The Korean electronics giant ‘LG Electronics‘ are the latest company to announce their range of 3DTV products for western consumers, following the likes of Sony, Panasonic and Samsung. LG says they have “ambitious plans to sell one million 3D television sets this year and hope to take a quarter of the emerging 3D TV market.” Apparently LG are also planning a global launch (iPhone style) late in April, though I’m a tad doubtful that they will have the required quantity (manufactured and warehoused) to simultaneously flood global market. Especially considering that Panasonic sold out right across the states in less than a week from launch.
LG has unveiled both 47-inch and a 55-inch models of 3DTV’s that are LED back-lit. They are also offering two sets of 3D Glasses with each LG 3D TV sold (stay posted to see our update 3D Glasses Guide). Interestingly, LG has only around a 10 per cent share in the existing LCD TV market today, behind the likes of Samsung, Panasonic and Sony.
Sony has unveiled it’s latest 3D prototype, a table top ’stereoscopic 3D display’. Sony’s new gadget is a cylindrical device that displays ‘Autostereoscopic 3D vision’, which means no 3D glasses are required to see the 3D images. Even more impressive is that the 3D vision can be viewed from a full 360 degrees around the device. As the device is just a prototype it is still not clear what market this device might be for. Similar autostereoscopic displays are already being used in the medical and education industry. However, to me the resolution doesn’t look quite high enough for medical use. I would suggest that this 3D device will be used mainly in advertising (on shop counters and behind bars) and perhaps might make an appearance in the home as a 3D digital photo frame. It looks like the type of thing that Japanese consumers would love at home.
For the specs, a video and a dodgy translation of Sonys japanese press release, read on.. Read the rest of this entry »
In light of the many 3D TV brand options and the fact they all have their own matching ‘proprietary’ (non universal) 3D glasses. CNET decided to run an internet poll on peoples thoughts regarding the 3D tech dilema. The results are in and from just under 500 people here is what the public thinks… Read the rest of this entry »
Summary of Samsungs 3D TV range is as follows..
The cheapest 3D TV is a 46-inch LCD, due out in May for about $1,700.
The 3D plasma line features six 3DTV’s starting with a 50-inch 3DTV at about $1,800 going up to a 63-inch 3DTV $3,800, all available in May.
Samsungs 3D LED range includes a 40-inch model for about $2,000 due out in May and 46-inch and 55-inch versions due this month at $2,600 and $3,200, respectively. There’s also new higher-end 3D range on the cards including a 55-inch premium 3D LED TV for just under $7,000.
NOTE: Prices above are US Dollars.
The following two sources were lucky enough to place their dirty fingers on Panasonics US 3DTV offering (the Panasonic TC-P50VT20 3DTV). Both were impressed, read on to see their opinions. Read the rest of this entry »
Sony’s 3DTV – BRAVIA HX903, is availble for pre-order for those located in Europe. Luxury retailer Harrods, apparently has one on display in their shop window with a price tag and delivery date.
The 52-inch model is expected to retail at £2500 and ships in June if not earlier says Harrods. You will pay extra for the required 3D glasses and a 3D reciever as the model is only ‘3D Ready’ (no 3D reciever built in).
The XPAND X103 3D glasses are being touted as compatible with “almost all the new 3D-ready TVs of all brands.” In other words, basically any IR-enabled set (called ‘universal’ 3D glasses).
XpanD’s new stereo 3D glasses available in 12 Colors.
ZDNET SAYS: While the first priority of the X103 glasses is 3D-viewing, XpanD is definitely shooting to make a fashion statement with these, making them available in 12 colors and in both adult and kid sizes. But they’re going to cost somewhere between $125-$150. You could get a cheap pair of real eyeglasses for the same cost. (Or at least the frames.)
One of the issues with getting onto the 3D bandwagon, especially in public places, is the glasses issue. It’s expensive for movie theaters to supply them (and more expensive to replace them when their inevitably stolen), and most people aren’t going to want to carry them around and/or pay the price themselves.
“They won’t confirm numbers, but Panasonic has confirmed that it’s sold out of its 3D TVs in the US just a week after putting them on sale in Best Buy stores across the country.
Bloomberg reports that: “The shortage is prompting the world’s largest plasma TV maker to take back-orders from retailers, Hitoshi Otsuki, the senior managing director heading Osaka-based Panasonic’s overseas operations, said in an interview yesterday in Tokyo”.
Panasonic became the first major TV maker to sell 3D sets in the US when its 50-inch plasma TV went on sale at outlets of Best Buy. Panasonic was the first manufacturer to get their product to market even though there is virtually no content available to watch.
Samsung has quickly followed with its set going on sale at the beginning of the week, while LG, and Sony are due to release 3D-ready sets in the coming months as the UK high street gets ready to be flooded with demo units for consumers to try.” Read the rest of this entry »
On March 3 at CeBIT, MSI revealed the world’s first large-sized 3D All-in-One PC with powerful computing capabilities. Featuring a 120Hz LED panel and Shutter Glass 3D glasses, the new 3D computer is capable of producing vivid 3D images.
MSI Says:
We have become the first company in the world to introduce an All-in-One PC with a 3D touch-screen. Taking advantage of recent advances in 3D imaging technology, MSI has integrated 3D display technology with a powerful CPU to ensure smooth, clear 3D images and a higher level of detail. The combination of 120Hz LED panel and Shutter Glass 3D glasses brings the kind of 3D video experience that you would normally only get in the movie theater right into your home. Put on the 3D glasses and touch the screen with your fingertip, and the beautiful scenery of the planet Pandora from the movie Avatar will appear right in front of you, almost as if you could reach out and touch it.
Australians living near Rouse Hill in New South Wales are able to see an Autostereoscopic 3D Television (no 3D glasses needed) in action at “Tequila’s Restaurant” in the Rouse Hill Town Centre.
In some sort of deal with Aussie electronics retailer ‘Halo Electronics’ the futuristic 3D TV will be on display until the end of March. Renni Atwal from Halo Electronics says.. “At the moment it is used mainly to run commercials an in-store promotions,” (which seems like a terrible waste of the technology – Editor)
He said a model for home autostereoscopic 3D entertainment will be available through Australian electronics retailers within 12-18 months. “It will come with a digital set-top box that converts the 2D signal to 3D. The technology, which will cost the same as regular 3D televisions, will obsolete 3D glasses technology before it gets established.”
Nvidia has announced that their ‘Nvidia 3D Vision’ glasses are getting support for:
- Google Earth
- Bing Maps
- Cooliris
- Flickr
- Youtube
..with plugins for Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer.
Sony is showing off their massive new 280 inch stereoscopic 3D LED Display. At a whopping 6.4m wide and 3.4m high, the new 3D screen is called a “3D LED Wall”, which makes sense given the size.
The 3D Display is made up of 70 individual LED displays, each of which measures around 28 inches.
The 3D images are displayed by interlacing two overlapping 2D images. The technology uses passive polarized glasses to separate those images like used in RealD and Dolby Digital 3D cinemas (as opposed to active glasses like the nvidia stereo vision).
As we reported here.. Sony is going 3D in a big way. Now they are drip feeding us the odd image outlining their plans for 2010.
For full details and the promo video read on.. Read the rest of this entry »
Holoart’s 3D B-Vision consists of a thin piece of glass that fuses two projected images together, allowing stereoscopic 3D viewing without wearing any goofy glasses.
The whole approach is a very novel way of presenting stereoscopic 3D vision, yet it still requires some work. Only one person can use this in it’s current form which only really makes it a viable option for personal 3D gaming. Check out a video of the unveiling at CEATEC by reading on.. Read the rest of this entry »
Here are a few quick bullet points outlining the important development dates of stereoscopic 3D-compatible Audiovisual Equipment at Panasonic:
- September 2008: Development of Full HD 3D Plasma Home Theater System
Developed the world’s first Full HD 3D Plasma Home Theater System based on a 103-inch PDP and Blu-ray Discs, which was exhibited at CEATEC JAPAN 2008. - April 2009: Began development of Professional 3D Movie Production System
Became the first company in the industry to announce the start of development of professional 3D production system consisting of a twin-lens P2 camcorder, a 3D video recorder and a PDP that allows for evaluation of 3D video. The system will facilitate easier and more efficient 3D production process. The conceptual models were presented at NAB 2009. - September 2009: Development of 50-inch Full HD 3D PDP
Developed a 50-inch Full HD 3D compatible PDP to enable consumers to enjoy high quality, true-to-life 3D images in the comfort of their living rooms. A prototype will be exhibited at CEATEC JAPAN 2009 (from October 6-10).
Panasonic prepares it’s new 50″ stereo 3D Plasma 3DTV for it’s official launch at CEATEC Japan (Oct 6). The Japanese electronics giant has developed a 50-inch Full HD 3D compatible plasma display panel (PDP) and high-precision active shutter glasses that enable the viewing of theater-quality, true-to-life 3D images in the living rooms. Aiming to bring Full HD 3D TVs to the market in 2010, the company steps up its efforts in developing the related technology…
FULL STORY and PHOTOS: Read the rest of this entry »
Sony has just announced their plan to lead the way in delivering new 3D viewing experiences by bringing 3D to the home in 2010. Sony aims to create both attractive 3D hardware and content, and provide new forms of 3D enjoyment.
Sony’s 3D BRAVIA LCD TVs will incorporate frame sequential display and active-shutter glass systems, along with Sony’s own ‘high frame rate technology’ to enhance the reproduction of full High Definition high-quality 3D images, and will form the centerpiece of Sony’s 3D entertainment experience for the home.
In addition to 3D compatible “BRAVIA” LCD TVs, Sony will also develop 3D compatibility into many more of its devices, such as 3D Blu-ray Disc products, 3D VAIO Notebooks and 3D PlayStation®3, to provide a multitude of ways in which 3D content – from 3D movies to stereoscopic 3D games – can be enjoyed in the home.
In the growing industry of 3D cinema, Sony has supported and driven the expansion of 3D by providing a wide variety of professional equipment for the shooting, production and screening of movies in 3D. The number of digital 3D screens is increasing rapidly, and is expected to reach 7,000 by the end of 2009 (..actually it’ll be more like 10,000 mr sony -editor). In addition to 3D movies, Sony’s range of professional 3D products is also driving the growth of 3D production and distribution across a range of entertainment industries, from theatre and music performances to sport and beyond.
