Here's a happy fact: 3D-capable HDTVs now cost little more than their non-3D counterparts.
Here's another happy fact: 3D-capable Blu-ray players now cost little more than their non-3D counterparts.
And, finally, a sad fact: You can't rent 3D movies from Netflix. Or your local Redbox kiosk. Nor can you stream or download them from Amazon, Netflix, or iTunes.
Vudu - Watch Movies.
So now what? What good is the gear if there's no content? Turns out there are a few sources that can deliver 3D goodness to your home, either through the mail or over the Interwebs. Here are your options:
3D-BlurayRental.com
If there's a movie that's been released on 3D Blu-ray, chances are good 3D-BlurayRental.com will have it. This movies-by-mail service charges between $4.99 and $7.99 for most rentals, two-way postage included. After you receive your disc, you have seven days to watch the movie. If it's not postmarked by that seventh day, the service will charge an extra $2 per day until you send it back.
Until Netflix and/or Redbox get their 3D act together, this is arguably the best and most affordable way to obtain 3D Blu-ray movies.
Comcast Xfinity 3D
If you're a Comcast HD subscriber and you have a current set-top box, check your on-demand options. I found about two dozen recent 3D releases available for rental, including 'Captain America,' 'Hugo,' 'Happy Feet 2,' and 'Immortals.' Each one will cost you $6.99. (Comcast also offers a few channels that provide 24/7 3D content, including ESPN 3D.)
Sony PlayStation Network
The Sony PlayStation 3 might just be the ultimate 3D-TV companion. It's not only a 3D-capable Blu-ray player, but also a movie streamer that can pull content from both Sony's library (which includes a smattering of 3D movies and games) and Vudu (see below).
I don't own a PS3, so I don't have pricing or selection info. (E-mails to Sony's PR department went unanswered.) If you're a PS3 user, perhaps you can share some details in the comments.
Vudu
This Wal-Mart-owned movie-streaming service has yet to really catch on against the likes of Amazon and Netflix, but it currently has one of the largest 3D-movie catalogs anywhere -- an impressive 50 titles at last count.
Unfortunately, many of the titles are available only for purchase, with prices typically set at $21.99. And a lot of the best 3D flicks aren't there, including 'Despicable Me' and 'Hugo.'
For my money, the smart way to enjoy 3D at home is to rent or buy 3D Blu-ray discs. That affords you not only the best picture and sound quality, but also the widest selection.
Have you found a better source for 3D movies? Tell me about it in the comments. And if you've tried any of the four options mentioned here, let me know how they worked out.
Are you looking for best free 3D video players? Or, want a professional but easy to use program to make 3D movies? Or you just need some tips to convert your 3D movies? Check this zone, you will find all solutions to play and edit 3D videos.
3D Video
Top Websites to Rent 3D Videos Online
Now that you have your 3D TV set up, you need to find content to play on it. There are several ways that you can go about doing that. Whether you choose to buy DVDs, download content, or rent movies, you’ll find an increasing number of 3D content sources available. Several sites allow you to rent movies by mail or stream them straight to your computer. Let’s look at ten websites that allow you to get 3D content.
1. My Cheap Movie
Don’t let the title fool you, this site is rich with 3D content, mostly in the form of BluRay movies. You can find movies in a number of categories, including documentary, action, drama, comedy, family-friendly, animation, horror and thriller, mystery, romance, science fiction and fantasy, and TV shows. All you have to do is select the titles you wish and load them to your account. The folks at My Cheap Movie will mail you your videos, which you will receive in 1-3 business days. Watch them as often as you wish in the next five days, then just mail them back in the postage paid envelope. Then, pick out the next ones you want to watch from the 3D videos online catalog.
2. UVerse
The first of our streaming on demand services is powered by AT & T. UVerse uses MPEG-4 coding and a high-tech box that receives the stream from UVerse via internet protocol, instead of cable like other services use. You can view video on demand or use it for regular television viewing. It is limited by market availability, but if you are able to find it, you get state of the art video functions and supreme video quality. Monthly subscription is required, and some promotional rates may require a long-term contract.
3. Family Video
This chain of video and game rental stores is available in 19 states and Canadian provinces. Membership is done in-store, and new members get half off their rentals for the first month. FV does not offer online sign-ups at this time. Each store maintains its own membership information. You can pick up the movie you want in-store and return it within the rental time, then just pick out another one.
4. Sony Entertainment Network
Sony has their own 3D section on their entertainment network that streams movies directly to the PlayStation 3 via their Video Unlimited service. The system allows you to search the list and pick out the movie you want. There you can select movies like the Hobbit series, Oz, The Amazing SpiderMan, the Avengers, and Monsters, Inc., and have them streamed back to your PS3.
5. Vudu
This Walmart service allows you to rent 3D movies and TV shows easily. You can rent your selection for 24 hours with unlimited plays during that time. You must be able to connect to the internet and download your content. You can go through the house wifi, or you can use a different cable frequency than your TV does, called MoCA, to get your movies. Each movie has a different price, based on the picture quality (SD, HD, etc.) and if it is being rented or rented to own. Movies start at .99 each.
6. Comcast
The cable internet and television giant now offers 3D on their on demand service, including HBO movies. Select markets might also have a 3D channel available with content available all the time, including movies, TV shows, and sports. This channel is found on the HD tiers. Movies include the LEGO Movie, Man of Steel, and Gravity. You do need to be a Comcast subscriber in order to take advantage of this service.
Download Free 3d Movies Online
7. BluRay Rental
Download 3d Movies For 3d Glasses
This online service lets you rent BluRay and 3D BluRay movies, and they have a suggestion box to recommend a movie you’d like to be able to rent from them. The service also offers customer comments so you can get reviews from peers. BluRay Rental tries to get new releases in stock the day they are released, so you can see them when they are still new. Register and get an account online, then just start searching for videos. The computer review site CNET says this is one of the best in terms of catalog on the internet to rent 3D movies from.
8. Amazon
The internet’s biggest store now offers 3D movies, both for sale and for streaming on the Prime instant video service. Many of their offerings are in the BluRay format. Amazon also sells the players to be able to watch the videos on when you get them at home, making it a convenient one-stop shop. To rent movies on Prime, you will need to register on Amazon and pay the Prime registration cost. You can do 3D video streaming through a number of devices, but you will still need a 3D capable TV to see the 3D resolution. You’ll also be able to keep track of your films in the Amazon video library, so you can go back and find favorites easily.
9. 3D Party
This service is all about renting just 3D movies. You can choose from three different plans that you pay for by the month that let you keep one, two, or three discs at a given time. Shipping the DVDs both directions is free. You can also rent movies individually for about $5 - $8 and keep them for two weeks from the day they were shipped. Pick the movies you like from the catalog and they will ship out the next business day.
So there you have it – ten of the best sites to use to either rent 3D movies or do 3D video streaming. As the number of titles increases, these sites are also likely to be able to keep up with the demand, so you’ll never run out of fun things to watch.