In 2010, 3D television models began to hit showroom floors. In recent, months it’s been reported that sets are moving slower than manufacturers had hoped. There has been a slight increase in the past few weeks, but there is still talk of 3D just being a fad not the future of home television viewing.

Certainly there is a history of 3D failing to take hold. 3D movies have been around since at least the 1950′s in movie theaters. While they captured our attention for a while, the technology didn’t really take hold. Few movies were produced in 3D in the past 50 or 60 years. Of course the technology for in home 3D viewing didn’t exist. The price, and the size of the TV would have been astronomical.

But things have changed and now these sets are readily available, and although they are priced at the higher end of the spectrum, they aren’t off the scale by any means.

Those who question the future of 3D viewing in our homes may have a valid point, but I’m not quite as skeptical. At this time, consumer spending overall is down. The ability of many familes to spend a lot of cash on an HDTV is limited anyway. It has nothing to do with 3D, it has to due with the economy, low and under employment, restricted family budgets, and low consumer confidence.

So we now have the technology, but we also have content. Not a huge amount of content, but an increasing amount of it to view on those 3D TVs. There are of course, 3D movies available on BluRay and then there are the sporting events and even entire channels devoted to it. This wasn’t the case in the past. Broadcasters are getting on board. Game developers are also looking to capitalize on the trend, how could any gamer resist 3D?

The other thing that is occuring, is that 3D viewing is emerging everywhere. Eventually, we will become accustomed to it, expect it. There are now 3D digital cameras that you can view 3D without glasses on the screen, on 3D photo frames, or on, say it with me, your 3D TV. Video cameras offer 3D as well. Not just professional models, but even consumer level devices, and even pocket sized 3D camcorders. 3D monitors are also gaining favor.

Based on the emergence of a reasonably priced home 3D television, increasing compatible content, expanded adoption of 3D in a wide variety of consumer electronic devices, it seems to me that 3D is the future, even if the future materializes a bit more slowly than anticipated.