Did you know that everything you would normally watch on your regular TV you can also watch on a 3D TV? In fact, it’s even better! This may come as a surprise to a lot of people who are under the impression that you can only use a 3D TV to watch the 3D content that has been released. When you watch regular 2D TV on a 3D TV, you don’t need to wear your 3D glasses and you won’t see 3D effects. What you will see is the best looking 2D pictures possible, thanks to the technological advancements required to create a 3D display.

So even if 3D content is unlikely to be a part of your everyday TV viewing, purchasing a 3DTV will actually enrich your 2D viewing experience. If you’re in the market for a TV right now and you want amazing picture quality with your 2D movies and television broadcasts - you should definitely consider a 3D model. Displaying 3D requires a sophisticated, responsive TV screen. The extra processing required for good contrast, black level and motion response brings outstanding picture quality to 2D content.

The best Full-HD TV models use fast-switching phosphor technology to produce sharp, high-resolution television images.

The effect this has on 3D image display is a reduction in afterglow and the capability to deliver clear high-resolution 3D without double images.

This brilliant technology improves the 2D image display because blurriness on image contours is reduced, thus rendering clear, detailed 2D images. The frame sequential technology of Full-HD 3D requires images to be displayed at a high rate which is twice as fast as the requirement for ordinary Full-HD images. The high-speed processing that is so essential for 3D means that rich gradation is also achieved for 2D display. This produces vivid colouring with a tonal expression that approaches the levels we see in nature.

In spite of the rise of 3D TVs in the market place, it can be difficult to judge the quality of the 2D display they have to offer. A very simple method is to ensure that the model you purchase has THX certification.

So why is THX certification a guarantee of the highest quality? The process was actually born out of film director George Lucas’s relentless drive for perfection and a desire for cinema-goers to experience his films exactly as he envisioned. From his own audio and studio facilities, Lucas and his THX team designed a certification process that revolutionised commercial cinemas through a set of standards that covered design, audio and visual set-up. THX has now expanded to the point where the very best home entertainment products can be tested and receive certification if they meet the exceedingly high standards. For a 3D TV to be THX certified, it must undergo more than 400 stringent laboratory tests, designed to evaluate every element of image quality and signal processing. What’s more, outstanding 2D performance is required to receive THX 3D Display certification. So if you choose a model with the THX stamp of approval, you know your display will produce both 2D and 3D images with cinema-like quality.

When considering 3DTVs, some people are put off by a lack of 3D content. However, a new shift in television technology is closing this gap nicely. By choosing a model that features 2D to 3D conversion, it is possible to view 3D images from 2D sources, such as TV programs, movies, Blu-ray Disc and DVD, along with personal photos and videos.

You can even calibrate the amount of 3D you want, making it comfortable for all to view. With a medium/strong calibration, the data for each screen is picked up in single pixel units and the optimal depth is set in advance for each scene. If you prefer a more mild 3D option, depth can be produced simply by ‘curving’ the centre of the screen.

3DTV is even now proving its worth far beyond broadcast and movie possibilities. The biggest push in this respect is from avid gamers who have embraced 3D video games that are far more exciting on a huge Full-HD 3D TV than they ever could be on a PC. More than 500 3D video games are currently available, with that number increasing rapidly. Another exciting move for 3D content production is the recent advance in 3D cameras and camcorders, putting 3D content creation in the hands of the consumer. You don’t need to wait for the latest 3D Blu-ray titles to become available, when you could be recording your own 3D images and videos and then sliding the SD card into your TV for editing and playback.

One of the greatest reasons for purchasing a 3D TV right now is the competition between companies to produce the very best in each category. This means that the current crop of high-end 3D televisions boasts more than great image technology, you will also benefit from a range of extras, including:

• Internet TV capabilities

• DLNA networking

• Wi-Fi connectivity

• USB ports – giving you access to amazing perks like pausing and recording live TV

You also get the very best in design research, ensuring that your new 3DTV will be a stylish addition to your home.