Heading into the second decade of the 21st century, you could sum up the hottest, most talked about trend in entertainment technology with one word: 3D.
Between the Titanic-sinking box-office take of James Cameron's Avatar (more than $2 billion worldwide), the number of upcoming 3D film releases and the buzz over TV manufacturers' 3D-capable products at last month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, it's safe to say people will be getting their fill of 3D in 2010. And Sony Canada wants to be one of the first to give the 3D experience to consumers.
Yesterday, Sony began demonstrating its 3D-capable LCD HDTVs in select Sony Style stores across the country, giving consumers a first-hand look at the emerging home entertainment technology.
Kicking off in Toronto and Vancouver, and starting in Montreal tomorrow, the brand aims to build excitement for the summer release of its new line of HD 3D Bravia TVs. Sony said the Canadian demo effort is an extension of its "make.believe" global brand message, which aims to reflect the company's innovative spirit and show people that "seeing is believing."
"Until now, consumers haven't had many opportunities to see what a 3D TV entertainment experience at home would be like," said Sony Canada spokesperson Candice Hayman in an e-mail to Marketing, pointing out that CES attendees were limited to media and dealers.
"With the success of movies like Avatar [filmed with Sony professional 3D cameras], we're seeing proof that there's a consumer appetite for 3D. Sony is leading the way in all aspects of 3D content creation and hardware, and now we're showing consumers what to expect from the 3D entertainment experience at home."
It remains to be seen whether the excitement and box-office buzz of 3D will translate into TV sales. And while major manufacturers like Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic did their best at CES to tout these latest products as the future of home entertainment, there has been plenty of skepticism.
Critics point to the recession and the fact many consumers are just now buying in to HD technology, as signs that this latest 3D push could prove to be a flop.
Sony said its demos will expand to stores in Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Richmond, B.C. in the coming weeks.
