LG Introduces First LED Backlit 3D TV
LG announced this Thursday that its upcoming LX9500 will be the worlds first HDTV set to combine a fully-LED-backlit LCD with 3D support.
Word regarding the LX9500 first surfaced last month, when a leaked document revealed LG’s roadmap for the coming year. LG opted not to comment on the legitimacy of last month’s leak, however the new 3D LED TV has now been confirmed.
The LX9500 will be available in two models, one coming in at 47 inches, and the other a larger model measuring 55 inches. Both of these thin 1080p LED sets come packed with a whole host of features, including USB 2.0, HDMI, integrated Skype software, and of course 3D support.
The sets, which do require you to wear USB-powered glasses, should arrive in Korea within the coming months, beating rival Samsung to market. It’ll launch in Europe and the US this May. No pricing details were provided for global markets, but when the LX9500 launches in Korea it is expected to cost around 4.7million South Korean Won, which is roughly $4,000.
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.
Sony Will Launch 3D TV in Japan in June 2010
Japan will be one of the first countries to have Sony’s 3D product lineup. Although several new 3D TV models will be launched there this summer, we are unsure how well sales will be. Considering the additional cost of 3D technology, are Japanese 3D fans going to rush out to buy one?
A 46-inch 3D screen will cost around 350,000 yen ($3,898; £2,608), 52% more expensive than a regular Sony flatscreen television.
Sony hopes to “liberate 3D from the confines of movie theatres,” says senior vice-president Yoshihisa Ishida.
The success of 3D films like Avatar, which won three Oscars on Sunday, has boosted hopes that 3D television could take off.
Widespread Launches Announced
Panasonic will begin selling 3D televisions in the US from Wednesday, in co-operation with electronics store Best Buy.
Samsung and LG are already selling 3D televisions and expect to launch their products in the UK and Europe over the next couple of months.
Included with the Sony television will be two pairs of special glasses and a camera sensor that will adjust sound and picture quality depending on where you sit.
The glasses cost around 12,000 yen each time you need an extra set.
They operate on an “active shutter principle” and present slightly different images to each eye, which Sony claims will provide realistic depth and crisp pictures.
ESPN, the sports network owned by Walt Disney, plans to launch a 3D sports channel this summer.
Early adopters might also be motivated by playing computer games – many of which are inherently three dimensional.
‘Barriers to growth’
But in a downturn will consumers pay for fancy features like 3D?
“I’m not very optimistic about 3D TV as it is today, I see more negatives than positives,” says Fernando Elizalde, from research firm Gartner.
“The biggest barriers to growth in 3D TV are the lack of content, the inconvenience of wearing glasses and that millions of consumers have only just upgraded to high-definition sets.”
“Sony has one advantage: it has arms that make TV sets, produce content and make filming equipment.”
Sony Betting Big on 3D TV
Sony has ambitious growth forecasts for 3D set sales.
It wants to sell 25 million liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions in the financial year April 2010 to March 2011, and hopes 10% of these will be 3D.
They will be hoping for a rush of orders before Japan’s analogue TV signal is turned off in July 2011.
Sony is betting big on 3D. Its president, Sir Howard Stringer, calls it “the next great consumer experience”.
The firm has implemented a programme of restructuring, cutting costs, reducing the number of manufacturing sites from 57 in December 2008 to 45 by May 2010.
Nevertheless in February, Sony said it expected to make a net loss of 70bn yen in the financial year ending March 2010. In the previous financial year it made a loss of of 98.9bn yen.
LG LD360 3D TV News
The launch of the 3D TV by LG model LD360 is scheduled to be launched in the United Kingdom and was suppose to be announced at the same time as Sky TV. However the launch was deferred a few weeks because of unforeseen delays. No exact dates have been given for the official launch since the delays occured.
This amazing new 3D television set is the only one that has passive technology intended for professionals (bars, restaurants, event-driven companies) It could be the only manufacturer on the market aside from Samsung during the first few weeks with the launching of his range (range 3DTV C7000) before the arrival of competitor Panasonic and in particular of model TC-P50VT20.
Stay tuned as we monitor the roll out of several models of 3D televisions by LG and other major television manufacturers.
3D TV Available for Purchase in the US by Panasonic Through Best Buy
Panasonic 3D TVs are coming to United States this week. The new Panasonic 3D televisions will be available at Best Buy as well as other top electronic retailers. Further announcements are expected very soon.
The maker of Viera flat-panel TVs said it expects a 50-inch model to retail for $2,500, and aims to sell 500,000 3D TVs in the United States in the first year of their launch, half its annual global sales target.
Under the joint promotion, Best Buy will set up special sections at its retail outlets, where prospective customers can try out Panasonic’s 3D TVs. This will be the first opportunity most consumers will get to see the new 3D televisions by Panasonic live, for the very first time.
Panasonic, the world’s No.4 flat TV maker behind Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, LG Electronics Inc and Sony Corp, holds high hopes for 3D TVs as it aims to turn its TV business profitable in the year starting April.
The sci-fi blockbuster “Avatar” and other recent titles have sparked massive interest in 3D movies, raising TV makers’ hopes for a strong debut of 3D models.
Shares in Panasonic closed up 2.8 percent at 1,307 yen on Monday, outperforming the Tokyo stock market’s electrical machinery index, which gained 2.1 percent. Keep your eye on this stock to see how the launch of 3D TV effects stock price.
BSkyB Confirms Compatibility with LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony ’3D Ready’ TVs
Sky’s 3D TV service to work across the UK’s first range of 3D TVs
BSkyB (Sky) today confirmed that its forthcoming Sky 3D TV service, which is to launch later this year, will be compatible with a wide range of 3D Ready TVs being launched in the UK and Ireland during 2010.
At this week’s CES, LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony will all announce an intention to introduce ‘3D Ready’ TVs this year, and Sky’s 3D service will be compatible with all of their respective 3D TV products.
Sky’s existing Sky+HD boxes, which are in 1.6 million UK and Irish homes, are already equipped to receive 3D TV, so customers will only need to upgrade their TV set. The new 3D ready TVs will enable Sky+HD customers to watch both high definition (HD) and 3D services from the same TV set.
After becoming the first UK broadcaster to demonstrate 3D through a domestic TV in December 2008, Sky has since reached a number of further 3D ‘firsts’, such as broadcasting a Keane gig in 3D live over its satellite platform and offering the UK’s first ever live public demonstration of 3D – a performance of Swan Lake by English National Ballet – at the Hay Festival.
Sky has since announced its intention to launch the UK’s first 3D service in 2010. The service will offer a broad selection of the best available 3D programming, expected to include movies, arts, entertainment and sport. The service will be broadcast across Sky’s existing HD infrastructure.
Brian Lenz, Sky’s Director of Product Design & TV Product Development, comments: “Our HD customers already have a 3D capable set-top box, so if they are interested in experiencing TV in a third dimension, the good news is that they’ll have a range of 3D Ready TVs to choose from. This is a great example of Sky and TV manufacturers taking the initiative to ensure there is no confusion over formats. By working together with set manufacturers, we want to provide a hassle free way for consumers to enjoy 3D TV.”
Stephen Gater, Head of Marketing Home Entertainment, LG Electronics UK, adds: “No one can escape the buzz and excitement around 3D. We’re witnessing the start of dramatic change in how we view TV – the dawn of a new dimension. This year will see LG’s first 3D Ready TVs hit the market – and through Sky’s clear commitment to 3D broadcasting, 3D in the home is set to become a reality. Here at LG we’re really looking forward to being a key player in driving the evolution of this technology and giving families a more dramatic, immersive home entertainment experience.”
Andrew Denham, Marketing Director, Panasonic, adds: “Panasonic is delighted to support the introduction of Sky’s 3D TV service in 2010 with a range of compatible FULL HD 3D VIERA Plasma Televisions incorporating high precision active shutter glasses for an unparalleled viewing experience. Plasma technologies have excellent video response which delivers an immersive, movie-theatre-like experience where viewers can feel as if they were part of the action.’’
Rob Shaw, General Manager CTV & HP, adds: “3D TV is a key focus for Samsung and we are committed to the continued delivery of this technology to homes in the UK. Samsung launched its first 3D Plasma TV in 2008 and has continued to innovate and develop this cutting edge technology. In 2010 we will offer 3D ready capability in all our TV screen technologies, including LED, LCD & PDP. Our televisions offer incredible picture quality and choice, and coupled with the forthcoming Sky 3D TV service, Samsung customers can look forward to a truly immersive viewing experience.”
Yoshihisa (Bob) Ishida, President of Home Entertainment Business Group, SVP, Sony Corporation, adds: “We are excited to have Sky’s 3D TV service available for users of 3D compatible BRAVIA LCD TVs in UK and in Ireland. To grow the 3D home entertainment market it’s imperative that the industry offers consumers as much attractive 3D content as possible.”
Sky to Make TV History with the Launch of 3D TV
Sky 3D channel to launch in April with live Premier League football every week, starting with Arsenal versus Manchester United
ISLEWORTH, ENGLAND, February 03, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ — Sky has announced that it will launch Sky 3D, Europe’s first dedicated 3D TV channel, this April. As part of the final preparations for this ground-breaking launch, Sky will preview the new service with a world first on Sunday 31 January 2010, becoming the first TV company anywhere to broadcast a live 3D TV sports event to a public audience. The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United will be filmed in 3D and broadcast over the Sky platform to selected pubs around the UK and Ireland, with their customers becoming the first audiences anywhere in the world to experience live Premier League in 3D.
To support this landmark broadcast, the nine pubs – located in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin – have been kitted out specially with some of the first ’3D Ready’ TV sets to reach the UK and Ireland. As 3D TVs become more widely available, Sky will roll out its 3D channel to hundreds of pubs from April, allowing football fans across the country the opportunity to experience a live Premier League match in 3D each week.
Once 3D TVs begin to reach the consumer market later this year, Sky will then make Sky 3D available to all Sky+HD customers, giving millions of people the opportunity to watch a wide range of content in 3D, including movies, sport, documentaries, entertainment, and the arts.
Sky 3D works with all existing Sky+HD boxes and will initially be introduced at no extra cost for customers who subscribe to Sky’s top TV package and the Sky HD pack. Sky 3D will also be compatible with all 3D Ready TVs coming to the UK and Ireland this year, including all models from Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic.
To make the 3D preview a reality, Sky Sports will produce two edits of its live coverage of Sunday’s game at the Emirates Stadium, one for its HD channel feed and another dedicated to 3D. Eight specially engineered 3D camera rigs will house sixteen of Sky’s high definition cameras, to provide comprehensive stereoscopic coverage from all angles. The 3D broadcast will be supported by Sky’s dedicated 3D production team and purpose built 3D outside broadcast truck, which will enable live mixing between camera positions, slow motion replays and the use of innovative 3D graphics. There will also be a dedicated commentary team to support the 3D edit.
Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s chief executive, said: “3D is without doubt one of the most talked-about developments in television for many years. Sky has always innovated to bring customers the best possible viewing experience, so we fully intend to take the lead in bringing the spectacle of 3D to the UK and Ireland.”
About Sky
Sky is the UK’s leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. More than 9.7 million homes enjoy the entertainment, movies, news and sports channels. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch. Over 2 million enjoy the picture and sound quality of Sky+HD which offers 37 dedicated HD channels.
Sky+HD customers can record at the touch of a button, record two channels while watching a third previously recorded programme, automatically record new episodes of a favourite series, pause and rewind live TV and remote record. Customers can also watch Sky Anytime – a selection of the weeks best TV available on demand offering up to 90 hours of HD programming. HD ready TV with Sky+HD is Supertelly.
