocating for 3D technology.
Finally, Control4,
which provided control for all demos on the day, took the opportunity
during the showcase to alert the press to its new permanent demo room
housed near the entrance to the Stereo Exchange. Constructed like the
average-sized family home theater room, Control4 has integrated many of
its key home automation, energy manage, and AV control equipment in the
space. Jeremy Frost, area sales manager for the company, said that
Control4 customers can look forward to a reasonably priced system
interface upgrade in the new year.