Katarzyna Petru
One of the best uses of 3D technology in the history of cinema is back in its full glory. "Tron: Legacy" has been released in 3D 4K with HDR, and alongside it, "Tron: Ares" has also debuted — both films can be watched exclusively on Apple Vision Pro. For fans of 3D, this is a sort of rehabilitation of the format, which spectacularly flopped on televisions around 2016. However, the technology is now returning in a completely new, much more advanced form.
Apple and Cameron push 3D forward
James Cameron consistently promotes 3D in cinema, focusing on 48 fps (HFR). Meanwhile, Apple has introduced a 3D format that leaves Blu-ray 3D discs far behind — for the first time offering 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and even high frame rate. And it is in this format that the iconic Tron returns.
"Tron: Legacy" in 3D – an example of ideal technology use
"Tron: Legacy" from 2010 was filmed natively in 3D, but its uniqueness lies in something else — in selective use of three-dimensional effects.
Scenes in the real world start in 2D, while at the moment Sam Flynn enters the Grid, the image smoothly transitions to 3D. The effect of "transitioning to another world" is still regarded as one of the best-designed moments in the history of 3D cinema. The new version is available in 3D 4K with Dolby Vision HDR and — importantly — exclusively on visionOS, which means on Apple Vision Pro.
“Tron: Ares” also in 3D 4K
Alongside “Legacy”, a new film “Tron: Ares” debuted, which is also available exclusively in 3D 4K Dolby Vision on Apple Vision Pro. Although the film received rather lukewarm reviews in cinemas, it is currently thriving on Disney+, where it quickly climbed to the top of the most-watched titles list.
Where can you watch movies in 3D?
Both films are available in 3D through:
the Apple TV app
the Disney+ app
— of course only on Apple Vision Pro.
It’s worth adding that:
“Tron: Legacy” was previously available in 3D on Apple TV,
Disney productions do not appear in 3D before their premiere on Disney+, even if they are available on Apple TV beforehand.
Meta Quest no chance for 3D 4K
Disney+ did make it to the Meta Quest goggles in December, but:
the app does not support 3D movies,
the Meta hardware does not support MV-HEVC decoding, required for 3D 4K,
low-resolution LCD panels cannot deliver 4K or HDR.
There is also an "IMAX Enhanced" version available on Disney+ in 1.90:1 aspect ratio, however unfortunately without 3D.
3D is back, but only where it makes sense
The story of Tron shows one thing — 3D has not died, it just needed the right equipment and format. The Apple Vision Pro finally provides the conditions where three-dimensional:
has the appropriate resolution,
real HDR,
high fluidity,
and no compromises known from the era of 3D TVs.
For fans of “Tron” and technology, this is the best moment to see how 3D should have looked from the very beginning.
Source: flatpanelshd
