When I was about 11 years old, we got our first color television. It was a big deal (and a big TV). The 25-inch console TV became the focal point of our living room. Dad engrossed himself in the newly colorful splendor of Bonanza, and for me, when The Wizard of Oz magically morphed from black and white to the saturated colors of Oz, I no longer had to imagine the ruby slippers; the green of the Emerald City. They were real. Television series, too, took on 
added dimension and the NBC peacock flashed its rainbow-like paintbrush tail feathers at the start of every episode of every series.
Every few years since then, innovations altered the TV picture, giving us more, bigger, and better—sharper pictures, bigger screens, multi-channel sound capabilities, and more input/output ports than even the most ardent A/V club member could have hoped for 10 years ago. But now comes the latest and advance, and one with perhaps the most potential: 3D TV.
In the not so distant past, you had to venture to the local IMAX theater or Disneyworld to experience 3D media at its best. High definition TV presents a great home theater 3D simulation; I'm still wowed watching those great National Geographic TV specials and blockbuster movies on my rather modest high defnition TV. But 3D brings (as it were) an entirely new dimension to the 
home viewing experience. And the experience is as near as your remote control and "active shutter" 3D glasses.
The lure of 3D viewing is that it immerses you right into the action, whether you're in the IMAX, a conventional movie theater or your own living room recliner. The classic out-of-control train barreling through the screen and into your lap is what you might think of when imagining the 3D experience, paper red and green lensed glasses propped shakily on your nose.
Article comments
1 - Jerome Wetzel
Oooo, the Kobayashi Maru would be cool. I, for one, am waiting for the holodecks. I doubt I'll live to see a platform where you can interact with solid figures, like in Star Trek, but an immersive 3-D experience, surrounding you, and without glasses, can't be too far off.