Panasonic Launches All-in-One 3D HDTV
Lately, Panasonic has been leading the market in the sales of 3D HDTV sets, and it has released several 3D Blu-ray players and HDD recorders, too. That, however, is not enough, for this premier HDTV manufacturer. Rather, Panasonic is also planning on manufacturing a product that combines all these three, called the Panasonic Viera RT2B 3D.
The Panasonic Viera RT2B 3D comes in two screen sizes - 42 inches and 46 inches - both of which come equipped with a 3D Blu-ray player, an HDD recorder with a 500GB hard disk - a combination which makes it easy to play 3D videos and even record them - as well as a built-in rechargeable Lithium ion battery that can be used for about 30 hours per charge.
Both also offer a full 1080p resolution and a contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1. They come with a pair of special active shutter glasses, too, that is available in three sizes - small, medium and large.
These HDTVs will be available in Japan starting August 27, though it is expected that they will not come cheap. In fact, the 46-inch model may be priced for more than $5000 when it becomes available in the US, which is yet to be announced.
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.
Sharp Jumps Into 3D HDTV Market
Japanese electronics corporation, Sharp, has recently announced that it is preparing to launch its own 3D LCD HDTV sets, joining a market where Panasonic, Samsung and Sony currently prevail.
Indeed, Panasonic was the first to release 3D HDTVs followed by Samsung while Sony promises to deliver its first 3D Bravia, the HX803, in time for the World Cup.
Sharp will be introducing its 3D HDTVs in Japan this summer, followed by a December release in the United States, Europe and China.
The models, sizes and prices of the Aquos 3D sets are yet to be announced. What Sharp did disclose, though, was that its 3D HDTVs would have an Advanced Display, that is to say its display will use not just the three standard primary colors or RGB technology, but four - red, green, blue and yellow, for sharper and more vivid images - a first in the industry.
Sharp also said its 3D HDTVs will have a higher response speed so as to eliminate the problem of ‘crosstalk’ or ghost images.
Although new to the 3D HDTV market, Sharp is by no means new to 3D technology. In fact, it released the first 3D notebook back in 2003 and has also just released the world’s first 3D HD camera for mobile devices.
Sharp also unveiled a three-inch touchscreen 3D display last month and is working on 3D displays for mobile devices that do not need 3D glasses, which are perfect for the next generations of smartphones and possibly for the Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming console.
Sony 3D HDTV Coming In June
Sony has announced that its 3D HDTV, the Sony HX803, will be launched in June, just before the start of the 2010 World Cup.
The HX803 is going to be the first Sony Bravia HDTV with 3D capability available, alongside the LX903 which will also be released around the same time. It is available in two screen sizes - 40 and 46 inches, both with full 1080p resolution for high quality resolution and a 200Hz refresh rate. They will also be capable of up-conversion, converting 2D images into amazing 3D, taking the viewing experience up a level.
The best part about the Sony HX803, though is that it is bundled up with a lot of 3D content. It comes with two 3D Blu-ray discs - “Deep Sea” and “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” as well as four 3D PlayStation3 games - Wipeout HD, Motorstorm Pacific Rift, PAIN and Super Stardust HD.
Unfortunately, the sets will not come with the active shutter 3D glasses required. These are to be purchased separately, though Sony guarantees they will be worth the extra cost, having a battery life of up to 100 hours and offering maximum comfort. There are even small ones available for children in pink and blue.
Sony is also planning to release the HX903 this year which is a step-up version of the HX803, featuring deeper black levels and larger screen sizes.
Samsung 3D HDTVs Now Available For Pre-Order
The Samsung UN46C8000 and UN55C8000 are now available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
Both sets, which come in 46-inch and 55-inch screens, have a sleek design - a silver bezel edged in a transparent border and a new metal four-legged stand. They also offer 1080p resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, Samsung Internet@TV interactive services, integrated Skype calling as promised, network streaming, four HDMI inputs and two USB ports.
The most important thing about the Samsung C8000 models, though, is that they are 3D-Ready, which means it incorporates Active Shutter 3D technology and even upconverts 2D content into amazing 3D.
The UN46C8000 currently costs $2,799 while the UN55C8000 costs $3,499.
Both HDTVs are currently featured in Amazon’s special limited offer. If you buy either model together with the Samsung BD-C6900 1080p 3D Blu-ray Disc Player, you will get a free 3D Starter Kit, which is normally priced at $349.99.
The kit includes two pairs of Samsung’s 3D Active Shutter Glasses as well as a 3D Blu-ray disc of the Dreamworks animated film, Monsters vs. Aliens.
The Samsung BD-C6900 Blu-ray Disc Player is the perfect companion to your 3D HDTV, offering full 3D support as well as BD-Live support, Internet@TV capability, DLNA connectivity and both an HDMI and USB input.
Consumers can pre-order their 8000 LED models now or wait for the 9000 LED series, which can display true 3D content, as opposed to being 3D-Ready and comes with Samsung’s new cool remote control, although the release date for this is not yet certain.
LG 3D HDTVs Out in May
Just three days after Samsung announced that it would begin shipping its 3D LED-based HDTVs, LG Electronics gave the release date for its LX9900 3D HDTV, promising that it will hit the shelves of electronic shops in the UK some time in May, just in time for the World Cup.
The LX9900 will be available in two screen sizes - 47-inch and 55-inch, both of which will have the seamless, single layer, ultra-slim Infinia design, measuring only 3.16 centimeters thick at most. The 47-inch model will have 864 LED lights while the 55-inch will have 960.
Aside from built-in active 3D technology, both sets also come with a 400Hz refresh rate, a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for deep blacks, four HDMI connections, Bluetooth connectivity and a bunch of Netcast interactive features.
They are said to be compatible with Sky3D, the first 3D TV channel in Europe which launches in May.
In line with the release of the LX9900, LG is also releasing its 3D Blu-ray player, the BX580, which offers not just full 3D playback, but also Wi-Fi and DLNA capability, Netcast and USB and HDMI ports, making it the perfect piece to complete a 3D home theater system, which most consumers are sure to have in the near future.
The LX9900 is LG’s first active 3D HDTV, with the earlier announced LG LD920, using passive 3D shutter technology.
Samsung 3D LED HDTVs Ready To Launch
Samsung, one of the leading HDTV manufacturers today, has announced that it will begin shipping its 3D LED HDTVs - the first the world will set eyes on.
Samsung is set to ship its 7000, 8000 and 9000 LED series starting this month, along with its 750 LCD series and its 7000 and 8000 Plasma series, all of which are equipped with 3D processors.
The 7000, 8000 and 9000 LED models sport ultra-slim bezels while offering amazing picture quality with a full color spectrum, Wi-Fi capability and a ton of interactive applications. The 9000 models also come with what has been described as the coolest clicker ever - a color touchscreen remote with a QWERTY keyboard.
The 7000 and 8000 Plasma models are equally stylish, with the 8000 sets sporting a titanium bezel, which, like the 750 LCD models, offer more online applications than before.
All models come with a free 3D Starter Kit, which consists of two pairs of Samsung’s active-shutter 3D glasses and a 3D version of the film ‘Monsters vs. Aliens”.
Samsung will also be releasing its 3D Blu-ray players, including the award-winning BD-C6900 which won the Best of Innovations Award at the 2010 CES and comes with built-in Wi-Fi capability. It is priced at $399.99. The BD-C8000, its 10-inch portable Blu-ray player will be available in June for $499.99.
Samsung Unveils 3D HDTVs at CES 2010
If the 2010 CES is any indication, this year is looking bright for Samsung, with its 3D HDTV sets - LED, LCD and Plasma models - 3D Blu-ray players and a 3D home entertainment partnership with Dreamworks.
The 9000 series is Samsung’s flaghsip LED-lit HDTV series for 2010, which is pencil-thin - just .3 inches thick at most - and comes with a built-in 3D processor. This allows it to display videos from various 3D sources, and also allows it to convert 2D content into 3D real-time. The 9000 series also comes with a touchscreen menu - the industry’s first - with a QWERTY keyboard, as well as built-in WiFi and infrared connectivity and enhanced DLNA compatibility.
For its LCD sets, Samsung offers the 650 and 750 series, the latter of which also comes with a 3D processor, along with a 240Hz refresh rate, Internet@TV and a HyperReal Engine that provides more accurate and saturated colors.
The company’s 7000 and 8000 Plasma series are also equipped with 3D technology, with a Real Black Filter that reduces glare even further and Samsung’s CinemaSmooth technology.
The perfect accessory for these HDTV sets is the BD-C6900 3D Blu-ray Player, the winner of the 2010 CES Best of Innovations Award, with a slim, semi-transparent design and excellent speed and performance. The BD-C7500 is just as good, though, and is Samsung’s slimmest Blu-ray player to date, especially designed for wall-mounting.
Aside from these 3D entertainment devices, Samsung also introduced its e-books, the E6 and E101, which are set to hit the shelves soon and give the Nook and the Kindle some serious competition.
The 2010 CES will end on January 10.
