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Samsung floats old-style 3D glasses with Bluetooth sync through the FCC
We didn't spot these in their CES booth, but Samsung recently got FCC approval for these SSG-3100GB 3D glasses that feature the style used on last year's specs, but with Bluetooth sync for its new 2011 3DTVs. Of course they don't have the super-light cachet of its wireless charging Silhouette-designed SSG-3700CR specs, but we'll keep an eye out for the pricetags of each set when they arrive in stores.
Man discovers glasses-free 3D tech in the blink of an eye (video)
Who's got two thumbs and needs glasses to see 3D? Not this guy! Francois Vogel's figured out a way to remove those pesky spectacles from the equation, and he's ready to revolutionize the stereoscopic industry forever. Sure, you'll need a monitor with a 120Hz refresh rate, but that's a prerequisite these days anyhow, and the rest is sweet, sticky gravy dished directly to your eyeballs. Get a sneak peek at the game-changing tech in the video above, and keep an eye out for unicorns (we're sure they're around here somewhere). You'll never look at 3D the same way again, we promise. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
XpanD Youniversal 3D glasses hand & face on
We weren't able to check out the customization features of XpanD's latest active shutter LCD 3D glasses, but we did get to try them on at their booth for a moment. They're markedly lighter than the company's other 3D specs and the side pods for the battery and settings storage seem to do a decent job of blocking light from the sides. We'll need to sit down for a few rounds of NBA 2K11 3D or Resident Evil: Afterlife to know how they hold up in real life but in the meantime check out the pics in the gallery. %Gallery-113549%
Freescale Semiconductor and RealD working to improve active shutter 3D
Passive 3D seems to be the new home entertainment hotness at CES this year, but that doesn't mean the industry has given up on active shutter. Case in point, Freescale Semiconductor and RealD have announced they're developing an "enhanced 3D active eyewear solution" that combines Freescale's RF4CE platform for the over-the-air 3D synchronization with RealD's switching, filtering, and optical technology. Powered by Freescale's MC1323x System on a Chip, the new system hopes to eliminate many the problems plaguing IR-based active shutter like line-of-sight and of field-of-vision limitations. It should also allow 3D glasses to operate from longer distances, and since it takes advantage of the same radio frequency used by remotes, it could lower overall costs for manufacturers to boot. Keep in mind though that unlike NVIDIA's RF-based 3D Vision Pro Tech, all of these wondrous promises are just talk with no walk -- so we'll throttle our excitement until we can go eyes-on with some actual gear. For all the details hit up the PR after the break.
Samsung busts out SSG-3700CR active Bluetooth 3D glasses, wireless charging base station
They certainly aren't able to claim a world's first here, but our universe could still use a few extra alternatives to the flood of IR-based active 3D glasses on the market. Following up on XpanD's announcement from CES 2010, Samsung has revealed its SSG-3700CR spectacles. Hailed as "featherlight, RF-enabled 3D active glasses," these Bluetooth-equipped face accessories weigh less than a single ounce, can be operated in wired and wireless modes and are compatible with Sammy's newest LCD and plasma HDTVs. You'll also get an adjustable / removable nose pad, customized fitting options and the ability to add prescription glass, too. Oh, and since it's physically impossible to own a pair of these without also handing over as much cash as necessary for a charging base, there's the CY-SWC1000A. The outfit's calling this the first wireless charging station for its 2011 3D activate glasses, supporting up to four sets at a time and looking fairly svelte all the while. It's a crying shame that no one at Sammy is willing to talk dollars and cents, but if you've been following its other CES 2011 releases, you'll accurately assume that these two will also ship at some point in the next six months. %Gallery-112508%
Samsung touts Bluetooth 3D support on LED 8000 / 7000 HDTV line, intros D8000 and D6500 plasmas
Are you ready to look your existing 3D HDTV in the face (yeah, the one you purchased a fortnight ago) and tell it that aren't enticed in the least by Samsung's latest? Good luck with that. As it tends to do each year, Sammy is busting out a barrage of new releases here at CES, and is kicking things off with a smattering of big-screen television sets. Up first is the high-end LED 8000 series, comprised of 46-, 55-, 60- and 65-inch models. The UND8000 line boasts a restyled, 0.2-inch wide metal bezel, and there's plenty of Smart TV enhancements to gawk over. You'll get a full web browser, media search panel, an advanced recommendation feature and a Touch Control TV remote (complete with 3-inch screen) to dictate it all. The most interesting feature, however, is likely the support for Bluetooth 3D glasses; rather than relying on IR, the Bluetooth approach promises to improve on the line-of-sight, range and interference issues that some struggle with today. Other specifications across the line include 240Hz de-jitter technology, a 1080p panel, inbuilt WiFi and support for Skype.Moving right along, the D7000 series arrives as a threesome, offering buyers the choice of 46-, 55- or 60-inches of diagonal screen space. You'll still find a frighteningly thin 0.2-inch thick bezel here, Bluetooth 3D Active Glasses support, 3D playback, a 1080p panel, inbuilt WiFi and Skype support, but you'll miss out on the Micro Dimming Plus and the snazzy universal remote. If you'd prefer to go the plasma route, the D8000 crew would be happy to oblige. Available in 51-, 59- and 64-inch screen sizes, these 1080p 3D sets were designed with a slimmer bezel that offers up to a full inch increase in viewing screen size over last year's models, and each one measures just 1.5-inch thick. You'll also get a Touch Control TV remote thrown in, a 0.001ms response time, USB ConnectShare Movie, inbuilt WiFi, DLNA streaming support and the ability to Skype over your TV if you buy an optional webcam. Stepping down a notch, there's the D6500 line, which is offered in 51- and 59-inch sizes and simply trims down on a few of the more advanced features. We're still waiting to hear back on MSRPs, but you can expect each and every one of these to hit US retailers in the first half of the year.%Gallery-112483%%Gallery-112484%
LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs
Thanks to a couple of carefully planned slips over in South Korea, hardly anything about LG's CES 2011 is apt to take you fully by surprise. But if you just so happened to disconnect over the holidays, we'll break it all down below to ensure you remain firmly in the loop. For starters, the outfit seems pretty darn proud of its new SmartTV platform. Hinted at last month, this system enables HDTVs, Blu-ray players and other sources to access all sorts of streaming media, apps and even provides users with a way to surf the web. Four main sections are given -- TV Live, Premium Content, TV Apps and a Launch Bar -- and for TV models, owners will control things with a wave of the hand (read: Magic Remote). SmartTV picks up where NetCast left off, offering access to Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, NHL Gamecenter, NBA Game Live and MLB.tv. This here functionality is baked into quite a few of the outfit's 2011 HDTVs, but should own an older model... Then there's the all-new SmartTV upgrader! The ST600 is a minuscule set-top box that aims to transform any TV into a SmartTV. So long as your set has an HDMI input, you'll be able to access the content mentioned above. But, of course, it's on you to source your own Magic Remote. If it's an all-new TV you're after, the company is also revealing its 2011 LED and LCD HDTV line. Nary a one is different than those we heard about last week, but at least you can now rest easy knowing that the LW9500 and LW7700 Nano Full HD 3D models will indeed see a stateside release this month. The best news here is the use of polarizing glasses -- none of that headache-inducing active shutter mess. There are 13 new LED LCD models in all, with nine of 'em shipping with the SmartTV platform embedded. Unfortunately, LG's not dishing out pricing information on these bad boys just yet. Not so keen on picking up an LCD? Plasma still lives, you know! LG's rolling out its 1080p Infinia PZ950 and PZ750 lines here at CES, with both available in 50-inch and 60-inch class sizes. Both lines come equipped with the SmartTV platform, a gesture-based Magic Motion remote andl as a free Android / iPhone app if you'd rather use your phone as a remote. The 50- / 60-inch PZ550 is saddling with NetCast 1.0, but it -- along with the PW350, PZ950 and PZ750 lines -- can handle 3D imagery. Sadly, LG's also straying from providing pricing details on these. Wrapping things up, the company is debuting its 2011 line of networked Blu-ray players and home theater systems. The BD690 supports 3D BD playback and ships with an inbuilt 250GB HDD and the SmartTV platform. The majority of LG's line also includes WiFi, DLNA streaming support and a MusicID feature by Gracenote that enables consumers to play a song from a movie of TV show by mashing a single button on the remote. The BD670, BD650, BD640, BD630 and BD650 are also seeing the light of day, with the latter being LG's first portable BD deck. Finally, LG snuck in an image (seen above) of a 3D mobile TV prototype. We've no details whatsoever to go on, but you can rest assured we'll be scouring the show floor in search of just that. For more information on all of the goods here, head on past the break for the full releases. Don't expect to find any pricing information, though. %Gallery-112603%
Samsung crafts 'world's lightest' 3D glasses in partnership with Silhouette
You had to know that once LG sought a designer's inspiration for improving its 3D eyewear, Samsung too would be recruiting outside help with its three-dee goggles. Sure enough, Sammy has partnered up with Austrian design firm Silhouette to deliver what it claims are the world's lightest 3D glasses, weighing a measly 28g. The design is such that all the electronics are housed in two compartments at the rear of the specs, permitting for a perfect weight balance between the front and back. They'll supposedly fit on adults and children alike, will recharge wirelessly, and will also detect when 3D content is being beamed at them and automatically switch on and off. Their ability to deliver compelling content to make 3D TVs worth it, however, remains a mystery. We should be seeing plenty more of these active shutter lightweights at CES this week.
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.
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."
Sony's VPL-VW90ES 3D projector priced and dated for the US
Say hello to the latest additions to Sony's lineup of SXRD projectors announced at CEDIA 2010, the VPL-VW90ES and the VPL-VWPRO1. Previously introduced at IFA, the VPL-VW90ES is not only Sony's first projector to wear the Elevated Standard brand and include all the custom installer tidbits that go with that, but it's also the first to do 3D. The MSRP for all that high end construction, 240Hz framerate and 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness is a buck under $10,000 when it ships in November. Just in case you don't have that in your couch cushions, it's also introduced a new 2D-only model at the lower end of the line, the VPL-VWPRO1 has a higher brightness rating than its more expensive cousin, but a lower contrast ratio and price of $3,400, available in October. Check the press release after the break for all the specs available or just peek in the gallery for our hands-on pics. %Gallery-103142%
MSI's Wind Top AE2420 3D hits US shores for $1,800, Blu-ray and glasses included
Well, it's about time! Excuse our impatience / excitement, but we've been hearing about MSI's 3D all-in-one since March, and the company's finally done putting the finishing touches on it. While MSI's claiming it's the "world's first 3D all-in-one," the Wind Top AE2420 3D isn't just another 3D display that comes with active shutter glasses -- though it does have those features and in unison they do a mighty good job of displaying high def, three-dee video and images. But beyond all that, the company's gone and packed the back of the 24-inch, 120Hz LED panel with a Core i7 870s processor, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 graphics, 4GB of RAM, and a terabyte of storage. And that's not all... amongst other things, the right and left edges are home to a USB 3.0 port and Blu-Ray drive. Oh yes, it's one monster of a machine, but it's gonna cost ya: MSI says the system will come in at $1,800 at most e-tailers, though there may be some other configurations. Still, the swirly design, touchscreen and THX speakers make it a rather luring family or living room PC. Either way, we're just happy this thing's finally arrived -- hit the break for the full press release as well as the gallery below for some pictures of the rig and MSI's rather hefty glasses. %Gallery-102079%
Sony announces VPL-VW90ES 3D projector at IFA 2010
After a quiet year in projectors, Sony's VPL-VW90ES is landing with a bang as the company's first 3D model. With a 240Hz SXRD panel, it syncs up with the same active shutter glasses used with Sony's 3DTVs. The rated contrast ratio is now up to 150,000:1, while the fan noise measures at just 22db. No word yet on a price (last year's VPL-VW85 started at $8k) but it's shipping in Europe in November, so if any of the TVs we've seen so far just aren't large enough, you know what to buy.
NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro Technology uses RF syncing to woo professionals
NVIDIA has a strong lead in PC land with its IR-based GeForce 3D Vision tech, but apparently us lowly consumers aren't enough for the squiggly green eyeball. The company has just announced NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro, which makes use of RF syncing to give the glasses a 150 foot range, along with avoiding some of those line of sight and crosstalk issues that plague the IR glasses used by most 3D-at-home applications. NVIDIA plans to market this new system, which will be out in October, to professionals for tasks such as 3D modeling and medical imaging, and just in case you don't believe them they've priced the glasses at $349 and the RF hub at $399. Still, when have unreasonable costs ever stood between us pesky proles and the 3D nectar we yearn for? There's a press release after the break, along with a video of Siemens putting the glasses to use on some ultrasound imaging.
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...
Sony's active shutter glasses now on sale, $150 buys your eyes a third dimension
Sony may have an impressive lineup of 3D HDTVs, but only the LX900 series comes with the requisite glasses for out-of-the-box 3D enjoyment. Thankfully, the company sells active shutter specs separately, and they're now on sale -- you'll find pairs shipping now for $150 a pop at the Sony Store and several small e-tailers via Amazon. Keep in mind you'll still need an IR emitter to sync those shades -- also available, for a $50 extra charge -- and likely a 3D Blu-ray player (or a PlayStation 3) if you want to have anything to watch. Isn't the future grand?
ESPN 3D officially launches with FIFA World Cup coverage: live from Bristol
It's official, one of the most popular networks in the US (if not the world) kicked off its 3D branch in style today, and we made the trek to ESPN's campus in Bristol, Connecticut to experience it first hand. Put simply, the campus is any gadget or sports nerd's paradise; technology is oozing from every corner of every building, including the one we gathered with other press today in order to witness the start of a monumental three-dee journey. At the front of the large conference room was a 72-inch Samsung DLP, which was delivering the 2010 FIFA World Cup kickoff in 3D from Johannesburg, South Africa. It should be noted that none of the 25 World Cup matches that'll be delivered in 3D aren't being shot by ESPN; instead, FIFA has contracted HBS to shoot and distribute a "world feed." We didn't notice too many glitches during the opening match, but ESPN assures us that native transfers will look even better once they kick things off here in the homeland with the MLB Home Run Derby from Anaheim on July 12th. As for the tech side of things, ESPN was taking in the 1080i50 side by side 3D signal and converting it to the US-friendly 1080i60 side by side, and since DLP sets expect the checkerboard 3D format, a RealD POD was used to make the link between the cable set-top-box and the TV. The glasses were supplied by XpanD, but not the same universal shutter glasses that we expect to be available at retail soon. Afer we took in the setup, we sat down to enjoy the match, which was opened with a handful of pristinely shot 3D commercials -- of course. A Sony spot kicked off with a soccer team practicing, and naturally ended with a goal exploding in slow motion; without a doubt, this was one of the more spectacular uses of 3D that we've seen, though we're guessing that the budget for the ad was somewhere near the stratosphere. The other commercials weren't any less impressive, with another trio concerning a Gillette razor, Toy Story 3, and a downright comical 'This is SportsCenter' ad where Niel Everett gets a little too close to a pricey 3D camera with his trusty Louisville Slugger. We'll be bringing you more coverage from here in Bristol as the day continues, with the grand finale coming in a special Engadget Show segment that should go up next week. For now, head on past the break for a few impressions from the 1-1 draw. %Gallery-94968%
Toshiba Dynabook TX/98MBL is first to play Blu-ray 3D content
Ah industry firsts, a chance to grab the spotlight before the world grabs hold of your coattails. Toshiba's Dynabook TX/98MBL claims to be the industry's first laptop to play back 3D content in Blu-ray format when it ships at the end of July in Japan. The 15.6-inch laptop with LED backlit 120Hz panel (60Hz to each eye when viewed through active shutter glasses) pushing 1,366 x 768 pixels utilizes WinDVD BD to playback the Blu-ray 3D format with some help from NVIDIA's 3D Vision software and GeForce GTS 350M hardware with 1GB of dedicate video RAM. Inside you'll find a Core i7-740QM processor, 640GB of hard disk, up to 4GB of memory, a Blu-ray disc drive of course, and harman/kardon stereo speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio to help make the most out of 3D gaming. Price is not listed but it's expected to list for about ¥250,000 (about $2,700). What, you do want 3D on your 15-inch laptops don't you? Update: Toshiba wants you to know that it'll be called the Toshiba Satellite A665 in Europe, presumably because "TX/98MBL" can only be pronounced by the Japanese.
Sharp plunges headfirst into 3D market with LV-series Quattron TVs, Blu-ray DVRs
Looks like Sharp's keeping its word -- next month, the fourth-largest LCD TV maker will launch a slate of new 3D TVs in Japan, just as planned. Based on the same Sharp Quattron quad-pixel technology that made George Takei's jaw drop, the new LV-series of AQUOS panels will come in 40-, 46-, 52- and 60-inch sizes when they debut July 30th, and feature 1080p resolution, UV²A panels and a high-speed signaling technology named FRED that Sharp says increases brightness and reduces crosstalk. More interesting are the AN-3DG10 glasses that come with them, which reportedly allow each individual viewer decide whether to view content in 2D or 3D -- we're guessing by tweaking the glasses to show either the left or right image to both eyes simultaneously, instead of flipping back and forth. Of course, you'll also need something to watch, and thus Sharp will also release a pair of Blu-ray DVR units, the BD-HDW700 and BD-HDW70, which record two simultaneous Japanese television programs onto terabyte-sized hard drives when they're not sending Blu-ray 3D content to the aforementioned displays. While mum's the word on pricing, Impress Watch believes the TVs will start around ¥280,000 (around $3,067) and top out at a cool ¥600,000 ($6,581) for that 60-incher, and says that US and European variants are expected later this year. While you wait, why not take a deep dive into the details -- you'll find an entire brochure's worth at our source links.
Sanyo brings short-focus projector into the third dimension, may never look back
Sanyo's been a relatively large player in the short-focus / short-throw projector game for awhile now, so frankly, this was inevitable. As everyone (and their third cousin, in fact) races to jump on the three-dee bandwagon, the aforesaid company has just pumped out its first 3D short-focus PJ. The PDG-DWL2500J doesn't boast the most amazing of specs -- the native resolution sits at just WXGA -- but it can project a 3D image from a distance as short as 2.4 centimeters. It also touts a maximum projection size of 110 inches, and it can be installed vertically or horizontally depending on your mood. There's also an HDMI socket, Ethernet port, 16:10 aspect ratio, 2,500 lumens of brightness, a single 10-watt speaker and a price tag that'll probably make you spit out your morning coffee. Word on the street has it that this one will launch next month in Japan for ¥450,000, and if that $4,868 conversion follows it stateside, you can bet only a handful will be lined up to drag one home. %Gallery-93207%
