P3D Re: kids and 3-D

[fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)]

>Why is it that stereo remains a viable entertainment medium only 
>(or at least primarily) for kids?  Is it because stereo is seen
>as a gimmick or toy (i.e. Viewmaster), or is it because kids are
>particularly receptive and/or impressed with stereo?  

Interesting questions.... View-Master was originally a product marketed
to adults and so was 3Discover, 3D movies, stereo cameras... When
VM sales declined, the focus was shifted to children. 

I don't see any reason why a child will be more receptive and/or
impressed with stereo than an adult, AND CONTINUE TO BE with time.

Children are by nature more enthusiastic about things, especially toys.
Adults are more reserved.  Children's eyes are more flexible.

I would expect adults to be more impressed with this new experience
than children for the simple reason that it is something new to them
after many years of working with 2D images.

Will a child MAINTAIN an interest more than an adult?  I don't think
so.  I don't know any children who collect VM reels (but know plenty
of adults).  Children are given a VM viewer and reels for a present,
play for it with a while and then forget about it, like they do with
all toys.

Children see VM as a toy.  Adults see 3d as a novelty.  None will 
maintain insterest for too long.  But, there is always a new source 
of children while there is no new source of adults.  Children are being 
born all the time while adults just get older.  New children means new 
customers for 3d and that's why it makes sense to shift marketing to 
children once the product loses its novelty.  I think this is true for
many products that can be handled by children (obviously stereo 
cameras cannot).

George Themelis


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 3063
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