Forrester Research analyst calls 3D reports "mostly hype"

James McQuivey, Forrester Research analyst and VP, has weighed in on all the 3D tech and news floating about, and has labeled it nothing more than "hype", citing that not even one million US homes in 2010 will own a 3D capable television.

"If it took 10 years for HD to go from one home to reach more than half the US population, it will take 3D just as long," he wrote over on paidContent.org (via IndustryGamers). "Which is an easy bet to make. The real trick is figuring out how long we languish in the low-single-digit millions.

"First more 3D content has to be created—that means new (expensive) cameras, new satellite uplink infrastructure for live sporting events, and an entirely new cable infrastructure to consume more bandwidth to deliver Full HD 3D content (where each eye sees a unique 1080p 3D image).

"And if you think consumers are reeling from the effects of a down economy, you don’t want to sit in that meeting where you explain to a fatigued cable network or cable operator that after just completing a massive transition to HD, they now have to go 3DHD. Ouch."

However, McQuivey feels that "gaming is the ideal environment for 3D—gameheads stare straight at the screen in immersive gameplay for hours".

"That’s why gaming will lead in 3D," he concluded.

Earlier today at CES, where loads of 3D tech is floating about, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg pointed out that for 3D to become mainstream, certain criteria was required, adding that “3D is great in the theater, but for the living room? I think we’re a long ways away from that.”