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We continue today with what other manufacturers will be offering to consumers to replace their HD sets with 3D sets.
SONY pairs with IMAX, Discovery and ESPN
According to Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, Sony will not just rely on technology and hardware, but will use its unique approach of leveraging software to expand 3D entertainment.
Scheduled to be released in the summer of 2010 is 3D compatible “BRAVIA” LCD TVs, 3D compatible Blu-ray disc players, and 3D compatible Blu-ray disc players with built in theatre systems. Furthermore, other 3D compatible products such as “VAIO” and digital still camera product will also be introduced in 2010 and will facilitate the 3D experience at home.
By using high-frame rate LCDs with a “frame sequential display”, Sony makes it possible to watch Full HD 3D quality video on 3D compatible “BRAVIA” LCD TVs. This technology involves alternately transmitting images for the left eye and right eye to the screen. When viewed through the “active shutter glasses”, the two separate images on the shutter glasses are synchronized with the onscreen image with their Full HD quality intact, and precisely transmitted to the viewer’s eyes.
The high-quality super-fine Full 3D HD images deliver unprecedented reality and presence.
The 3D BRAVIA sets will deliver 240Hz technology for smooth motion viewing, Wi-Fi wireless capabilities (802.11) and the new BRAVIA Internet Video and widgets.
The excitement of sports is also suited to the dynamic realism of 3D, and this is another area in which Sony is concentrating its 3D efforts. Through an alliance with ESPN, the largest sports broadcaster in the U.S., Sony will cooperate in the 3D filming of sports events including “X Games” and “College Football” to deliver the full impact and excitement of 3D sports broadcasts. Sony previously announced 3D agreements with FIFA and the PGA Tour. The first live 3D event will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup match between South Africa and Mexico on June 11, 2010. In all ESPN will broadcast 25 World Cup Matches
Discovery Communications, and IMAX Corporation have announced also a joint venture with Sony Corporation to develop the world's first dedicated 3D television network to deliver 3D content to homes. The partnership of the three industry leaders-with their extraordinary collection of award-winning 3D content, technology expertise, television distribution and operational strength-will deliver a high-quality three-dimensional viewing experience to home television audiences, starting in the United States in 2010 no date yet set for Canada.
Expressive scope of 3D will also greatly expand the outlook for games. Plans are in place for all PlayStation®3 units to play 3D stereoscopic games through firmware updates, so that all PlayStation®3 users will be able to enjoy the next level of game experiences. 2010 looks to be the start of a new era for games as well. One more note. Sony announced that they will have 46,000,000 3D TVs out by 2013…
Mitsubishi 3D TV
Mitsubishi began distribution of 3D-ready TVs in 2007 and has sold more than half a million units to date.
Mitsubishi showcased the flexibility and versatility of its 3D TV products by displaying 3D content delivered by various video sources, including Blu-Ray players at CES 2010. Mitsubishi also announced a new 3D adapter which will provide Mitsubishi Legacy 3D-ready DLP rear-projection Home Theatre TV owners with an easy and affordable solution to display 3D from a 3D Blu-Ray player. The Mitsubishi 3DC-1000 3D adapter will be available in late spring of 2010. “As a pioneer in the 3D television market, Mitsubishi is bridging the gap for consumers to experience this break-through technology,” said Frank DeMartin, vice president of marketing, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America.
“3D is definitely a large screen experience, and Mitsubishi offers the most models and largest screen sizes of 3D-ready TVs available today, including one of the world’s largest, mass-produced 3D-ready TV’s at 82 inches”, he added.
LG 3D line
LG is pushing its self through the onslaught of Japanese tech heavyweights, like Sony and Panasonic, and making its way to the 3D TV forefront. The company presented a 72-inch LCD 3D TV at CES. LG currently has only one line of 3D TVs announced for 2010 and that is the LE9500 which is their flagship LED/LCD series and will be available in 55" and 47" models. The LG LE9500 3D LED Full HDTV will use the 3D active shutter glasses system that is being used by the other 3D TV manufacturers. It is interesting that LG didn't place more focus on sharing detail for the 3D aspect of this TV as they have announced earlier that they hope to sell 400,000 3D TVs in 2010 and 3,000,000 in 2011 becoming a world leader in 3D.
The LE9500 has a LCD display with LED backlighting which has different addressable segments that light levels can be controlled in, for instance the 55" TV has 240 addressable segments. This ability to control the LED backlighting for different zones is being used by a number of manufacturers and helps produce brighter whites and deeper blacks. In addition this TV has 480Hz refresh rate as opposed to 240Hz for many Full HDTVs, which is supposed to produce images moving at high speed smoother. It is questionable how much the 480Hz will alter the display capabilities but it isn't likely to be much and you will not perceive it as twice as good because the Hz doubled. One of the unique features of this TV is how slim the bezel is at only 8.5mm so when you look at the TV you will see almost all picture and no frame, it is easily the smallest bezel on the 3D TV market. In addition the cabinet is very small for a backlit LED model at .92". The display has also achieved THX certification which means that it has correct gamma, luminance, and color temperature. This is the only LCD THX certified panel in North America. The LE9500 should also have an intelligent sensor that can automatically correct the 3D TVs contrast and brightness settings based on the ambient light in the room, this feature is offered by another manufacturers including Sony.
The LE9500 has an Ethernet jack and is Wi-Fi capable so you will be able to connect to the internet giving you access to a wide range of internet video content such as from YouTube and Netflix, in addition to services like Skype calling. In addition LG has TV Apps that work like the ones you are likely familiar with for your computer allowing you to see weather forecasts, breaking news and more. One of the unique features of this TV is that it also has wireless HDMI which allows the TV to receive HD video and audio from sources without the HDMI cable. The LE9500 has a unique remote (called Magic Wand), that can be used like a Wii remote to switch through TV menus and play games.
Next issue we will feature some other interesting innovations such as Washable keyboards, controllers…and cell phones
