If I purchase a new 3D set do I need to purchase a new 3D Blu-ray player to see 3D Blu-ray disks in 3D?
Yes (with one exception). The new 3D Blu-ray technology encodes difference (between left image and right image) in a separate video signal. Circuitry/firmware is needed to recover that signal, reconstruct the right image (the left image is recorded normally on the disk) and “pack” the left and right images in a single frame as the 3D HDMI signal. If you play a 3D Blu-ray disk on an older (2D) Blu-ray player and view that on a new 3D set, you will just get a 2D (usually left) image. However, many 3D sets do have a 3D simulation function, so 2D program material can have a “pseudo 3D” effect. The single exception is that Sony has made 3D Blu-ray upgrade for the PS3 thisfall. This will allow the new 3D Blu-ray discs to be played on a new 3D TV using an upgraded PS3. This is possible because the PS3 uses a powerful cell processor as opposed to dedicated chips. It is not likely that any traditional Blu-ray players will be able to be upgraded for 3D.
