Looking for Avatar in 3D? Look to Panasonic

The biggest blockbuster in history is already available on Blu-ray in two versions, but if you're looking for the supposed "ultimate" version of James Cameron's "Avatar" you'll have to visit your local Panasonic dealer to find it.

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That's because the Japanese electronics giant has snagged the rights to the 3D Blu-ray version of "Avatar", elbowing out the other manufacturers and making an end run around video stores. Panasonic is bundling the 3D Blu-ray with its Viera Full 3D Plasma TV's as part of a promotion that can also feature an instant rebate, two pairs of Panasonic rechargeable 3D eyewear (the darn glasses) and a Panasonic BDT-100 Blu-ray disc player. If you're an early adopter of 3D reading this with increasing alarm because you're not about to shell out for another system just to get "Avatar" in 3D, relax: Panasonic also says current owners of their Viera 3D TV's can get a copy of the disc – and for free! If you're an early adopter who didn't buy a Panasonic, however, it appears you're out of luck. For now, at least. I'm sure Fox doesn't think it's made enough money off of "Avatar" quite yet, so I think there'll be a mainstream 3D release sometime later. Meanwhile, Panasonic is billing its promotion, valued at $400 U.S., as the "Panasonic 3D Full HD Ultimate Pack" and, if you purchase a Panasonic Viera VT or GT series model of full HD 3D plasma TV's, it means they'll toss in the "Avatar" 3D Blu-ray and two pairs of glasses. Participating dealers are also offering a "Panasonic System Solution Bundle" promotion through January 1 in which customers who buy a Panasonic VIERA VT or GT series full HD 3D TV can also get a Panasonic DMP-BDT100 3D Blu-ray player worth $249.95, or an instant rebate worth the same amount you can put toward the purchase of a Panasonic SC-BTT350 3D Home Theater In-A-Box audio system (SRP $499.95). Both promotions run simultaneously, just in time for Christmas (which I'm sure is a coincidence) and basically sweeten the deal if you're thinking about making the leap to 3D TV via Panasonic's line of excellent plasma TVs. I haven't  seen "Avatar" in 3D on Blu-ray but I did see it in 3D IMAX and was disappointed. I had expected more stuff coming out of the screen toward the audience but, as with most 3D TV and video I've seen, it's more a case of the audience looking through a window (the TV screen) onto a 3D world beyond (though you do get the odd thing poking out at you). That isn't necessarily a bad thing, and I've seen some pretty compelling home video and nature documentary stuff in 3D. But with "Avatar," I found the 3D to be more of a distraction than an enhancement and, despite the high resolution and huge screen size of IMAX, I enjoyed the movie more when I watched the 2D Blu-ray in my 106 inch front projection home theater. I'd love to see the 3D version in my home theater, to see how it measures up, but not enough to replace my two year old Epson front projector with a 3D one. Still, if you're in the market, this seems like a heckuva way to get your 3D library started, and the stuff Panasonic's throwing in is a pretty good incentive as well. Not only that, but in my experience Panasonic's plasmas, even their 2D ones, are terrific, so it isn't as if you'd be slumming just to get "Avatar." My advice? Get the biggest screen you can afford – or can fit into your room! I'm hooked on the richness of the plasma TVs picture (2D or 3D) and if I could afford a 106 incher to replace my projector (and if it would fit down the stairs to my home theater, which it wouldn't), I'd be watching "Avatar" in 3D right now – and you'd be spared from having to read my rants! Say what you will about Cameron's CG epic, it's a stunning technical achievement and a ripping yarn as long as you haven't seen "Dances with Wolves" recently. And as mentioned, it looks fantastic on Blu-ray, even in 2D. If you haven't experienced 3D yet, and care about it, I recommend sallying forth to your local electronics outlet for a demo. Most of the ones in my neck of the woods have such demos set up, though they're often pretty lousy and won't give you the best look you could get. But it's better than nothing. You can sometimes find better demos. Panasonic and Sony have both done road show-type demos at a variety of venues, with a travelling road show designed to showcase 3D in a better light. I saw Sony's at the Honda Indy Edmonton race last summer, and Panasonic is just wrapping up its "Unwrap 3D Tour," a two week, 14 city tour of U.S. malls, in which they gave consumers a chance to experience 3D under controlled conditions meant to show off the technology at its best. I didn't see this specific Pansonic demo, but I've seen others and they're quite compelling. And while I haven't seen a video game in 3D yet, I can see how they could be a real blast, especially if it's a driving simulator or first person shooter. But while the industry talks big about the potential for 3D – with TV and live sports events as well as movies, I'm still not convinced it's going to catch on, especially as long as you have to buy expensive glasses to exploit it. Broadcasters can spew all the 3D movies, TV programs and sports events they want but, at about two hundred bucks a pop for the glasses, who other than the particularly well-heeled is going to shell out for a dozen sets just so they can throw a Superbowl or Indy 500 party, then have the glasses sit in the home theater gathering dust the rest of the time? It just doesn't make sense. Of course, I've been wrong before. Heck, I thought we'd all be watching laserdiscs by now! Copyright 2010 Jim Bray TechnoFile.com