NPD: 17% want 3D at home

A "significant" number — 17 percent — of U.S. home video consumers want to watch 3D movies on their televisions, according to The NPD Group.

NPD also cites recent popularity of the 3D film "Up," in theaters now, as evidence that people are interested in the technology.

“As they encounter new methods of watching movies, and new film technologies, home video aficionados will begin to expect the same experience in-home as in the theater, not unlike the evolution of surround sound,” Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD, said in a press release.

But is 17 percent really a significant number? That’s less than one in five consumers. I don’t know how the queston was phrased in NPDs study — perhaps the high cost of a 3D-ready television was a consideration — but I’m guessing most people just aren’t interested in donning 3D glasses when plopping down to relax in their living rooms.

Crupnick admits that "usage and interest in some of these formats is low today," but expects more interest with time. I think that also depends on whether TV manufacturers can agree on a standard for 3D so it can be marketed on a unified front.

Additionally, the NPD’s survey found a lack of interest in other emerging technologies. Roughly one quarter of those surveyed want video on demand for TV on the same day as a DVD release; 14 percent said they want a digital file included with their DVD or Blu-ray purchase; 14 percent said they want the ability to burn paid digital downloads to DVD; 12 percent are interested in watching free, ad-supported movies on a social network; 8 percent want to download a movie through a video game console; and just 4 percent want to watch movies through their mobile phones or smartphones.

I guess most people are happy with their DVD player, and that’s all.