Earlier this year one of the biggest technology events in the world of TV took place. The first 3DTVs went on sale in the United Kingdom.

They had already been on sale in the US and Japan for many months, and as expected the price for a new 3DTV was not cheap. The price of the first 3DTV released cost a huge £1,799 and there are also a lot of other bits of kit needed to get the set up right. For example a pair of 3D glasses for the system cost £150, a 3D Blu-ray DVD player is another £350 and a compatible HDMI cable will cost around £50. At that price it is advisable to inform the household insurance company of the extra contents in the home.

It may well be the future of television in this country, but getting there is not going to be cheap. Sky are showing sport in selective pubs around the country and they hope to have a 3D channel soon. Video gaming is another area where there’ll be a lot of 3D content available in the future, and this is seen by some in the industry as a key driver of 3D TV sales. Forecasts are for only modest sales during the first year but once the content improves and the price comes down, sales will improve.

But it is not all good news for 3DTV after the world’s largest electronics firm highlighted potential dangers the technology may pose to pregnant women, the elderly, children and also anyone with serious medical conditions. The manufacturer warned of an array of possible side effects viewers may suffer. They claim the devices may trigger epileptic fits or cause problems which can range from altered vision, dizziness, sickness, cramps, and even involuntary movements such as eye and muscle twitching. Anyone who has been deprived of sleep or anyone who has been drinking alcohol is also being advised to not watch a 3D television.

The technology was given a boost by blockbuster films such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland being made in 3D. To view content in 3D, special glasses need to be worn which bombard the eyes and brain with a succession of flashing images that will appear for just a fraction of a second. The technology puts unusual strain on the body, so viewers will need to take regular breaks to prevent suffering from the side effects. Watching television while wearing the 3D glasses for long periods of time can cause headache or fatigue. If this happens it would be a good idea to stop and rest.