Katarzyna Petru
One of the best uses of 3D technology in cinema history is back in full glory. "Tron: Legacy" has been released in 3D 4K with HDR, and along with it, "Tron: Ares" has also made its debut — both films can be watched exclusively on Apple Vision Pro. For 3D fans, this is a kind of rehabilitation for the format, which spectacularly fell flat on televisions around 2016. However, now the technology is 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 rates. And it is in this format that the cult classic Tron makes its return.
"Tron: Legacy" in 3D – an example of ideal technology utilization
"Tron: Legacy" from 2010 was filmed natively in 3D, but its uniqueness lies in something else — in the selective use of three-dimensionality.
Scenes in the real world begin 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, that is, 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 theatrical reviews, it is currently triumphing on Disney+, where it quickly climbed to the top of the most-watched titles.
Where to watch 3D movies?
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 earlier.
Meta Quest No Chance for 3D 4K
Disney+ indeed landed on Meta Quest goggles in December, but:
the application 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.
Disney+ also offers an "IMAX Enhanced" version in the 1.90:1 aspect ratio, but unfortunately without 3D.
3D is back, but only where it makes sense
The story of Tron shows one thing — 3D is not dead, it just needed the right equipment and format. Apple Vision Pro finally provides the conditions in which three-dimensional:
has the right resolution,
real HDR,
high smoothness,
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 look from the very beginning.
Source: flatpanelshd
