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General discussion

3D movie glasses -- question

Jun 13, 2009 2:24AM PDT

My son and I went to see Up! yesterday. They gave us nice plastic 3D glasses, each sealed in a plastic bag. It was my first modern 3D movie. Afterwards, they collected the glasses on the way out -- my son, who saw Bolt and other recent 3D movies with his father, was not surprised that they collected them, but I had questions, and have even more after doing a Google search about this topic:
--do they hand them out again? If so, do they clean them first or am I possibly wearing glasses that were on someone else's face?
--what I read on the internet says that some theaters are charging for glasses, some movie studios are forcing theaters to charge for them, some theaters are refusing to show movies in 3D after going to the expense of getting the rest of the technology in place, only to find that the studios are not providing the glasses but expecting people to pay for them.

To me, I guess I'd like my own pair. I wish I'd asked if I could keep them last night, I'd just bring them to each movie and not have to worry about being charged extra or wearing glasses that sat on someone else's mug.

I wondered if anyone knows about this. I'd like to learn more, it seems like more and more movies are coming out in 3D.

Discussion is locked

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well, those issues pretty much cover it; future...
Jun 13, 2009 2:59AM PDT

well, those issues pretty much cover it; future...

Yeah, there is a tug-of-war between the movie studios and the theaters on who is going to pay for the glasses and you pretty much covered the range of issues. In the end, it seems like the cost is or is going to be passed to the consumer as a separate purchase.

I think 3D movies is going to be the big direction as theaters look to maintain revenue. Because of this, production/consumption of scale will probably make the glasses commonplace at theaters within a few years. When you go to the theater, you'll just remind yourself "don't forget the glasses"...

I see a few options:
1) Buy your own from an online outlet, the movie theater, Best Buy, WalMart, etc. Then, just don't forget them when you go to the movies Happy
2) Movie theaterss can rent out "nice" glasses that are cleaned between uses - addresses if you don't want to buy or forgot your own.
3) To compete with renting them, make them especially cheap that can be sold at the theaters - addresses if forgot your own.

I'd really like to know what companies produce the glasses...

Best,
Shalin

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Agreed
Jun 14, 2009 11:21PM PDT

Yeah, we were charged the surcharge for watching UP, and then at the end they want the glasses back as part of their "green" program. Needless to say they did not get mine. Had they reimbursed the surcharge, that might have been another story. I do plan on bringing them to the next movie (if we even go), but wonder if they will try to charge us anyway.

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At least they collected yours...
Jun 15, 2009 2:45AM PDT

I have now been to Bolt and Monsters V Aliens in the same 3D system - I now have four glasses (mine and partner). No collection bins at the exit of the film, no suggestion at the ticket office that I could use my own glasses and not pay all the surcharge! If these films are going to become more common, they really, and I mean REALLY need to consider the conscientious cinemagoer who can bring their own, or a collection system that is compulsory if you pay a reduced surcharge. The current system is not yet sustainable.

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(NT) could you resell the extra glasses at the theater steps? ;)
Jun 15, 2009 3:49AM PDT
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why not just bring your old ones then...
Jun 17, 2009 9:36PM PDT

and dont take new ones... theyre just polarized lenses so they should work for any of the movies...

-karl

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I did pay for them! My ticket was 14 bucks!
Jun 17, 2009 9:34PM PDT

lol. i kept mine. eff that! for 14 bucks Im keepin em! Wink

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Options would be nice
Jul 31, 2009 1:27PM PDT

The reason you need to pay a sir-charge is that RealD charge the cinema a $15,000AUD license fee every 5 yrs + they have to pay them $0.50 AUD commission per ticket sale.

They cinema would have to purchase the glasses and onsell to the end user, and circular polarised glasses are not cheap to manufaturer like the linear polarised or red / cyan anaglyph glasses. Check the prices yourself around the net and you will see what I mean.

However I also cannot see why they could not let you reuse you own glasses from the last movie your saw for say a $0.50 - $1.00 reduction in ticket price.

Indepentant cinema ownes have this option but I don't think your will see the chain cinemas doing it. It's in the too hard basket.

They could wash them and reuse but this also has it's problems.

Only Dolby 3D cinema's do this as their glasses are worth $50 USD EA.

On another note hang onto your glasses as you should be able to use them at home in about 2 - 5yrs time.

The other option is wait till it comes out in 3D DVD but that just anit as good as polarized, and some of the 3D movies at the cinema will not be released in 3D on DVD.

If you need to know which glasses to use for what 3D DVD's, "in case you want to got that way" I found this link in a quick seach on google.com.au, has a few interesting faqs as well.

http://www.oz3d.com.au/downloads/3D_Movie_List_Anaglyph_Format.pdf

PS I personally think the extra $3 is worth the additional entertainment. 3D Movie dependant.

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Glasses cost
Aug 30, 2009 1:01AM PDT

In all the movie theaters I've went to the price for a 3D movie is the same as a regular movie. Glasses are included and we get to keep them.

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Eyes
Nov 13, 2009 11:24PM PST

I like to see 3d Movies. Are 3D movies bad for my eyes?

Note: This post was edited by forum moderator to remove spam url on 12/03/2010 on 9:23 AM PT

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Personal 3D movie glasses.
Dec 3, 2010 12:21AM PST

There was a resent study done in England, stating that although the theater given glasses are packaged an look new when you receive them, they are actually crawling with bacteria.
This scares me, I hate those glasses anyway. They make me not want to see 3D movies.
I stumbled upon this site, www.delreyandco.com, They sell personal 3D movie glasses for $25. They look really nice. I can't handle the other glasses anymore. I'm going to buy these as soon as I can so I can start enjoying my 3D movie experience.

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My new carry items.
Dec 3, 2010 1:23AM PST

With more travel I think this may assuage some fears. I carry a pen style hand cleanser antiviral etc. spray and one of those pocket tissue packs.

It may seem "Howard Hughes" but I am not adverse to taking out a tissue to spray and wipe down surfaces I feel need it.
Bob

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i bought my own pair of 3D glasses to use in cine
Jan 11, 2011 12:29AM PST

i bought a pair of "Bnext3D" 3D glasses to use in cine and i couldnt see anything!
so i googled it and i understood what was the problem, when i bought the glasses ive been asked in which cinema i will be using them and i ended up going to the same movie in a different cine
so its not the movie! its the cine that makes the difference! so make sure to ask all the questions before you but one and make sure to ask the cinemas owner about his theaters!

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Prescription 3D glasses
Jan 12, 2011 12:54AM PST

I have similar issues, I do not want to wear the same old (possibly recycled) glasses that everyone else was wearing. I have an additional problem, i wear glasses so wearing 2 pairs of glasses sucks. I found a company that makes custom prescription 3D glasses they seem to have a waiting list for their 3D glasses but might be worth checking out. hope this helps

http://rx3doptics.com/

evilmonkey