To buy the best 3D television, consumers should look for a set that provides multiple interface ports for connecting media devices and is Internet capable. This type of television also requires shutter glasses and a transmitter to create the illusion of the picture rising up out of the screen. These additional items can greatly increase the cost of investing in 3D technology, and consumers may want to purchase a model that includes these features in the base price.
3D television allows viewers to feel like they are inside the picture being shown. These televisions use either a 240 hertz LCD or LED display or fast plasma combined with shutter style glasses which the user must wear that causes the image to appear to leave the screen. Some television manufacturers offer one pair of glasses complimentary with the purchase of the unit and require that additional pairs be bought separately. This is not true for every manufacturer, and consumers may wish to search for a unit that does include these glasses, as they tend to run high in price for each pair.
Users who plan to play a variety of media on their 3D television should examine how many ports are available on the units they are considering for purchase. These televisions typically will include at least one HDMI port, A/V port, and USB port. Consumers who have multiple media playback devices will want to utilize as many ports as possible and toggle between them using the television remote. This type of user should purchase a television with at least two of each type of port so that they don't have to get up and switch their cables manually every time they want to change devices.
Consumers will find an extensive network of uses available for their 3D television sets by purchasing a model with an internet interface. A few manufacturers have created a web interface for their televisions that provides access to different web applications. These applications allow users to quickly and easily access instant television streaming sites without connecting to their computers. They can also link to social networking sites, constant news feeds, weather updates, and personal online photo galleries.
A 3D television requires the use of a 3D transmitter, which synchronizes the frame rate of the television with the shutter speed of the viewing glasses. These transmitters, when sold separately, can become expensive, and also require the use of one of the television set's interface ports. Consumers may find it cost saving to purchase a unit which either includes a transmitter with the price of the set, or has integrated a transmitter into the television already so that no further calibration is required. Integrated transmitters, however, typically require that users purchase their shutter glasses from the manufacturer to guarantee that the two devices will work together.