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Sony selling 3D bundle deals for a limited time
In a rare move, Sony has deviated from their pricey reputation to offer two special 3D bundle promotions until July 17th -- or while supplies still last -- with the clear intention of enticing wavering adopters to veer whole-hog into 3D. The options boil down to either a 46-inch or 54.6-inch Bravia HX8000 for $270 / $340 off their retail prices, respectively, and as a bonus, buyers will receive a variety of 3D accessories valued at $899 for free. Rolled into that $899 goody basket are two pairs of 3D glasses, a 3D sync transmitter, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and IMAX Deep Sea 3D, as well as four 3D games for the PS3 (two are demos); and finally the BDV-E570 3D home theater in-a-box. Depending on how you define "savings," this deal amounts to around $1,200 greenbacks you won't have to shell out for a complete 3D-ready package. At $2,429 for the 46-inch and $3,059 for the 54.6-inch package though, you'll still be required to dig deep into your wallet to bring either of these promotions couch-side.
Sony's 2010 ES line includes 3D and excludes online retailers; Android remote app on the way
Given the company's focus on 3D this year, it's not at all a surprise to see Sony's 2010 line of ES receivers (and lone Blu-ray player) touched up with a dash of 3D support and HDMI 1.4-compatible features, but it may be a shocker to see their sale restricted to "specialty AV retailers and custom installers." That means no Amazon.com or other online retailers, but wherever one finds the STR-DA5600ES, STRA-DA4600ES, and STR-DA 3600ES, they'll include IP, RS-232 and IR control support for easy home automation integration, iPhone remote control (Android -- and of course we'd expect Google TV -- version coming soon) as well as working as an Ethernet hub and DLNA streaming device. At the top of the line the STR-DA5600ES ships in September for $2,000 and is able to automatically calibrate audio for speaker types (like last year's), plus locations and angles, function as a DLNA Live Audio server itself and stream audio and video to other rooms via HDMI (six in, two out) or CAT5e. While the remaining models do a bit less, for a bit less when they all ship in August, the STR-DN2010 is a new model for 2010 at just $800. As for the Blu-ray player, the BDP-S1700ES ships with 3D movie play back, BRAVIA Internet video and Qriocity streaming WiFi and Gracenote database browser for $400 this August, check for a picture and specs on all after the break.
Clash of the Titans Blu-ray 3D dated in Japan, packed in with Aquos 3DTVs
Ok, we're not sure that Clash of the Titans is the kind of 3D experience we'd want someone to have on their first time -- in case you've forgotten, a weak movie and a poor 2D to 3D conversion added up to a weak reception in reviews when the movie was in theaters -- but Sharp apparently thinks differently. It's promoting the movie alongside the 3D editions of its Quattron LCD HDTVs and, assuming our understanding of machine translated Japanese is correct, will be tossing in a copy gratis with purchases. At least in Japan, the 2D version of the blu-ray will be released august 25, with the 3D & 2D combo pack arriving October 6, if you've just got to have your Sam Worthington fix before Avatar is rereleased in November.
Sony gears up for Blu-ray 3D mastering and production in Japan
Good news if you find yourself in Tokyo and just have to have a Blu-ray 3D disc made, as Sony DADC Japan and Sony PCL are equipped to produce them. They're open for business July 1, following the Panasonic facilities opened last month, check out an authoring suite at Sony PCL pictured above. So far the facilities have focused on Blu-ray 2D, DVD and UMD production, but since 3DTV has been on the air in Japan for quite some time, we're expecting there to be a quite a backlog of content to bring home on disc.
Sony 3DTVs go on pre-sale at Sony Style stores immediately, 'Cloudy' hits Blu-ray 3D June 22
After getting price and release date information in the UK, Japan and even Canada, Sony has finally seen fit to announce US details for the latest and greatest additions to the BRAVIA LCD lineup. Additionally, the software update to turn on Blu-ray 3D playback and DLNA streaming in its latest players (the out of the box 3D ready BDP-S770 ships next month) is going out today, provided you can find a disc to slip in them -- which you can't until Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs arrives at retail June 22. Just like the other launches, buyers of the new TVs can expect a copy of that movie, Deep Sea, and vouchers for 3D games on the PlayStation Network (once it comes back up.) Oh, and how much will you be spending on the new televisions? Check after the break for all the details, but MSRPs (expect much lower prices in reality, as revealed by JR.com) range from $2,100 for the KDL-40HX800 to $5,000 for a 60-inch BR-60LX900. No word yet on when you'll be able to pick up these displays at any other retailers, but if Sony is your preferred brand for 3D, you'll need to run by a Sony Style store to have a chance of sticking one on the wall in time for the 2010 World Cup.
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.
Japan, Europe ready to deliver Blu-ray 3D discs
The U.S. may have been first with a Blu-ray 3D capable authoring facility, but Europe and Asia are on the case, with Imagion AG delivering the EU's first 3D disc (ironically, if we're not Alanis Morrisette-ing the meaning, Grand Canyon Adventure) and Panasonic replicating its US facility in Roppongi,Tokyo. Of course, over here it's still a wait and see game to find out when the first retail 3D release arrives, but seeing some of the same names that pushed through early Blu-ray disc technology is a welcome sign things should ramp up quickly.
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.
Intel HD graphics to support 3D this summer, 30 more WiDi laptops on the way
Intel's integrated graphics are about to get a stereoscopic shot in the arm this summer. Although the Computex presentation today wasn't clear on whether it would come in the form of a firmware update or all-new hardware, we're being promised the ability to watch 3D movies straight off Blu-ray discs. Mind you, the GMA HD graphics aren't aimed at competing with NVIDIA's 3D Vision or any other heavyweights, not least because they'll be relying on polarized lenses to generate that extra sense of depth. Intel had even better news regarding its Wireless Display tech -- which throws your laptop's picture onto a nearby HDTV -- as it will soon be spreading out to "over 30" laptop models and going global. You can count on Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, and Samsung to bundle this Google TV-killing functionality in with their portable computers sooner rather than later. Update: A bunch of the new WiDi laptops were on display at Intel's Computex booth. Looks like we are in for some new ones from HP, Acer and Dell. Check out the gallery below. %Gallery-94341%
Poll: Do you think Avatar will ship on Blu-ray 3D this year?
Fox's flat denial appeared to squelch the possibility of a 2010 release of Avatar on Blu-ray 3D disc, but HollywoodinHiDef is suggesting Panasonic has secured an exclusive and will pack it in with HDTVs and Blu-ray players in November. Of course, that matches the original information mentioned to the Wall Street Journal by James Cameron, plus Panasonic has participated heavily in the movie's promotion and would love a little return on its investment sooner rather than later. Still, this remains firmly in rumor territory so we'll bring the question to you, will we be able to watch Avatar in 3D, at home, in 2010? %Poll-47292%
Disney's A Christmas Carol Blu-ray 3D box art -- and $50 srp -- revealed
Disney announced its first Blu-ray 3D disc Disney's A Christmas Carol would arrive in the fourth quarter during CES, but now TheHDRoom has box art for what will be a 4-disc combo pack including a 3D edition, 2D Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy. "Scrooge's Wild Ride" is exclusive to the 3D version, but both will have a 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack. The only bad news is a $49.99 srp for the pack, so we hope you really, really liked Jim Carrey's take on Scrooge -- the 2D Blu-ray version has a $39.99 srp.
Panasonic sweetens the 3DTV deal with Coraline, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 3D Blu-rays
We know what you're thinking: "there's no way I'm buying a 3DTV until there's actually some content available to watch." To tide you over, Panasonic's announced a promotion for new buyers to be among the first to get Coraline and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs on Blu-ray 3D. Buy any VT25 model HDTV (sorry VT20 suckers), send in the UPC and coupon and 8-14 weeks later (we know, lame, right?) you should be getting two discs in the mail. While two toss-in flicks might not be a good reason to spend $2 - $3 thousand dollars at a time, we can always look back to the dark ages of 2009, when you could spend in the same range and get absolutely nothing as a throw in. No word from Twentieth Century Fox or Universal Studios when they'll be unleashing either flick at retail either, so this could be the best way to get your hands on them for a while -- check out the full details in the press release after the break or on Panasonic's registration website.
Samsung's BD-C6900 3D Blu-ray player reviewed: speedy, but noisy
Most buyers of Samsung's first 3D Blu-ray player will probably be picking it up as a pack-in with their new television, but what exactly will they be getting? According to BigPictureBigSound, the claims of "Ultra Fast Play" are right on target for the BD-C6900, with a PS3-beating bootup time of only 41 seconds on Saw IV, and 23 seconds on Underworld: Evolution, same as the LG BD570. Unfortunately that slick see-through top may contribute to a higher than average noise level, so beware the tradeoffs for a 3D Blu-ray experience. As far as that goes, the reviewer was impressed by the 3D menus and the quality of the packed-in Monsters vs. Aliens disc, though there were a few issues that popped up on test discs for regular 2D content. As usual, adopting the first generation of a new standard isn't without its drawbacks, but with limited content currently available and additional competition on the way in the form of both firmware updated existing players and new hardware you should probably hit the read link and give it a careful once-over before jumping in.
Denon's 2010 receivers, Blu-ray players are Control4, streaming & 3D ready
Right on time, Denon's dropped the details on its hardware for 2010 on us. Taking top honors are two Blu-ray players: the DBP-2011UDCI ($799, August, not pictured) and the DBP-1611UD ($399, June, pictured above) that are touted as "true universal players"; with DVD-Audio and SACD playback out of the box and Blu-ray 3D on the way in a fall firmware update the company's confident they'll play most any 5-inch optical media you may be able to get your hands on. If you're past discs don't worry, Netflix, DLNA and YouTube streaming is also part of the deal. Those should pair well with any of the slew of receivers due up including the AVR-991 (SRP: $999, July), AVR-891 (SRP: $799, May), AVR-791 (SRP: $499, May), AVR-591 (SRP: $349, May) and the AVR-391 (SRP: $249, July); or the custom install-focused AVR-4311CI (SRP: $1,999, Sept.), AVR-3311CI (SRP: $1,199, June), and AVR-2311CI (SRP: $899, June). All of the above bring HDMI 1.4a repeaters for 3D compatibility, onscreen displays through HDMI, and some include web browsers plus music streaming from Pandora or connected PCs. Check the press releases after the break for all the details including a few new headphone models, though we recommend taking it in just a bit at a time -- the threat of overdosing on this much info is high. %Gallery-91863%
Sony UK's 3DTV launch includes a few free games to get early adopters started
As the GMT turns, Sony's divisions are revealing their 3D plans for the rest of the year and the latest is its UK branch. The HX803 3D-ready model is first out the door in June, with LX903 and HX903 models arriving shortly afterward packing specs identical to their US cousins, with the addition of Freeview HD tuners and PAL-friendly refresh rates. Since the HX803 doesn't come with any of those 100-hour battery rated glasses , viewers getting ready for the 2010 World Cup will likely opt for one of the 3D accessory packs with two pairs included plus the necessary IR emitter. No word on prices for any of these yet, but PS3 owners who buy a new TV within the launch "limited period" can expect to vouchers with download codes for 3D-upgraded versions of four PSN games: PAIN (3 episodes), WipEout HD (full game), Motorstorm Pacific Rift (single level demo) and Super Stardust HD (full game). Movie heads get Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Deep Sea Blu-ray 3D discs bundled with unspecified "selected products," with the former going on sale by itself June 14. Check out all the details in the press release below or just refresh the Sony UK store until that preorder button shows up and we find out just how many pounds are needed to bring one home.
Sony Pictures is releasing Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on Blu-ray 3D June 1 -- in Germany
Just in case you've already snatched up a 3DTV and Blu-ray 3D compatible player, you've probably seen the demo disc Panasonic includes or Samsung's Monsters vs. Aliens pack-in enough times to junk those $150 3D glasses permanently, but help is on the way. The first commercially available 3D Blu-ray disc has finally been announced -- but only in Germany so far. If you sprechen sie deutsch, Amazon DE is more than willing to take your preorder cash for this movie which will ship June 1, the same day a 2D version is released, but with a €28.99 ($39.61) price tag you'll be paying an extra 9 euros for the privilege and sacrificing a couple of extras. In the U.S., we'll probably have to wait until Sony firms up the release schedule for its PS3 3D update before finding out exactly when this disc hits the shelves locally. [Thanks JoeCise]
Avatar disc opens up online-only extras until ultimate edition arrives in November, 3D next year
Fox continues to pull back the layers of its release schedule for Avatar after yesterday's press event with director James Cameron, producer James Landau and Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers (above) as Reuters indicates the Blu-ray 3D version will arrive next year. What does 2010 hold for the most dedicated fans of Pandora? While the DVD and Blu-ray editions due April 22 will arrive stripped clean of any extras whatsoever, a registration code slipped in the case will give owners access to "The AVATAR Program" to view bonus content online, adopt a "virtual hometree" among the million being planted and other enticements to string them along connect this release with an ultimate edition due in November. Check the press release after the break for all the details and see if you can resist the urge to triple dip.
Samsung 3D Starter Kit gets 3DTV and Blu-ray buyers started
Planning on buying one of those fresh Samsung 3D HDTVs and Blu-ray players now that they are available? Well, the good news from Samsung's press conference is that you'll get a free 3D Starter Kit if you decide to fork over the cash for them both. Included are two pairs of active shutter glasses (available separately for $150) and the 3D Blu-ray version of Monsters vs. Aliens, which is exclusive to Samsung for the time being. And speaking of new 3D titles, DreamWorks' own Jeffrey Katzenberg took stage to announce that Shrek will be coming soon. We're not sure how we feel about these super expensive sets, but the hands-on pictures of the kit do seem to make spending plus $2,000 for that new Sammy 3DTV and Blu-ray player a bit more enticing. %Gallery-87781%
Samsung's U.K. show reveals Monsters vs. Aliens 3D Blu-ray due in March plus LoveFilm, iPlayer TV apps
When Avatar will make its Blu-ray 3D debut is still officially up in the air, but thanks to Samsung's European line show, TechRadar says we can expect Monsters vs. Aliens in March (at least in the U.K.) It will initially be available only to purchasers of new Samsung 3D HDTVs (called the U7000, U8000 or U9000 series of LCDs and PDP7000 plasmas over there) or Blu-ray players, an interesting choice that has us wondering when wider 3D releases will hit, or if we'll need to wait for the summer's PS3 firmware update before that happens. Still, that wasn't all Samsung had to say, also mentioning plans to add movie rentals from LoveFilm and access to BBC's iPlayer to its Apps service for U.K. buyers in April. [Thanks, @JoeCise]
James Cameron sees Avatar on Blu-ray 3D in November, HDTV manufacturers mark their calendars
Fox has been slow to show its hand concerning the Avatar home video release schedule, but that didn't stop director James Cameron from spilling assorted dates and SKUs in a Wall Street Journal interview. He's pegged a standard DVD & Blu-ray release for April 22, with a special edition DVD and Blu-ray 3D version arriving in November. Considering how much electronics companies have invested in bringing 3D to market this year and specifically Panasonic's push to make Avatar a box office smash the timing seems right on target. Whether you love the Na'vi just a little or far, far too much, budgeting for a 3D related Black Friday upgrade to go along with blue body paint for Halloween is seeming like a more sensible option every day. Update: Fox has responded, simply stating that 3D is in the conceptual stage, and that Avatar will not be out on Blu-ray 3D in November. Should we believe them or the guy with an executive producer credit on Point Break... is that even a question?
