Ask our Expert

Should I buy a 3D TV?

Our digital TV expert says...

TVs have evolved massively in the past few years and high-definition (HD) is no longer the luxury it once was - for example, all new Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) customers get the V HD box as standard to let them watch in super-sharp quality.

But to take advantage of Virgin Media’s HD service or the 50+ high-definition channels offered by Sky (www.sky.com), you need a HD TV as well as a high-definition service.

Buying a new TV

If you're forking out for a new TV set, you might want to future-proof your technology by throwing in 3D capabilities too.

This doesn’t have to be as costly as you might think. For example, at the time of writing you could get a Panasonic Viera from John Lewis for £499 with the following specifications:

• 42in screen
• 1080p - the highest quality HD image
• 3D-ready
• Freeview HD built-in
• Five-year guarantee

What can you watch in 3D?

Once you buy a 3D TV, you're going to want to make the most of your shiny new toy.

While you can get an increasing number of 3D movies, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Despicable Me and that classic, StreetDance 3D, you'll need a compatible Blu-ray player as well.

If you're a Sky, Virgin Media or BT Vision (www.btvision.bt.com) with the right set-top box, you'll also be able to access 3D content from your provider.

Because Sky offers the UK’s only dedicated 3D channel, aptly named Sky 3D, it is the clear winner if you want to watch as much 3D TV as possible.

However, you can only access the channel if you take the Sky World package - with every channel plus the HD Pack - for £63.25 a month.

While there isn’t a huge amount of 3D content available at the moment, Sky 3D does give you access to live sporting events such as Champions League football and US Open Tennis, as well as blockbuster movies Alice in Wonderland and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

You also get a range of “entertainment highlights” including Kylie 3D: Aphrodite Les Folies, Britain and Ireland from the Sky and Flying Monsters - with more titles being added all the time.

Although Virgin Media and BT Vision don’t offer dedicated 3D channels, you can rent 3D movies for £5.99 for 24 hours with both providers.

Remember though - no matter which supplier or service you're signed up to, you'll need a 3D TV and glasses to make the most of that extra dimension.

TV, broadband and phone packages

Company	Package Name	Channels	Broadband	Home Phone
	Sky Entertainment TV + HD + Sky Broadband Unlimited + Talk Freetime	Get channels like Sky 1, Sky Living, Sky Atlantic and more
	TV Essential + More Broadband and Calls	70 Freeview channels
	TV: L + Broadband: 30Mb + Phone: M	100 channels including Virgin 1, Sky1, Comedy Central, Bravo and many more

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at ourexpert@digitalchoices.co.uk