Katarzyna Petru
One of the best uses of 3D technology in the history of cinema is returning in all its glory. “Tron: Legacy” has been released in 3D 4K with HDR, and alongside it, “Tron: Ares” has also debuted — both films are available exclusively on Apple Vision Pro. For fans of 3D, this is a sort of rehabilitation of a format that spectacularly failed on televisions around 2016. However, 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 makes its return.
“Tron: Legacy” in 3D – an example of perfect technology utilisation
“Tron: Legacy” from 2010 was filmed natively in 3D, but its uniqueness lies in something else — in its selective use of three-dimensionality.
Scenes in the real world start in 2D, while the moment Sam Flynn enters the Grid, the image smoothly transitions to 3D. The effect of “transitioning to another world” is still considered 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, that is, on Apple Vision Pro.
“Tron: Ares” also in 3D 4K
Alongside “Legacy,” the new film “Tron: Ares” has debuted, which is also available exclusively in 3D 4K Dolby Vision on Apple Vision Pro. Although the film has received rather lukewarm reviews in cinemas, it is currently triumphing on Disney+, where it quickly climbed to the top of the most-watched titles list.
Where can you watch films in 3D?
Both films are available in 3D via:
the Apple TV app
the Disney+ app
— of course only on Apple Vision Pro.
It is worth mentioning 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 earlier on Apple TV.
Meta Quest without a chance for 3D 4K
Disney+ has indeed arrived on the Meta Quest goggles in December, but:
the application does not support 3D films,
the Meta hardware does not support MV-HEVC decoding, required for 3D 4K,
low-resolution LCD panels cannot provide 4K or HDR.
On Disney+, there is also an “IMAX Enhanced” version available in 1.90:1 aspect ratio, however, unfortunately without 3D.
3D is back, but only where it makes sense
The history of Tron shows one thing — 3D is not dead, it just needed the right equipment and format. Apple Vision Pro for the first time provides the conditions in which three-dimensional:
has the right resolution,
real HDR,
high fluidity,
and no compromises known from the era of 3D televisions.
For fans of “Tron” and technology, this is the best moment to see how 3D should have looked from the very beginning.
Source: flatpanelshd
