Vizio Working On Passive 3D HDTV
Just as 3D HDTVs are becoming more popular, 3D glasses are also being sold everywhere. These glasses are battery-operated and cost as much as $200 per pair – an expensive purchase which Vizio is planning on eliminating with its production of a passive 3D HDTV.
Indeed, Vizio is planning on making a 65-inch passive 3D HDTV, which is the first in the United States. Earlier, JVC released a 46-inch passive 3D monitor – not an HDTV – while LG passive 3D HDTVs are currently only available in Korea.
What exactly is a passive 3D HDTV? With a passive 3D HDTV, the images for the left and right eye are projected at the same time into a single space on the display and it is up to the glasses to separate the intended images for each. On the other hand, with an active shutter 3D HDTV, the images are alternately (not simultaneously) displayed, though very quickly for a continuous motion, and the glasses have lenses that automatically open and shut or go from opaque to transparent in perfect synchronization with the display.
Because passive 3D technology mainly lies with the display, the glasses do not have to be expensive – they are the common red and blue cardboard glasses handed out in movie theaters that you can make yourself.
Passive 3D HDTVs cannot offer the full resolution, though – only 1920×540 per eye – which is why companies are focusing more on making active 3D displays, but nevertheless can provide a satisfactory viewing experience for less.
Vizio is also set to deliver a full suite of active 3D HDTVs this year – its XVT Pro models which come in 47, 55, 58 and 72-inch screen sizes, with full LED backlight, full 3DHD technology, WiFi capability and wireless HDMI which were announced at CES in January.
Sony Bravia 3D HDTVs Now On Sale
Just as promised in January, the Sony Bravia 3D HDTVs, namely the LX900, HX909 and HX900 series, are now available for pre-order online and in selected stores. All models come with LED backlighting, full 1080p HD resolution, 240Hz PRO Motionflow technology and Sony’s new trademark monolithic design.
The LX900 models come with a built-in 3D transmitter, making them Sony’s first full 3D HDTVs, and are available in 60 and 52-inch screen sizes at $4999.99 and $3999.99 respectively. Aside from the edge-lit LED backlighting, both also offer a built-in Wi-fi capability for easier access to Bravia Internet Video content like Netflix and Bravia Internet Widgets.
The HX909 models, which offer a Dynamic full LED backlight, come in 52 and 46-inch screen sizes at $3999.99 and $3499.99 respectively while the edge-lit HX800 models come in three screen sizes – 55 inches at $3399.99, 46 inches at $2699.99 and 40 inches at $2099.99. Both series are 3D-Ready, compatible with the 3D sync transmitter sold separately at $50.
The LX900 models also come with two pairs of active shutter glasses. For the others, 3D glasses are available for $150 a pair.
To complete the package, Sony tosses in “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” on 3D Blu-ray, as well as vouchers for 3D PlayStation 3 game titles such as WipeOut HD, Mr. Pain and SuperStarDust HD. Its rivals, Panasonic and Samsung, are offering ‘Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs’ and ‘Monsters Vs. Aliens’ respectively, for 3D content.
Sony is currently in the process of developing more 3D games for the PS3 while other 3D products from the company include 3D-capable Blu-ray players, ranging from $199.99 to $649.99, 3D audio recievers and 3D home theater systems.
Panasonic Announces Release of Industry’s Largest 3D HDTV Screens
Today’s HDTVs currently range from 40 inches to 65 inches in terms of diagonal screen size but Panasonic is thinking much bigger with its announcement of a full suite of large format full HD 3D Plasma displays to be available by January 2011.
Its largest HDTV will measure 152 inches – the Panasonic TH-152UX1 – with a resolution of 4096 x 2160 and a 17:9 display. Its price is estimated to be around $500,000 – too heavy for consumers, which are not its target anyway, but should be affordable for the government, advertising and healthcare industries and order commercial establishments. It can also be used in corporate environments and screening rooms.
The other models, the 103-inch TH-103VX200U and the 85-inch TH-85VX200U will retail for $65,000 and $45,000 respectively. The TH-152UX1 has a full 3D engine while the other two are 3D-capable.
Panasonic’s 3D HDTVs for consumers, spearheaded by the TC-P50VT20, which were released in March, are also doing well. In fact, Panasonic made a move to boost production in order to meet consumer demands both in the US and in Europe last May.
