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Samsung and Panasonic 3DTVs use same active shutter glasses tech, but are (mostly) incompatible
At a recent London shindig to promote its 3D television sets, Samsung revealed that the active shutter glasses used to view its glorious, mighty, breathtaking 3D content are based on the same technology as Panasonic's, only they're reversed. That is to say, using your Sammy 3D specs to view Panasonic's 3DTVs won't work -- unless you flip them upside down. You read that right, the two companies have opted for different implementations of the same technology, resulting in the farcical outcome that glasses will be interchangeable between their sets only if you're happy to wear them upside down. How that's gonna help the 3D takeup effort, we don't know, but Samsung R&D chief Simon Lee does see a light at the end of this dim, poorly focused tunnel, stating that manufacturers are likely to agree a common active shutter glasses standard "as early as next year." You might wanna look XpanD's way if you want universal compatibility before then, or away in disgust if you're already tired of all the absurdity surrounding 3D.
Viewsonic delivers its own $99 3D glasses
Say hello to the latest competitor in the 3D glasses market as ViewSonic has unwrapped its PGD-150 shutter shades. Don't expect to set these up with those IR-syncing flat panels that are all the rage recently however, these particular glasses are designed for DLP Link compatible 3D projectors... like the ones ViewSonic sells. With a reported 50ft effective range and 70 hour battery in a ruggedized design, we're figuring these are probably more suited to a workplace environment that so many of the projectors we've seen are destined for, but if you want to wear them in your own living room we won't stop you.
Sony's 3D glasses rated at 55 Alice in Wonderland viewings per charge
As we get closer and closer to being run over by a wave of 3D televisions, Blu-ray players, and assorted peripherals, we can start to see more of the details of that oncoming rush. Most recently revealed is the battery life of Sony's active shutter glasses. As we've reported before, Sony is diving face-first into 3D technology for the home and each face that wants to follow along will need a pair of $133 TDG-BR100 or TDG-BR50 glasses perched upon it. Both models will manage 100 hours of active viewing before running dry -- less than half the 250 hours Panasonic is pledging for its peepers, but more than double the 40 hours for NVIDIA's option. 100 hours sounds like a lot, sure, but coming hot on the heels of Nielsen's 35 hours per week of television report, we're thinking you'd better keep that recharger nearby.
Sony unveils 3DTV release dates and pricing for Japan
Kicking off an expected repeat flood of 3DTV info over the next few days (Samsung and Panasonic both have events scheduled over the next couple of days) Sony has revealed pricing and shipping information for its new televisions and related accessories in Japan. The new sets share that sweet/ominous monolithic style of the already available NX800 series (also announced today in Japan, along with fellow 2D-only HX700 LCD and DVR-packing BX30H televisions,) with the edge-lit LED LX900 bringing the entire 3D package. With IR emitter built in and two pairs of RealD active shutter glasses, all you'll need to add is a source to the 60-, 51-, 46- and 40-inch models, ranging in price from ¥580,000 ($6,444) to ¥290,000 ($3,222.) Even if the TDG-BR100 / TDG-BR50 3D glasses (also available as an accessory for ¥12,000 ($133) or so) aren't on your face this WiFi-connected abyss of entertainment will look back into you, using face tracking to detect if someone is sitting too close and warn them to move back, as well as dimming and eventually turning off the screen if you leave the room or simply looked away from the TV for an extended period. Want to get the full 3D effect with the LED backlit HX900 and edge-lit HX800? Expect to purchase the glasses and TMR-BR100 IR emitter (¥5,000 or $55) separately, or just live a 2D lifestyle and know the 3D is there if you ever want to upgrade. Feel free to wander through Sony Japan's machine-translated website for more specs and prices of these June & July scheduled displays or alternatively, wait a little while, enjoy the trailer embedded after the break, and we should get some find out U.S.-specific details soon that will likely be considerably easier on the wallet.
HDI CEO admits that smaller laser 3D HDTVs could become a reality, 103-incher coming in June
We've been waiting on Woz's favorite 3D display ever to ship for quite some time, and as of now, no delays have been seen. According to a new interview with HDI CEO Ingemar Jansson, the June ship date for its 103-inch, laser-based monster is still on track, with a $10,000 price tag being placed on it when ordered "in volume." Frankly, there's not much here that we haven't already heard about the new face of 1080p 3D in the home; what is new, however, is the mention that smaller versions could very well be on the horizon. Regardless of whether you're man or woman enough to admit it, a 103-inch set is far too large for the vast majority of homes, so a 46-inch iteration -- which was mentioned specifically in the dialog -- could be a perfect alternative. There was no time table or estimated price given for the smaller version(s), but you can bet we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more. Oh, and if you don't think an HDTV upstart can give Sony, Sharp and Samsung a run for their money, there's a "Mr. Vizio" in the back room that would like to have a word with you.
XpanD to supply Philips with 3D active shutter glasses
Early on it appeared XpanD owned the active shutter glasses market until Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba all announced they'd use RealD's active shutter glasses instead. In fact the only deal XpanD announced during CES was with Vizio who was using the Bluetooth variety with its 3D HDTVs. Although not official, we'd be willing to bet these are the very same glasses that'll be included in the in the "3D upgrade pack" for the Philips HDTVs that are 3D ready. Not sure why some TV manufactures choose one brand over another, but as soon as these make it into reviewer's hands we'll find out.
VIZIO's 2010 XVT LCDs go up to 72-inches with 3D, LED, WiFi & WirelessHD
Remember VIZIO's LED backlit 55-inch XVT LCD with WiFi and widgets that debuted for two grand last year and seemed like such a value? Great, now go ahead and forget it because the company's top of the line model in August will switch over to a monster 72-inch 480Hz LCD (above) with 3D, WirelessHD, VIZIO Internet Apps widget platform and Wireless-N for $3,499. If that's too big to fit your budget (or in our case, tiny shoebox apartment) there will also be 55- and 47-inch versions available, with all the same features plus a new antireflective panel for those of you who like to keep the lights on during, they'll cost $2,499 and $1,999, respectively. These 3D displays feature SENSIO technology and Bluetooth-synchronized active shutter LCD glasses from XpanD, while a VIZIO XVT Pro Wireless HDMI Adapter is available separately with 4 HDMI inputs to blast HD signals across the room on the 60Ghz band. Cinema enthusiasts also have something to look forward to, check the gallery below for shots of the 58-inch ultrawidescreen 21:9 aspect ratio XVTPRO580CD, no word on a ship date or price but when it appears later this year you can kiss black bars during movies goodbye. We're sure we'll see more models from VIZIO before CES is out for the smaller, less 3D friendly homes, but right now it doesn't look like the company plans on giving up its LCD sales crown anytime soon -- these combinations of features and pricing may prove very difficult to say no to. PR with other details is after the break. %Gallery-81478%
Samsung, JVC pick RealD tech for their new 3D LCD televisions
A part of 3D's assault on the home theater this year is a battle over which glasses technology each manufacturer will choose, and after locking up Sony RealD has announced its tech is coming alongside new displays from JVC and Samsung. While JVC's 3D LCDs will use circular polarized passive glasses (like the ones you've probably worn at the movies) Samsung is promising to work on both active shutter LCD and passive eyewear models -- no word yet on any Gucci tie-ins, but it's still early.
Sony teams up with RealD for 3D, headaches in the home
While Sony is certainly no stranger to 3D, RealD has proven more than capable when it comes to active shutter technology (as we saw earlier when the company partnered up with 3ality to broadcast an NFL game). According to the Wall Street Journal, Sony will license RealD's technology and equipment (including 3D eyewear) for use on its TVs and other products -- with the fruits of this partnership due to hit store shelves sometime next year. Could this be the big push that home 3D has been waiting for? We don't know, but if it brings our dreams of Becker in 3D! one step closer to reality, we're all for it.
Blu-ray 3D specifications finalized, your PS3 is ready
In case plans by AMD and a slew of other tech vendors planning to showcase 3D Blu-ray compatible products at CES wasn't a tip-off, the updated specifications are done. The key details? First, that the Blu-ray Disc Association has chosen the Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec to store 3D, so that even though it is now providing a full 1080p frame for each eye, it will only require about 50% more storage space compared to the 2D version, and all discs will be fully backwards compatible, in 2D, on existing players. Better than backwards compatibility, the PlayStation 3 will be forwards compatible with the new discs -- a new HDTV setup (the spec promises to work with plasmas, LCDs or projectors equally well) with IR emitters and glasses will still be necessary. According to the PR (after the break) we can expect Blu-ray 3D-stickered products in 2010, our only advice is to keep those responsible for the Cowboys Stadium abomination far, far away from it.
Panasonic Full HD 3D experience eyes-on
It's been less than a year since we first entered Panasonic's demo trailer, the main difference at CEDIA this year was the addition of a trailer for James Cameron's Avatar. We were lucky enough to get an early look at the footage shown, while it shared much with the trailer released a few weeks ago, you haven't seen the Terminator and Titanic director's latest effort unless you've seen it in 3D. Check after the break for the rest of our thoughts on the 3D demo, and what the future has to hold for this display tech in the home.
