Consumers Very Impressed by Newest 3D TV Technology

New 3D TV technology is so impressive, if you are in the market for HDTV, you might want to wait to examine more models, shell out the extra few hundred dollars for 3D TV instead and move to the head of your gadget-packing peer class.

That’s the news from initial findings in preliminary tests of three of the newest 3D models, two 46-inch LCD models from Samsung and a 50-inch plasma set from Panasonic, conducted by Consumer Reports (CR), the respected, independent tester and rater of consumer goods and services.

Preliminary tests “have been impressive,” the non-profit Consumer Union operation reported.

“The high-definition, 1080p images on these TVs have excellent three-dimensional depth, color, and detail — especially with animated content — creating a compelling and realistic three-dimensional experience. You’ll be ducking when that Frisbee comes flying toward you!” CR reported.

While largely positive, preliminary tests revealed only minor “performance differences between the models, which in the 3D mode are mirroring some of the differences we see when we test LCD and plasma TVs with regular high-definition programs.”

CR said as of mid-March, there were three 3D TVs in stores: two LCD sets from Samsung, the 46-inch UN46C7000 — $2,600 at Sears; and the 55-inch UN55C7000 — $2,970 at Best Buy and $3,300 at Sears.

CR said the 50-inch Panasonic TC-P50VT20 plasma it tested was available in select Best Buy Magnolia stores for $2,500.

Models from LG, Sony, Toshiba, and Vizio are coming down the assembly line and expected to arrive in a few months.

“The big one (question), of course, is whether these new TVs can recreate the 3D excitement we’ve been getting in movie theaters in our own homes. Based on our exclusive tests of the first models available, the answer is a resounding “yes,” the publication reports.

With real 3D TV programming still on the horizon, 3D TV buyers will have to also shell out up to $400 for a 3-D Blu-ray player to watch 3D DVDs. While most 3D TV models are packed with a pair of two of the cool-looking 3D shutter glasses, you’ll have to shell out another $150 a pair for full family fun, according to Jim Wilcox, senior electronics editor at Consumer Reports.

Get the full scoop from CR in “7 things you need to know about 3D TV” as well as from additional CR 3D TV research, test results and content.

Masters Tournament Available In 3D – Golf In 3D

Comcast Corp. and Augusta National Golf Club said Monday they are teaming up to make next month’s Masters Tournament available in 3D on the 3D-enabled television sets and computer monitors that are just being rolled out.

Philadelphia-based Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA,CMCSK) will use its fiber-optic network to carry a 3D production feed to the Comcast Media Center in Denver, which will package the feed for distribution to Comcast’s cable-TV systems and the Masters Web site.

Comcast will have a dedicated 3D channel that will carry about two hours of live programming per day from the Masters in Augusta, Ga., from April 7-11. The same programming will also be available on the tournament’s Web site, www.masters.com, and in the clubhouse and hospitality suites at Augusta National. The golf club may make the feed available to other cable companies as well, said Jorge Alberni, a Comcast spokesman.

Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE), which has 3D TVs for sale, and IBM Corp. (NYSE:IBM) are working with Comcast and Augusta National Golf Club on the 3D broadcast.

Panasonic Corp. (NYSE:PC) and Samsung Electronics Co. also have 3D sets for sale. A Samsung 55-inch 3D set was on sale for slightly less than $3,000 on Best Buy Co.’s Web site Monday.

3D glasses are needed to watch 3D programs on TVs or personal computers. Watching them on PCs also requires 3D media player software.

Sky Goes to LG in Preparation for 3D Rollout

Sky has reportedly purchased 15,000 3D-ready TV sets from Korean manufacturer LG in preparation for the rollout of its 3D service to pubs around the UK.

The satellite broadcaster’s new 3D channel will launch to selected pubs next month, before expanding to Sky’s top tier TV customers later in the year.

Under the partnership deal, LG will supply a batch of its new 3D TVs to be installed by Sky engineers at public venues around Britain before weekly 3D Premier League matches commence in the spring.

The rollout follows the firm’s first public broadcast of 3D football to nine selected pubs for Arsenal’s game against Manchester United at the end of January.

Sky is also currently demonstrating its 3D service at the Westfield shopping centre in London, including tennis, golf, boxing, ballet, movies and live music content.

Warning About 3D TV by Samsung

Samsung Warning note with new 3D TV’s:

• Note that watching TV while sitting too close to the screen for hours may weaken your eyesight.
• Note that watching TV while wearing 3D active glasses for many hours may cause headache or fatigue.
• If you feel headache, fatigue or dizziness, stop watching TV and rest.
• Some 3D pictures may startle or excite viewers.  The pregnant, elderly, and eplleptic and those suffering from a weak heart or serious car sickness are advised to avoid watching 3D pictures.
• We don’t recommend 3D pictures to those who are in bad physical condition, who are in want of sleep or who drank liquor.
• When watching 3D pictures, ensure you do not place any object that is harmful or can easily be broken near you.  Being startled or deluding yourself into thinking that the 3D images are real may cause you to crush a nearby object or get injured trying to move your body.

Well, if that’s not encouraging I don’t know what is.  If your technology is not suitable for the pregnant, elderly, or eplleptic, count me in.  Pehaps the “crushing a nearby object” is a little far fetched, but hell if it can get me that excited, I’ll take the precaution.  Thanks Samsung, hopefully your new 3D TV’s will be so good that this warning note will actually have value.

3D Laptops Coming to a Computer Retailer Near You

3D laptops are coming to a computer retailer near you.  According to Campbell Kan, VP of mobile computing at Acer, we can expect a 15.6-inch Aspire 3D laptop by the end of October. The laptop will run Windows 7 and support native 3D content (something that’s becoming steadily more available) while running software that converts 2D content into 3D with presumably mediocre effect.

Unfortunately, viewers must wear those bulky, stereoscopic glasses for the full experience. But if anyone stares, just frantically scribble something into a Moleskin with a deep furrowed brow — they’ll assume you’re an artist. A glasses-free version is in the works too though that’s TBD if you want to wait.

Sony Launches 3D TV in India

Sony India has introduced 3D TV in India. This is based on new LED technology, the new range of TVs is also compatible with Internet and the company has exclusive tie-ups with some of the content providers like Youtube to provide videos and clips.

The 3D TVs are supposed to hit the market by June 10 where Japan will be the first to lay hands on it. The first 3-D TV model that comes from Sony’s brainhouse will sport a huge 46-inch screen and will be tagged at $3,875.

The pricing for India is not announced yet.

Samsung Push to Become the Preferred 3D Brand

The Korean company Samsung kicks off the industry wide push and battle for brand supremacy – by launching a 3D range that will be in British shops by the end of the month. Billed as the world’s first high definition, three-dimensional LED televisions, Samsung’s range will be serenaded by the Black Eyed Peas at a glitzy global marketing debut in New York tomorrow.

At a press conference today, Samsung said its televisions and Blu-ray devices will come with a starter pack of two pairs of 3D glasses and a Blu-ray version of Monsters vs Aliens under a tie-up with the movie studio DreamWorks Animation. “It’s quite simply the entertainment revolution of our time,” said DreamWorks’ chief executive, Jeffrey Katzenberg. “It’s as important as the introduction of sound or colour.”

Keen to get in on the act, the Japanese company Panasonic will sell its first 3D television at a BestBuy electronics shop in Manhattan this week. And Sony, which expects to begin selling its sets in June, has set an ambitious target of selling 2.5m 3D televisions by March 2011 – amounting to roughly one tenth of all its global television sales. In British shops, John Lewis’s vision buyer, David Kempner, said he expected demand to be a “slowburn”, with an opening price point of £2,000. “HD is still a relatively new concept and consumers are just getting used to it but 3D will be the next big thing. Given it has the support of all the major manufacturers, 3D technology has got momentum of its own but it also requires content providers to support it and there is a time lag there.”

Experts say that 3D televisions are likely to enjoy mainstream uptake because the technology behind them barely costs any more than existing sets. To achieve three dimensions, manufacturers need more powerful processors but the fundamental make-up of the television changes only marginally. The only substantial extra cost is making 3D glasses. “The add-on cost of manufacturing isn’t significant,” said Jim Bottoms, director of the technology consulting company Futuresource. “Set makers are starting to incorporate 3D in higher-end televisions this year. Very quickly, certainly by 2015, virtually every full-sized television will have 3D capability.”

Although pricing for British shops is yet to be finalised, Sony’s 3D televisions range in Japan from around £2,150 for a 40in set to double that amount for a 60in model, while Samsung is charging $2,000 (£1,350) to $4,000 in American stores. Sport and films will be the early applications for 3D home entertainment. Under a deal with Sony, Sky has already begun showing certain Premier League matches in pubs on 3D televisions and this summer’s World Cup could be a watershed for the technology: Sony will film 25 matches in South Africa using 3D cameras.

The opening ceremony of Vancouver’s Winter Olympics was available in 3D. More than 20 movies in 3D are scheduled for release this year, including Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, which topped Britain’s cinema box office charts at the weekend. Mainstream television programming will take longer. The BBC and ITV have expressed interest in experimenting with 3D content.

But Bottoms said everyday shows were unlikely to go 3D until technology arrives to eliminate the need for special glasses, which is thought to be up to five years away. “We see the next three to five years as being ‘event-driven’ for 3D. When we get to a glass-less solution, then we’ll really see 3D become more pervasive,” he said.

It has taken decades even to get to this point. The first 3D film, The Power of Love, was made back in 1922 and dozens of movies came out in the 1950s including such gems as Creature from the Black Lagoon. But a key problem was “3D fatigue” whereby viewers’ eyes became tired from distinguishing the twin images needed to create depth perception.

Sony Will Push 3D TV This Summer

Sony showcased its latest television range in London today and said that it is not going to start major publicity on 3D until the UK market is ready.

Senior Category Marketing Manager Home Entertainment for Sony explained the company’s stance on 3D noting: “Our big push for 3D will be in June.

“We are doing it then because that is when the 3D content will be in the market, so we are not going to do a major push on something that isn’t currently here.”

3D content creation

Sony has two ranges of TVs which will be 3D Ready – the LX and HX series, both of which will be out in the UK in June. It is only the LX which is 3D enabled, however, with the HX able to process 3D content but only with the addition of a £50 transmitter add-on.

Sony isn’t fazed that some of its biggest rivals – including Samsung and Panasonic – are flooding the shops with 3D Ready TVs before the company, with Brown explaining that Sony is well prepared to offer the best 3D experience.

“Sony really wants to be the leader on 3D. The fact that we create the content and also bring it to the home is massive for us.

“Things like the Fifa World Cup will be filmed in 3D, with our technology, and we have the rights to this. In fact 3D crosses all of Sony’s product ranges, except for Sony Ericsson.”

As for who will be leading the 3D when it comes to content, Brown believes that it will be videogames. But this will only lead to wider appeal.

“We are very much pitching 3D at the mass market,” says Brown.

“Because of this, the focus [for Sony] is on the benefits 3D brings, instead of the technology.

DirectTV 3D Channels Scheduled

In June, DirecTV will become the first pay-TV provider to offer 3-D channels compatible with the new 3-D TVs just now arriving in stores across the country.

TechNewsDaily caught up with Steven Roberts, senior vice president at DirecTV to talk about 3-D TV in the home, including the equipment, the content and the technology choices consumers will face.
DirecTV will initially roll out three 3-D channels in June, with several more to be introduced in the months following. Roberts said the company has been planning for this moment for a long time.

The June offering will include a 24/7 pay-per-view channel, a free general entertainment channel, and a video-on-demand channel, similar to its 2-D on-demand channel.

DirecTV has partnered with Panasonic, which will be one of the first companies to sell 3-D capable TV sets. Panasonic will deliver its first 3-D TVs to retailers this Wednesday. Best Buy is ready with demonstration displays for Panasonic’s 3-D TVs and compatible Blu-ray players in 250 locations.

How will DirecTV and Panasonic work together?

DirecTV and Panasonic will team up on both the marketing of the new 3-D channels and on the production of content for the channels, Roberts said.

“As an industry, we realize we’re going to need to seed the marketplace with as much 3-D content as possible, so we’re working closely with Panasonic to produce 3-D content,” Roberts told TechNewsDaily. “They’ll be offering up 3-D equipment like cameras, as well as funds for producing the content itself.”

The 3-D channels produced by DirecTV and Panasonic will display the Panasonic logo, but will be viewable on any 3-D TV set, Roberts added.

“In fact, we have deals with Samsung, LG and Sony as well as Panasonic to put our software into their television sets, so it’s a seamless transition from 2D to 3-D,” Roberts said. “Once you get to our 3-D channel, the TV will automatically transition itself into the 3-D mode and then back to 2D if you go back onto a 2D channel.”

Without the built-in software, viewers would have to go through the time-consuming task of using their remote control to find the 3-D and 2-D settings on their television set and then make the appropriate adjustments.

When high definition content first became available, it required expensive equipment and an additional, substantial fee. Roberts said he hopes to make 3-D content more affordable from the very beginning.

“No, there will not be an extra hardware charge. Any type of bundling of content, we haven’t really figured out yet,” Roberts said. “We’re trying to make it as affordable as possible, so that as many people can enjoy the experience as possible.”

No Burger King glasses

It’s possible to view 3-D content on a standard television set, as demonstrated at last year’s Super Bowl, when thousands of people picked up paper glasses from Burger King to watch the 3-D ads. This is anaglyphic technology using glasses with red and blue glasses, while the new 3-D TVs will use more sophisticated technology for better displays.

The new 3-D technology can be passive or active. Roberts likes both. He explained that the passive technology uses the same glasses you would get in the movie theater, and that more of the technology for passive is built into the TV set. Active technology uses shuttered glasses, which have a battery in them. More of the technology is built into the active glasses rather than into the TV, which makes them more expensive, but also may be more comfortable for some viewers.

“As an experience, both are great. We support both of them on our set top boxes,” Roberts said. “Samsung, Sony and Panasonic are marketing the active glasses and LG is in the market with passive glasses, but may be coming out with active pairs as well.”

Roberts believes 3-D TVs will be bundled with a certain number of glasses. Samsung will offer a 3-D starter package with the purchase of a 3-D TV and 3-D Blu-ray player that includes two pairs of active glasses and the 3-D version of Monsters & Aliens.

3-D content production

DirecTV is working with Fox to produce a 3-D version of the Major League Baseball All-Star game in August, and will offer a wide range of sporting events throughout the second half of the year. Roberts was enthusiastic about his plans for 3-D concerts and documentaries. “The nature types of films are unbelievable in 3-D, so you’ll be seeing that type of content as well.”

DirecTV is also working with AEG/AEG Digital Media, CBS, Fox Sports/FSN, Golden Boy Promotions, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., to develop additional 3-D programming for this year and next, Roberts said.

While few 3-D movies are slated for home release in 2010, that number will increase in 2011 after sure-to-be 3-D blockbusters like “Toy Story 3″ in June and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” in November have finished their theater runs. However, it’s still unclear how long it will take for movies to come to DirecTV.

“We’ll follow the same window we have with traditional 2D movies,” he said. “It’s really up to the studios, but you can expect those 3-D theatrical releases to be on our pay-per-view, no doubt.”

Sony Announces New 3D Glasses

Sony 3D Glasses: Sony unveiled today when their 3DTVs will be released to the consumer market in June. The problem though is that they will only come with two glasses per TV. However, Sony has also announced that they will also be releasing individual 3D glasses, the TDG-BR100 and TDG-BR50.

The glasses come in three different colors and you have your choice between Blue, Pink, or Grey. The glasses use the active shutter technique and require an infrared emitter to use them. The bad news about them though is their price. Sony plans to sell both models for about $133 a pair. The IR emitter will only cost $55, but Sony’s 3DTV comes with one as part of the package. However, this means that if you buy one of the 3DTVs that don’t have glasses, and you are a family of four, then you can look to spend an extra $587 in order to see 3D at home.

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