In the coming weeks, Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, the Clash of the Titans remake and How to Train Your Dragon will all be released in 3-D in North America, while Avatar could also still remain in some locations. Not all theater owners have bought the new digital projectors and made the necessary upgrades to screen the films in the new format, so a limited number will be able to actually show all the titles in 3-D. About 3,900 to 4,000 3-D-ready screens are to be available in the U.S. and Canada by the end of March. But, typically, a movie in wide release might show on up to 10,000 screens.

Alice in Wonderland, produced by Disney, scheduled for release March 5,  is one of 20 3-D releases scheduled this year with additional films expected to be announced. The main issue of course is that less than 10% of movie theaters,  roughly 4,000 screens can project in 3-D. This is personally felt in Bozeman, Montana, where there is no ability to watch these movies in 3-D. Hollywood seems to be ahead of its movie distributors for 3D technology. This lack of 3-D supply and theaters is putting pressure on theater owners who may not have enough screens to play both avatar which is running strongly going into the Academy Awards as well as house wonder.

In a traffic jam becomes even more congested. In early April class of the Titans snippets during the Olympics broadcast. Theater owners are trying to add 250 screens a month and will eventually pick up the pace from 4000 screens at the beginning of 2009 to hopefully 7000 screens by the holiday film releases. 3-D technology has given the industry some optimism. Higher ticket prices have helped increase revenue and fatten profits for Hollywood.  Movies such as “Dragon”, and Alice in Wonderland were filmed in 3-D., but Clash of the Titans is being converted from 2D just before they are released. If the movie does well as a 3-D movie, then more studios will look to convert to 3-D movies. However, quick 3-D conversions are not as good and could end up with moviegoers being dissatisfied with the technology. 3-D which is done well and good for the industry that bad 3-D can risk spoiling the whole concept.

The quest to deliver 3d television shows, video games, and movies to 3-D ready HDTVs is moving forward despite the dearth of programming. A supply of 3-D broadcasts may entice viewers to use the special glasses. To learn more about 3-D ready LCD Tvs, please check out the LCD TV buyers guide.

The simulation of three dimensions requires two images, one each for the users left and right eye. The two approaches include analgryph and polarization. The analgryph technique uses color filters in paper lenses and some people say it works best on HD flat screens.  Viewers prefer projection technology using polarized light and inexpensive plastic glasses. A third approach that does require glasses, currently favored by Philips Electronics, may take several years before commercial release.

Samsung has released two 3-D ready plasma TVs , 42 inches and 50 inches.  The 50 inch plasma TV is priced at $2,656 (shop for HDTVs online). However, Network broadcasters may be the critical path to 3D in the home. Broadcasters just invested in major upgrades for high-definition television and are reluctant to spend more money on infrastructure to explore 3-D technology. In the end,  consumers will be the judge in the the sales growth of 3D ready LCDTVs.