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Volume is a $1,000 holographic display for your home
Just when we were running out of things to throw our money at, along comes another product nobody asked for. Startup Looking Glass made a "personal volumetric display" called Volume that it says will let you see VR (really, 3D content) without a headset, so you can share such content with people around you. The display is also interactive so you can move things around either by swiping on the touch-sensitive screen, waving your hands in front of it or pairing up a gaming controller. The company claims it's the world's first affordable personal volumetric display. What's more, such an outlandish device has an equally far-out price, should you want to buy it: Volume is now available for preorder for $999.
Scientists create glasses-free 3D for the movie theater
Watching glasses-free 3D on a TV is no longer an outlandish concept, but that hasn't been true for movie theaters. How are you supposed to create the same parallax effect for everyone, whether they're up front or way in the back? Researchers at MIT CSAIL and Israel's Weizmann Institute for Science finally have a practical answer. Their Cinema 3D tech creates multiple parallax barriers in a single display, using lenses and mirrors to deliver a range of angles across the whole theater. And unlike previous attempts at large-scale glasses-free 3D, you don't have to take a hit to resolution.
Here's Sharp's 85-inch 8K TV with glasses-free 3D
It's so big and bright that it wasn't hard to find inside Sharp's booth, even when surrounded by a sea of other televisions from the manufacturer. What you see above, folks, is an 85-inch, 8K glasses-free 3D TV from Sharp. This behemoth, ultra-high-res display is rather similar to the one from CES 2013, save for the fact you can enjoy three-dimensional content without any eye hardware. While everything about this LED TV is indeed interesting, we can't say we were too impressed by the glasses-free 3D. It is pretty easy for your eyes to get tired of the effect quickly, and at times some frames pass through so fast that it ends up making the content seem blurry -- we're not the only ones who feel this way, apparently. Aside from those things, the image is incredibly sharp; the TV was showing scenes from Life of Pi and Frozen, both of which looked stunning on the big screen. Obviously, Sharp's 85-inch, 8K 3D TV is still in the early stages, and thus it wouldn't be fair to judge it based on first impressions. Chances are it'll improve tremendously as the company continues to work on it. For now, it is a very dazzling thing to look at and we can't wait to see it down the road. Check out the pictures we took of it after the break, or, if you're here at the LVCC, stop by the Sharp booth to experience it yourself. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Sharp is teasing a 3D-ready, 85-inch 8K display at CES, no glasses required
Sharp loves to show off the 8K technology it hopes to see in your living room in the future. It's no surprise, then, that the outfit is yet again using CES as a platform to tease another super, super high-res 85-inch screen. Unlike the gorgeous panel we saw last year (pictured above), though, this time Sharp's rolled into the desert with a glasses-free 3D flavor of its 7,680 x 4,320 display. The company isn't sharing many more details at the moment, but, for what it's worth, it did mention that its latest 8K creation was done in collaboration with Philips and Dolby. While we haven't seen this thing ourselves, we know it's here, somewhere in Las Vegas, so we'll be sure to update this post as soon as our eyes meet all those pixels.
Gadmei 3D HD Pad hands-on (video)
While some have declared 3D dead, Chinese electronics firm Gadmei doesn't appear to have received the memo. Cruising the outskirts of the Las Vegas Convention Center, we came across the company's forthcoming glasses-free 3D HD Pad. The device packs an 8.1-inch 1,280 x 800 display, a 1.5GHz Cortex-A9 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a 5,000 mAh battery and Android 4.2. Sure, these specs aren't much to gawk at, but the real draw here is the tablet's display-altering software that allows users to toggle between 2D and 3D viewing on select applications. Entering this demonstration with skepticism, we must say that we were pleasantly surprised with the 3D HD Pad's visual effects. Somewhat reminiscent of using a Nintendo 3DS, viewing angles were limited, but once we found a sweet spot we were good to go. The tablet's 3D capabilities would likely be most effective resting against some type of stand. Visual gimmicks aside, the device has a solid build quality and Jelly Bean ran fairly smooth on its modest hardware.
Hisense previews 2013 TV lineup that includes a 110-inch 4K set, Google TV and glasses-free 3D
Hisense gave us a tease of its TV future late last year with reasonably-sized 4K sets. We now know that it's bringing a lot more to CES -- and we do mean a lot. Its 2013 lineup will include the XT900 line, which brings 3D-capable 4K displays to 65-inch, 85-inch and slightly staggering 110-inch sizes. If extreme resolution isn't top on the list, there's still the 55- and 65-inch XT780, which port Hisense's Google TV interface from a set-top box to the set itself. Glasses-free 3D rounds out the previews: while just a concept, the 60-inch GF60XT980 is promising through its combination of face tracking and a 2160p display to avoid the usual 3D eyewear while preserving detail. Unspecified models across the entire mix carry MHL-capable HDMI ports to handle devices like the Roku Streaming Stick. Prices and ship dates will have to wait until closer to release, Hisense says, but many more details (including a snapshot of the XT780) await after the break.
Stream TV strikes deal with Hisense, outlines plans for real glasses-free 3D display
Stream TV has been touting its Ultra-D glasses-free 3D tech for quite some time now, but we've still yet to see anything resembling a marketable product. The company's already snagged one manufacturing deal, but in the latest announcement of a partnership with Hisense it's revealed the specs of an actual device -- a 42-inch 1080p display. If you think the details end there... well, you'd be right, although the numbers do suggest something tangible is indeed in the pipeline. We might find out more at IFA 2012 where Stream TV will be showing off its latest gear, so here's to hoping. And, if you'd like more info on the Stream TV / Hisense agreement, the full PR is available after the break.
MIT Media Lab's Tensor Displays stack LCDs for low-cost glasses-free 3D (hands-on video)
Glasses-free 3D may be the next logical step in TV's evolution, but we have yet to see a convincing device make it to market that doesn't come along with a five-figure price tag. The sets that do come within range of tickling our home theater budgets won't blow you away, and it's not unreasonable to expect that trend to continue through the next few product cycles. A dramatic adjustment in our approach to glasses-free 3D may be just what the industry needs, so you'll want to pay close attention to the MIT Media Lab's latest brew. Tensor Displays combine layered low-cost panels with some clever software that assigns and alternates the image at a rapid pace, creating depth that actually looks fairly realistic. Gordon Wetzstein, one of the project creators, explained that the solution essentially "(takes) the complexity away from the optics and (puts) it in the computation," and since software solutions are far more easily scaled than their hardware equivalent, the Tensor Display concept could result in less expensive, yet superior 3D products. We caught up with the project at SIGGRAPH, where the first demonstration included four fixed images, which employed a similar concept as the LCD version, but with backlit inkjet prints instead of motion-capable panels. Each displaying a slightly different static image, the transparencies were stacked to give the appearance of depth without the typical cost. The version that shows the most potential, however, consists of three stacked LCD panels, each displaying a sightly different pattern that flashes back and forth four times per frame of video, creating a three-dimensional effect that appears smooth and natural. The result was certainly more tolerable than the glasses-free 3D we're used to seeing, though it's surely a long way from being a viable replacement for active-glasses sets -- Wetzstein said that the solution could make its way to consumers within the next five years. Currently, the technology works best in a dark room, where it's able to present a consistent image. Unfortunately, this meant the light levels around the booth were a bit dimmer than what our camera required, resulting in the underexposed, yet very informative hands-on video you'll see after the break.%Gallery-162096%
Stream TV finds a manufacturing partner in Pegatron for glasses-free 3D displays
We've been hearing about (and even seeing) Stream TV's Ultra-D autostereoscopic 3D chops for a while now, but so far there hasn't been any actual hardware to show for it. That could change soon, since the company is announcing OEM Pegatron as a manufacturing partner today. Ultra-D's claim to fame is the ability to bring clear 3D to displays of varying sizes, from portables to HDTVs with no loss of quality as well as SeeCube 2D-to-3D conversion technology. Pegatron builds devices for more recognizable names like Apple, Asus, Toshiba and others, and once they're ready to build products around the tech it should be able to put them together at more affordable prices than we've seen for glasses-free 3D hardware so far. CEO of Stream TV Mathu Rajan says this partnership will help it bring Ultra-D products to customers this year, so it might be time to clear out some space next to that 3DS and Evo 3D. We'll be convinced when we have Ultra-D hardware in our own hands, but until then you can check out the full press release after the break.
Toshiba Satellite P855 glasses-free 3D laptop hands-on (video)
Remember that glasses-free 3D Qosmio F750 (aka F755 in the US) gaming laptop we saw last year? We're not sure how many of them Toshiba has sold, but the company's PR folks tell us they've been popular enough to justify a further 15.6-inch glasses-free model -- a Satellite P855, which will have a more mainstream target audience. We're looking at exactly the same lenticular technology, which uses a webcam to adjust the 3D effect to the user's head movements, and which delivers effective results if you sit relatively still and give your eyes a chance to adapt. This time, however, the effect is delivered within a textured aluminum chassis that will likely appeal to a wider audience than the red-styled garishness of the Qosmio. The price tag has yet to be disclosed, but that should also be more appealing, since the Satellite range starts at £599 ($940). The P855 won't arrive until Q2 and Toshiba wasn't ready to reveal any concrete specs concerning the processor or graphics, other than saying this laptop is aimed at mainstream 3D gaming as well as Blu-Ray consumption. We asked about memory and storage too, but with no success -- all we could glean is that there are four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI out, Intel WiDi for direct WiFi beaming of 1080 video to a bigger screen, plus Harmon Kardon speakers. C'mon Tosh, give us Ivy Bridge paired with a 28nm Kepler GPU and make the world happy. (Hands-on video right after the break.)%Gallery-149783%
WikiPad prototype hits CES 2012, does exist
Wikipad's promise of a touchscreen, dual-analog gaming controls and glasses-free display meant we were itching to get our gaming fingers on it. Heck, on paper that's the illegitimate love child of the Vita and the 3DS. Fortunately, we managed to bump into the tablet on the CES show floor. It turns out the tablet is quite a svelte thing once you unshackle it from the game controls. With a soft-touch backing, the eight-inch tablet hits the sweet spot size-wise, with a glasses-free 3D display that was able to show off the entirety of Avatar. Otherwise, it's Ice Cream Sandwich as normal. We're going to shrug off the OS sluggishness here to prototype teething, but it's something that we hope disappears in the finished product. Sadly, there's a bit of a major problem tackling a hands-on with this thing -- and it's not the Gamegear-trouncing size of the thing; the gaming controls weren't functioning with any games on the device we had. While the Sonic CD app icon on the Android desktop piqued our interest, it wasn't installed and we were then told that the controls weren't currently working with games. Menu navigation was possible, and the digital inputs were responsive, but a little shaky. The pair of analog sticks feel about right, though obviously we need to see some in-game responsiveness before we pass proper judgement. The device is set to launch during Spring, so hopefully they'll get the gaming side sorted soon. Expect a more in-depth hands-on when there's more to play around with. Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
WikiPad ties up glasses-free 3D with game controls, all in a happy Android ICS package
We're not lacking for tablets to check out when CES opens -- for real -- later today. And here's another one that we're intrigued to see whether it makes it past the point of vaporware. The features sound pretty persuasive, with a glasses-free 3D display, gaming controls -- including dual-analog sticks -- and, apparently, Ice Cream Sandwich. The WikiPad is pegged for launch this spring through its (at the moment, pretty empty) site below. The Julian Assange endorsement is presumably still pending.
MasterImage 3D glasses-free smartphone and tablet displays hands-on
When MasterImage 3D announced two new displays for smartphones and tablets, you knew a hands-on would be inevitable. Based on the company's patented cell matrix parallax barrier, each display promises to eliminate much of the headaches typically associated with glasses-free 3D. As an added benefit of the cell matrix configuration, more light is allowed to pass through, which should prolong battery life. The smartphone display measures 4.3-inches at 720p resolution, while the tablet sizes up at 10.1-inches with a 1920 x 1200 layout. Generally, our thoughts on MasterImage's 3D technology were two-fold. First, it's absolutely true that the display is less nausea inducing, but when the image was viewed at its most proper angle, the three-dimensional effects were also less awe-inspiring. Nonetheless, the company has lined up partners for both displays and you should see the handiwork featured in consumer technology by the second half of this year.Ben Drawbaugh contributed to this post.
Sony unveils new family of Handycams: HDR CX760V/B steadies your hand with balanced image stabilization (hands-on)
We hope you're in the market for a camcorder, because Sony's cranked out a pile of new models to capture your favorite moving moments of 2012. We were particularly taken with the HDR CX760V/B Handycam. Its Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization feature moves the entire optical block, which significantly helped to maintain image stability during our hands-on. There's ample storage, with 96GB already baked in, while, like the rest of Sony's Handycam range there's also a back-lit Exmor R sensor. The HDR XR260V/B manages full HD video capture, 8.9 megapixel stills, optical image stabilization, a wide-angle G lens capable of 30x optical zoom. Storage is provided by a 160GB hard drive. Other models arrives with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar and a 2.7-inch touchscreen, available in both 8GB (CX210/B) and flash storage-only (CX200/B) models. The CX190/B follows the same vein, although it's limited to manual controls. The TD20V/S packs two sensors able to record high-definition 3D content at 1920 x 1080, or 24.1 megapixel stills. The 3D lens can also manage 10x optical, while there's a built-in glasses-free 3D display to showcase your content immediately. 64GB should ensure there's plenty of space for the data-hungry content. The PJ760V/B (96GB) and PJ710V/B (32GB) forgoes the 3D bells and whistles in favor of a built-in projector. There's balanced optical steady shot and a wide-angle Carl Zeiss Lens. The projector itself is capable of expanding your content up to 100 inches. Sound quality is cared for by a 5.1 surround mic. The PJ580V/B (32GB), PJ260V/B (16GB) and the removable storage-only PJ200V/B lists similar specs, but carries the more standard optical stabilization. Prices aren't yet announced, but expect the family to arrive before the end of the summer. Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Hands-on Toshiba's 55-inch 4K glasses-free 3DTV
You remember that Toshiba glassess free 4K 3DTV we told you about? Well, we got a chance to catch up with it at a Toshiba CES event and we're happy to say it doesn't suck. Not only is the 4k mode down right breathtaking, but the autostereoscopic 3D technology has come a long, long way since we saw a demo of a prototype last year. Up to nine people can enjoy 3D on the local dimming 55-inch LED 3DTV, but the optimal number is four or less. There is an almost invisible camera in the base of the set that tracks your face and there can be circles and arrows displayed on screen that help you move to the absolute best spot -- wish all TVs made it so easy to find the sweet spot. On display was a production model for outside the US, but our slightly different version is expected in Q1 2012 for more than most have ever paid for a TV (~$10k).
MasterImage 3D touts 720p glasses-free 3D smartphone display, WUXGA tablet panel
3D had its way with CES 2011, and despite throngs of consumers who could not possibly care less, it looks as if the third dimension will be doing its best to seem important at this year's gala, too. MasterImage 3D has just announced that it'll be showcasing a pair of new panels here in Las Vegas, with both relying on cell-matrix parallax barrier technology to pull off the "glasses-free" effect. Up first is a CMI-rivaling 720p HD 3D display meant for 4.3-inch smartphones; given the popularity of the EVO 3D, we're guessing it won't take HTC too long to snap a couple of these up in a bid to concoct an equally successful successor. Over on the tablet front, there's a 10.1-incher with a native WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) resolution, but there's no word yet on any OEMs selecting it for use on their next slate. We're told that all of the demos given will rely on Texas Instruments' OMAP4430 and OMAP4460 mobile processors, and not surprisingly, Android will be the OS underneath. We'll have a gander once the show floor opens up, but something tells us it'll look precisely like every other glasses-free 3D application: subpar.
LG updates eye-tracking, glasses-free 3D displays, learns to love the hyphen
We hope you're not too attached to that 20-inch DX2000 you got from LG back in July. (You did rush out and buy one, right?) 'Cause the Korean manufacturer has just updated its line of eye-tracking, glasses-free 3D displays with the 25-inch DX2500! Just like its smaller sibling, the DX2500 has a parallax barrier over the screen and an embedded camera for tracking head and eye movement. As a person shifts around the monitor it dynamically adjusts the image to (at least theoretically) maintain the best possible 3D effect. The screen also does on-the-fly 2D to 3D conversion. The DX2500 is shipping now in Korea for 1.3 million won (about $1,556) and should be available globally some time early in 2012. Check out the full PR after the break.
Sharp AQUOS SH-01D appears on NTT DoCoMo, offers up glasses-free 3D
Not content with brandishing a medley of LTE-packed smartphones this season, Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo has confirmed a December release for Sharp's AQUOS SH-01D. While it lacks any 4G chops, the Android phone is cocooned in waterproof protection and packs a 12.1 megapixel camera on the back. An OMAP 4430 1GHz dual-core processor runs Gingerbread on the 3D-capable 1280 x 720 ASV display -- all crammed inside a waifish 9.7mm frame. Despite a recent visit to the FCC, there's no word on whether the water-defiant device will brave the Pacific ocean to arrive on these shores. However, any ex-patriots gasping for the SH-10D's potent screen will be able to grab one on December 2 and can unravel more specification mysteries in the Google-translated press release below.
CMI shows off 720p glasses-free 3D display for smartphones with 2D off-angle viewing
Glasses-free 3D displays for smartphones and tablets aren't exactly anything new, but Chimei Innolux (otherwise known as CMI) has devised a novel twist for its latest 4.3-inch screen. Not only does it boast a high 720p resolution, but it employs a new "cell gap" process that displays a standard 2D image when you view the screen at an off-angle, instead of leaving you with a murky 3D image. The company also promises that the 3D images are brighter with less of a moire effect than other displays, and it's able to work in any orientation. As you might have suspected from the state of the prototype pictured above however, there's unfortunately no word as to when it might wind up in an actual phone.
DXG-5F9V makes home video memories a 1080p HD affair, 3D glasses not required
Who said all the 3D perks had to be reserved for Hollywood? DXG's making the home video fun a virtual en vivo experience with the release of its 3D and 2D camcorder, set to hit the company's online store today. For $299, you're getting a 5 megapixel still camera and glasses-free, 1080p HD video recording at 30fps, viewable on either the handheld's autostereoscopic 3.2-inch LCD display or the flatscreen of your choosing via an included HDMI cable. The DXG-5F9V only ships with 128MB of storage inbuilt, so if you're aiming to immortalize your Jackass-worthy shenanigans, you'll want to secure a 32GB SD card for additional capacity. With the holidays fast approaching, this might be your best bet to relive those looks of disappointment on Christmas morning. Official presser after the break.
