the glaring issue that the author chooses to ignore is that you can get these movies online without the timed exclusivity.

I figured that had to be the case. I mean, unless we were using patently different kinds of 3D display technologies altogether, there would be no possible way that the Blu-Ray would be able to identify what kind of TV it was on, and in effect lock you out.

Unless we're getting into a scary new world of total manufacturer control or something.

Just to clarify, I went to Amazon too and the confusion is that there are Blu Ray 3D releases and then regular red/blue glasses 3D releases.  When it comes to Blu Ray 3D, I only counted 1 actual theatrical movie that is available for purchase NOW and that is Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.  I saw two more coming by November.

As far as article, I didn't see anywhere in the article that it states that they are programmed to only work on a certain manufacturers Blu Ray player or 3DTV.  It only stated that individuals will be BLOCKED from OWNING said movies unless they purchase a respective TV or Blu Ray player.  Its a factually correct article and yes, the situation IS that bad.

Yeah, the author of the article doesn't explain the matter very well and it even seems like he is purposely trying to mislead the readers, but if you look it's there (barely).

"...the (3D TV) manufacturer gets the exclusive rights to distribute that movie."
"So anyone who buys a non-Panasonic 3D TV will be systematically blocked out of owning the 3D movie that defined the entire 3D genre. At least for now."

Maybe I should have said "The article should be saying..." :)

Where?  I'm not being facetious, I just haven't seen them available anywhere like that.  I have friends that have the equipment and are frustrated by not being able to buy these movies so any links would help (don't say Amazon because they're not there).  Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-House-Blu-ray-3D-Version/dp/B003XJABU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1284405248&sr=8-1

what's that other post about with red-blue glasses 3d?

OOOhhh, I see now.

Yes, the bluray 3d movies only has cloudy, and two more coming out soon (one tomorrow and one in november).

That's just a lack of selection though. There are no other bluray 3d movies out except those ones....which is even worse considering that the author of the article says that there are more but on different tvs.

5 years in the future just called me, they tell me you are dead right on the author not checking his facts, blu ray replacing DVD, and 3D television sets under $500.

That being said, Sony with the PS3 does not have 5 years for blu ray and 3D tv to take off and put them in the same position as the PS2 was with DVD.

Nintendo will end all talk of this gen come 2012 at the latest. Once Nintendo starts the next gen, 360, Wii, and PS3 numbers will be irrelevant and anyone heralding them will out themselves as a blatant, branded fan.

So much misinformation. Seems that am one the very few who actually got a 3D TV and 3D movies here.

Some companies like Panasonic have a timed exclusive deal to offer Avatar to those who purchase Panny 3D TV blu ray player. It’s a good deal coz the studio will get a lot of cash from the deal while the format is not yet popular. In 2011 it will be available to everyone.  I think Sony will go for Alice in Wonderland.

I now have 6 games on PS3 in stereoscopic 3D and 3 blu ray movies: Clash of the Titans, Aliens vs. Monsters and Great Canyon Adv IMAX 3D. More films will be available next month as listed on Amazon.co.uk and I can only say that 3D at home is fantastic and sometimes a breathtaking experience.

As for the glasses free n3D...well keep waiting.  It will not offer full hd, you can only see picture from a certain angle and you cannot use it to watch anything else. Such TVs will be much smaller and more expensive too.

To everyone saying this is stupid (despite it being timed exclusive or otherwise), think about it.

If you're company A, and no one is doing this, and you have the chance to do it, it's win-win for you. But now that company A has done it, every other company is at a disadvantage. How can them counter it? By doing the same, of course. If you don't, your competitor will have not only a larger library than you will, it will have your and entire library and then some. Thus company B decides to do the same and raises the pressure on the other companys.

So everyone does that and we get where we are. Now, this situation is worse than the initial one for every single company, but if any single company were to stop this practice, they'd be at a heavy disadvantage. So they're locked in this position.

The only way to change that would be if every manufacturer reunited and compromised to stop doing it at the same time and don't do it again, and everyone would have to agree. But then again, the article mentions that producing the 3D blu rays is expensive and studios don't feel like doing it since they won't sell much yet. So they'd actually have to agree to make a mutual studio-support fund and all contribute equally to it and decide together what studios should recieve how much money for what movie, and let the movies non-exclusive. Does that sound like it's feasible?