The need for special, sometimes-expensive, glasses to view TV in 3D is the most-often-cited reason for its failure in the market. Lack of source material has also been a major issue. Ironically, the companies pouring billions of dollars into various not-quite-ready or on-the-drawing-board VR products have doubled down on the need for glasses — their solutions all require even more onerous and expensive goggles. Beyond hard-core gamers, many of whom will put up with ungainly VR headsets to get the benefit of immersive gaming, it’s not clear how many users will put up with the inconvenience of headgear — although much like the IMAX franchise, there will be a niche market in immersive experiences using those same headsets.

via Can the VR craze and new display technologies save 3D TV? | ExtremeTech.

Emphasis added by me. The same reporters babbling about the alleged inconvenience of 3D “goggles” for 3D TVs at CES went into hyperdrive of excitement over virtual reality (VR) helmets.

Glasses were not the problem: the problem was lack of compelling 3D content. I am guessing that glasses free displays delivering 3D gaming content on phones and tablets might make a resurgence. Games provide immediately available 3D content.

Related articles

• VR will not suffer the same fate as 3D TV, Tim Sweeney says
• But seriously, let’s talk a little bit more about SteamVR
• Panasonic shows off prototype VR goggles
• Samsung announces new version of Gear VR for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge users
• The virtual reality headset that’s more immersive than Oculus Rift

These 3D Gifs Will Turn Your Brain Inside Out.

Just watch the animations and you’ll see how they work. An old trick, actually, but effective.

As interest in 3D has declined, sadly, RealD is potentially putting the company up for sale:

RealD Says It Will Look For A Deal As 3D Sales Fall | Deadline.