3dGlasses
Latest
3DTV roundup: LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung & Sony square off
After a year of hearing about 3DTVs nonstop we finally got some of the main contenders in house to examine, although we'll start by pointing out that this isn't so much of a "3DTV" roundup, since a more apt description of these displays is 3D-capable HDTVs. That's an important distinction to make, since nothing about the 2D performance of these TVs suffers because of their ability to do 3D, and in many cases they cost the exact same price as their comparable 2D-only models from last year. With that said Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi and LG's finest have had their moment and on the next page we've done our best to compare them in a way that makes sense for the average HDTV buyer who might also want to take in a 3D event or movie from time to time. Right now, there's barely enough 3D content to support more than a couple of hours viewing per week, much less support a full viewing conversion to all-glasses, all the time -- but more about that later. Check out our full impressions after the break.
Apple granted patents for glasses-free, multi-viewer 3D system, colorful keyboard backlighting
We've seen a few Apple 3D patents before, but this latest IP portfolio addition shows Cupertino has clearly been thinking differently. At its core the system involves a screen, projector, sensor, and a 3D imager, which work together to allow multiple viewers to perceive 3D images from nearly any position in a room without glasses. This flexible autostereoscopic 3D effect is achieved by tracking user's positions and projecting pixels onto a reflective, textured surface that then bounces separate images into the left and right eye. Virtual interaction methods with the 3D projections are also described in the document, implying the technology has aspirations beyond passive viewing. Speaking of aspirations, Apple's approach clearly seeks to fix many common 3D issues at once. The most obvious is literally taking 3D glasses of the picture -- which we firmly support. On the flip side, the design addresses common faults with current glasses-free options too such as: ghosting and narrow viewing angles, while still keeping commercial viability in mind. That sounds magical to us, but considering the patent was filed back in 2006, we still expect 3D to be handled the old fashion way for quite a while to come. While we're on the subject of patents, a handful more popped in by way of Apple related to keyboard backlighting. Think multiple colors, individually lit, customizable by the user or automated based on environmental conditions and you get the gist. Hey, if it means a return for the Bondi Blue late 90's iMac design (with bright, matching keyboards), then we're excited. But it doesn't.
Sony backing new series of 3D TV shows launching in Japan this January
Now that Japan's first 3D broadcast is old news, Sony hopes to spark 3D TV sales in the island by offering a new series of late night 3D programming. Created in partnership with the Japanese TV company BS Fuji, the proposed lineup will launch with three 30-minute specials. The first will air at midnight on Saturday, January 1st, with the other two following at the same time on Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd. Topics covered include: rail travel on the Orient Express, a bird's eye trip that follows the ultra low-flying journey of a powered paraglider, and a recap of Sony Aquarium 3D coverage from 2008-2010, which apparently has been a popular annual summer event held in Sony's Ginza building. After that trio, 30 minutes of 3D programming will continue to air at the witching hour from January 9th onwards. How much this ploy will help Sony's 3DTV sales considering Japanese consumers can already watch BS11 3D broadcasts is debatable, but anything's better than robot theater right?
Calvin Klein plunges into 3D waters with pair of cool new shades
Calvin Klein has never been afraid of associating itself with a bit of cheap marketing, so it's no surprise that the fashion brand is now slapping its name atop some 3D-capable sunglasses. The patent-pending curved 3D glasses from Marchon3D have been adorned with the CK livery and, erm, we guess they're that little bit more stylish than the usual pair of 3D goggles you might have thrown your way at the cinema. Now you just have to decide where your loyalties lie, Calvin Klein, Gucci, or Oakley?
Gucci's 3D glasses up the ante with $225 fashion tag
Perhaps we were being unfair with Oakley's $150 3D shades -- that company, in fact, just didn't go far enough. Cut to Gucci with "optically correct" Real D frames of its own. No wraparounds, it's all glass forward, and like we said last time, you'll be the absolute most fashionable person in a crowded room full of people decidedly not looking in your direction for the entire duration of the glasses' applicable use. Look for these to hit your local US Gucci boutique -- if you have to ask where, it probably wasn't on your purchase list anyway -- for $225. Your move, Louis Vuitton.
Oakley's 3D specs are a perfect blend of gaudiness and Tron: Legacy
Think run-of-the-mill 3D specs just aren't cutting it? Need the sort of eyewear that ENCOM International would approve or? Here's perhaps a better question: got a infinitesimally-deep hole burning in your pocket? Oakley's recently-announced "optically-correct" 3D glasses are getting a special Tron: Legacy edition in honor of the upcoming internet documentary. Expect graphic art on the frames that, in some of the most amusing and illustrative words we've read in a press release for some time, "salute the cinematic story." Asking price is a steep $150, but fashion doesn't run cheap -- besides, how else are you going to stand out in a dark room filled with bespectacled people all facing the same direction?
HP Envy 17 3D laptop now available starting at $1599
If you've been kept awake at night wondering when the HP Envy 17 3D laptop would finally be available for purchase, well you'll have sweet dreams tonight. HP's officially thrown this bad boy up on its website for all those out there whose laptops are just too... two dimensional. If you've forgotten, the Envy 17 3D boasts a 17.3-inch 3D Ultra BrightView display, packs AMD's 3D tech, and it comes with active shutter glasses. Specwise, you get a choice of Intel Core i7 processors, ATI Mobility Radeon graphics, a wide range of hard drive options and Windows 7 operating systems. The base configuration comes with a $1,599 price tag. In other HP availability news, the Wireless TV Connect device, which will stream 1080p video from your laptop to your HDTV, is also up for order for $199.99. Hit up the source link if you're ready to start shopping.
XpanD universal 3D glasses now available for pre-order
The lack of inter-brand compatibility is a major annoyance with current 3D glasses -- not to mention stands in direct opposition to our fashionable couch potato aesthetic. Luckily, XpanD's universal 3D glasses are finally available for pre-order on Amazon, even though there's no word on ship dates. They are however currently priced at $108, which is slightly less than the $125-$150 range quoted by XpanD's Chief Strategy Officer Ami Dror last spring. That said, no surprise drop in price could justify their PR platitude as "the most anticipated product in the history of 3D."
Samsung adds prescription lens option to its active shutter 3D glasses
If the only thing holding you back from that new 3DTV purchase was the inconvenience of slipping the 3D glasses over the regular old 2D glasses you already wear, Samsung is the first major manufacturer with a solution now that it's unveiled a prescription version in Korea. The SSG-R2200 models appear to be very similar to the company's other active shutter 3D glasses in various shapes and sizes, but they're made to order from an optometrist. We know this is something several companies have been working on and expect to see these available in the US eventually as well, but we'll have to see a pricetag of some type before we decide if rocking the dual specs or just sticking with 2D is the best option.%Gallery-105461%
Viewsonic rolls out 24-inch V3D241wm-LED monitor with 3D glasses
We've yet to see the full wrath of Viewsonic's ambitious 3D plans, but the company has at least now rolled out one new device: the 24-inch V3D241wm-LED 3D monitor. That naturally comes complete with a pair of (active) 3D glasses, and Viewsonic insists that the monitor's 120Hz frame rate and 2ms response time make it ideal for both gaming and movies. You'll also get a pair of built-in two watt speakers, 300 nits of brightness, a supposed 20,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and the usual Eco mode to cut down on power consumption. Still no official word on a release over here, but you can now grab this one in the UK for £330, or about $527.
Hockey Night in Canada will go 3D for two games this winter
Considering how well MSG's 3D broadcast of the Rangers / Islanders game was received, CBC Sports' decision to air two Hockey Night In Canada games in 3D this winter is splendiferous news for fans in Mountie land. The first-ever 3D Canadian hockey game broadcast is set for December 11th, when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Montreal Canadiens, while the second will come later during the 2010-11 NHL season on February 20th, when the Calgary Flames host the Canadiens in the Heritage Classic. To pull it all off HNIC has partnered with Panasonic -- who conveniently will be the official 3D and HD sponsor for the series when it premiers this season on October 7th, too. In terms of potential audience, Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports shared they "don't even know how many 3D TVs are out there", but it's not a coincidence the games are scheduled around Christmas when many of our neighbors to the north will be looking to upgrade. Moore was also clear that these games don't guarantee 3D HNIC is here to stay given its costs over standard HD. But if you and your puck-loving friends can put more than $55 million worth of 3D equipment under the tree, we bet that tune could change.
Oakley announces plans for line of 3D eyewear
We've already seen a few attempts at some premium 3D glasses, and it looks like you can now also count Oakley as being aboard the bandwagon. The company has just announced that it's developed what it describes as the first 3D eyewear with "optically correct" lenses, and that it will be rolling out its first 3D glasses sometime before this holiday season. Those glasses will be of the passive polarized variety, and use Oakley's so-called HDO-3D technology, which promises "unparalleled visual clarity," along with a wider peripheral viewing angle and a truer alignment of 3D images. No word on pricing just yet, but Oakley will apparently be rolling out a range of different designs that will be sold though premium optical distribution channels in the US -- a worldwide launch will follow in 2011. Full press release is after the break. [Thanks, Colin]
Samsung adds two free pairs of glasses to sub-$1,000 3DTV package
Don't think there's some give in those 3DTV prices? Now that Samsung's sub-$1000 50-inch PN50C490 plasma HDTV is on store shelves, it's improving the offer by throwing two pairs of those (normally $149 retail value each) active shutter 3D glasses in for free. Since it comes with the IR emitter already built in, that's all anyone will need to get every pixel available of the 3D games on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 or any of ESPN 3D's broadcasts. Of course, the 720p resolution will give up a few pixels on 1080p Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D discs, but if you absolutely must be 3D ready before next week's Auburn/Clemson game and only have $1,000 to spend, this is your day. Of course, even among the fraction of the crowd interested in 3D now or in the near future, we're wondering what kind of deals might be floating around once Black Friday hits. The bundle deal's been spotted online at Amazon, Best Buy and Vanns, as well as in-store at hhgregg, so you shouldn't have too much trouble sniffing it out -- or avoiding it, if that's your deal -- locally.
Carl Zeiss Cinemizer 3D Plus glasses get OLED infusion, still no attention
Carl Zeiss keeps on making minor improvements to its Cinemizer head-mounted display, announced way back in 2008 and intended to be the most amazing way to watch stuff on your iPod. They didn't exactly catch on then, and two years later we're not entirely sure that the latest revision will either. The tiny screens that sit a fraction of an inch from your eyeballs have been upgraded to OLED, which should make them bright and lovely as they pummel your rods and cones, but sadly they're still stuck in VGA land -- 640 x 480 is not a lot of pixels these days. This version also pledges greater compatibility with non-Apple devices, a welcome change, and even more welcome is the new visual styling, which makes you look a little less walleyed than the last model. Despite this the price hasn't changed much, estimated to be around €400 ($515), but that's still a lot to pay just to have the coolest Frozone costume ever.
Philips' Cinema 21:9 Platinum HDTV finally takes the leap into 3D
It's kind of hard to outdo yourself with only two dimensions when they read 21 and 9, respectively, so Philips has decided to do the only thing left for a trendy display maker: go 3D. Though we saw (and loved) a 3D prototype of the 56-inch variant at last year's IFA, this new, 58-inch Cinema 21:9 Platinum HDTV looks set to bring the third dimension to actual retail. It's got the Ambilight wall illumination that some people will like, LED backlighting with local dimming that most should love, and a slimmer, brushed matte bezel that will be appreciated by all. The 400Hz panel is capable of pumping out Full HD 3D and is expected to cost around €4,000 ($5,112) in Europe or £3,500 in the UK with a launch set for later this month. And if you want one in the US, well... things aren't looking very Ambibright for you. %Gallery-101115%
i-Station Z3D 7-inch 3D Android tablet requires glasses, how convenient
Come on, you knew it would come to this. In an industry obsessed with 3D as a means of boosting sales, somebody was bound to introduce a 3D tablet that requires glasses (polarized, no doubt). While other companies like Sharp have 3D tablet ambitions designed around its glassesless parallax barrier display technology, Korea's i-Station has bolted from the gate with a 7-inch (800x480) Z3D 3D tablet featuring the Android 2.1 OS, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, FM radio, 5000mAh high capacity battery, DMB television, either 32GB or 64GB or storage (depending upon model), and 1080p video support. And really, what could be more convenient than carrying around an extra pair of glasses just for viewing 3D content? A stylus perhaps? One can only hope. Of course, i-Station has plenty of tablet options to choose from including the similarly spec'd "i-Station Dude" and miniature "Buddy," all pictured above just for you pal. Expect the Z3D to launch in November for KRW600,000 or right around $500. A few more pics after the break.
Polaroid and RealD team up for premium 3D eyewear, mutual back-patting
Polaroid's iconic instant camera may have retreated into the annals of yuppie history, but the company's original business remains: sunglasses, whose light-spinning lens technology is indeed directly responsible for the Polaroid name and whose new RealD-certified Polaroid Premium 3D variant is the latest attempt to make the brand relevant again. Yes, only seven decades after introducing polarized theater to the world the firm's at it once more, with a line of designer 3D glasses endowed with upstart RealD's enthusiastic recommendation. The glasses should appear at theaters near you soon, though we think it's safe to say that you won't see them distributed in little plastic baggies at the counter -- there's no word on price, but Polaroid's probably calling them "premium" for a reason. PR after the break.
3D Vision hack uses active shutter glasses to display 3D content in 2D (video)
Stereoscopic display sharing -- or using one monitor to show two separate programs simultaneously -- has piqued quite a few people's interest lately. Both Microsoft and Sony have been developing ways to do this, and now there is a post on the 3D Vision Blog outlining how to modify your NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses to accept either the left or right image from a 3D display. You'll be opening the glasses up (careful!), soldering things like shutters and IR receivers, bridging this and that, but by the time you're done you'll be able to watch TV in the way that nature intended, beautiful, glorious 2D! (You can see it in action after the break.) Now, if only we could figure out how to watch color TV programs in black and white...
Panasonic adds Blu-ray 3D/HDD all-in-one plasmas; redesigned, rechargeable 3D glasses in Japan
Panasonic Japan's push to bring 3D to wider audiences means more than just offering it in smaller HDTVs. The RT2B series plasmas announced today can record TV broadcasts onto their hard discs or Blu-ray drives, and are the first all-in-ones that play Blu-ray 3D movies as well. Available in 42- and 46-inch versions, it's unlikely we'll see them on this side of the Pacific, but much more likely to make the jump are some new 3D glasses (pictures after the break.) Now available in different sizes for the whole family, they also include sealed batteries rechargeable by USB, as opposed to the current one-size-fits-all design that relies on a replaceable watch battery. Two hours charging via USB should equal 30 hours of watching, and at 38g, Panasonic's claiming the small kid-sized TY-EW3D2SW active shutter glasses are the lightest around. What hasn't changed yet is the price -- ¥13,000 ($149.) Barring bundle deals, outfitting the family for some festival viewing will still be an expensive proposition when all of these start shipping August 27.
Sony stereoscopic screen sharing patent puts two players on one display
After that last bummer, where Sony applied for a patent "feature erosion" in game demos, we're glad to see the company come up with something positive for the gamers among us. Two recent patent apps, titled "Stereoscopic Screen Sharing Method and Apparatus Patent" and "3D Shutter Glasses with Mode Switching Based on Orientation to Display Device," detail the use of stereoscopic 3D technology to let two individual players see different information on the same screen (you might remember that Microsoft has also been working on something similar). Not only that, but the glasses could have earbuds -- for separate audio feeds. Of course, you'd need a 3D display for this to work, and you'd need to wear those silly glasses -- but that's a small price to pay to get rid of the ol' split screen, don't you think? [Warning: PDF source links]
