Will viewers adapt to using 3D television glasses?

One of the biggest hurdles to the 3D television movement will be getting viewers to purchase 3D glasses and wear them in front of their TV. Changing the picture is one thing, but having viewers wear a piece of equipment means a significant change to the way people watch TV. Watching a movie in 3D may be easier for viewers to adapt to because it is more of an event, however it may be difficult for many to make that adaptation for everyday television watching.

That said, the 3D glasses on the market are not the flimsy paper products you used as a kid.  These are high-tech pieces of equipment - with the price tag to prove it. Most of the glasses have a digitally-controlled shutter in the lens, which actually enhances the experience instead of simply making the experience possible.

There are some companies out there that have concern that viewers want their 3D without the glasses, and they are working on other options.  Take Nintendo for instance, which recently announced the 3DS.  This device is a handheld gaming device which allows for 3D gaming without the use of glasses.

Sharp has gotten on board as well and announced plans for a mobile television product that claims to offer 3D programming to users without the need for 3D glasses. I’m not sure how clear of a 3D picture will be possible on a mobile handset, particularly considering the various angles with which the device will be held. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more glasses-free 3D technology come out.

I've seen a demonstration of a large screen plasma TV that had a special "lens" inserted in front of the glass.  It allowed you to watch a 3D program from a pretty wide angle without any glasses at all.  

I'm becoming a believer.  Watching Avatar in an I-Max theater in 3D convinced me that the new format was more than just a passing fad.  It was the first movie I had seen in 3D that wasn't about whimsical trickery like little gremlins jumping onto your lap.  The applications on a large screen, high def TV are as clear as 1080p to me.

Better get to work clearing some more bandwidth!