3D Glasses – Your Ultimate Guide

Firstly, I’ve got to sympathize with you. Why? Because you were obviously unlucky not to have secured yourself a pair of 3D Glasses when you bought your new 3D TV.

If the latter statement was not true, you’d be comfortably sitting in front of your new 3D TV enjoying some great 3D video instead of reading this article.

If this applies to you, and you are unsure as to what to look out for when on the hunt for 3D glasses, don’t worry, as you’re going to learn all there is to know here. This article will not only tell you all about 3D glasses, but will also help you in deciding which 3D glasses are perfect for you.

You obviously already know what 3D glasses are. Remember? You just bought a 3D TV. So let’s skip the definition part and move on to the different kinds of 3D glasses available.

Which kinds of 3D glasses are available in the market?
There are two main kinds of 3D glasses available in the market, active and passive 3D glasses.

Passive 3D Glasses: These glasses do not require any power source. Yes, no batteries, no recharging.  There are currently two kinds of passive 3D glasses, anaglyph and polarized.

Anaglyph 3D glasses are the simplest and most basic type of 3D glasses. Though these glasses do indeed deliver a somewhat 3D effect, I personally feel that we’re being a bit unjust to 3D technology when we classify them as true 3D glasses.

Polarized 3D Glasses

Polarized 3D glasses again have two types, linear and circular polarized glasses.

If you’re using linear polarized 3D glasses, you have to keep your head in a vertical position. This is so because in linear 3D glasses one eye sees the vertical polarized image, while the horizontal polarized image is seen by the other eye. So if the head loses its vertical position, problems in viewing the double polarized image on the screen occur.

The good news about circular polarized 3D glasses is that they don’t have any such problem, but the bad news is that they can only be used with a small number of 3D TV’s.

Active 3D Glasses: These glasses need a power source to operate. They also require a synchronization mechanism to synchronize the glasses to the display on the screen.

The most common and widely used active 3D glasses are shutter glasses. These glasses have LCD lenses that open and shut alternatively. This enables each eye to see a different image. Previously, a wire was used to supply power to the glasses and synchronize them to the display. Nowadays, batteries are used to provide power, and infrared beams are employed to aid in synchronization.

Which ones are best for me? Active or passive?
Both active and passive 3D glasses have their pros and cons. Passive 3D glasses are relatively cheaper, so you won’t have to spend an absolute fortune if you’re buying glasses for the entire family. But, of course, passive 3D glasses don’t deliver the kind of 3D effect achieved through active 3D glasses.

Active 3D glasses have their drawbacks also. They obviously cost more than passive 3D glasses, but that’s not a very big deal. Moreover, they need a power source, but that could also be managed without much hassle. The biggest drawback in active 3D glasses is that their continued use for long periods of time results in eye fatigue. They’ve also been known to cause severe headache in certain cases. Passive 3D glasses cause no such problem, and you can continuously use them for long periods of time.

What should I look out for when buying 3D glasses?
There’s not really anything specific to look out for when you’re hunting 3D glasses. Just remember to buy the correct size. They normally come in three sizes, small, medium and large. Many universal 3D glasses are available that are compatible with most 3D TVS, but it’s better to buy 3D glasses of the same brand as your TV. Keep the sensitivity of your eyes in mind while choosing the type of your glasses. It’s advisable for people with very sensitive eyes to go for passive 3D glasses.

I’m in a fix. Suggest some makes and models.
Still unable to decide? Here are some makes and models that might be suitable for you:

Active 3D Glasses (recommended type):

Sony TDG-BR250 – active shutter (for around £48)

Samsung SSG-2200A/XC (for around £65)

Panasonic TY-ew3D2ME (for around £90)

Samsung SSG-3700CR/XC (for around £100)

Passive 3D Glasses:

Hama 3D Polarized Glasses (for around £8)

Thumbs Up 3D Polarized Glasses (for around £13)

Polaroid 3D Glasses 11 3D Fashion cover N8102 A (for around £30)