Sony To Start Shipping Passive 3D TVs? OLED Coming!!

According to Reg Hardware, Sony is set to start shipping passive 3DTVs and in fact are already doing so to China.

I looks like Berlin's IFA Technology Show in September will be the launching point of the sets in Europe.

Sony HAS NOT officially announced this development yet, but Noriaki Negishi (Deputy President of Home Entertainment, Sony) said they will be aggressively marketing the technology within 12 months.

He added: "Our engineers don’t really like [passive] because it has half the resolution of active shutter 3D, but consumers appreciate the convenience of passive."

I think this is a great move on Sony's part as their active matrix glasses (the bigger, expensive ones that hold batteries and do all the 3D heavy lifting) were tending to slow down sales. LG is having great success with their passive S3D TVs - so much so that Panasonic announced that they too are entering the passive market.

What's next for Sony? OLED (organic, plastic and flexible layers)! They will be shipping OLED TVs next year that are much brighter than LEDs.

Negishi on OLED: "2013 will be the year when we will really fight back with new technologies"

Personally I like the passive technology in that it is much more comfortable - especially for prescription eyeglass wearers. Also - no batteries to worry about. While it is true that the resolution is cut down due to the nature of the technology, I tend to subscribe to the fact that our brains will merge the two images into a higher resolution approaching full HD anyway. Somebody prove me wrong. I know it looks darn good. Add in OLED brightness and flexibility and we have a winner!

Thanks for the heads up Yves!

Source: Reg Hardware

CES 2012: Must See S3D Products & Services!

Well CES 2012 is almost upon us and what better way to warm up to the infamous show than to go over some of what you will see there!

This year is something special. 3D has taken the world by storm and now some truly awe inspiring products are hitting the market now after some R&D has been spent.

2012 is the year of autostereoscopic 3D - no glasses required. Many new products will be revealed this year from such companies as LG (computer monitor), Stream TV and Magentic 3D. But I have not seen these offerings and cannot vouch for them. I CAN vouch for MasterImage 3D's tablet sized displays however as I have used them...

1. MasterImage 3D's 10.1" Autostereoscopic displays: Yes, glasses free screens for tablets are here already much faster than I thought would happen. No need for any 3D glasses whatsoever and believe me, the screens are very impressive. I saw the 7" version at Cinemacon last spring and wow. Amazing depth from such a portable screen.

MasterImage uses their proprietary Cell Matrix Parallax technology. It offers both portrait and landscape modes and can easily switch from 3D to 2D.

Here are the Display's features:
- High brightness level and wide viewing angle, delivering the sharpest and highest quality 3D images
- Elimination of crosstalk (ghosting)
- Switchable between 2D and 3D modes. Reverse compatible with existing 2D content
- Switchable between portrait and landscape modes in 3D, unique to ‘Cell Matrix Parallax’
- Compatible with all existing flat display technologies
- Cost effective – Manufacturing simplicity resulting in high yields

I can't wait to see their 3D demos at some point using their 10.1" display! The 7" was great, but of course the larger the screen, the better the 3D. It won't be long before we see these things in our standard issue tablets!


2. 3D Now's Theater - Drop In Black Box 3D Solution For Your 2D Television: A new non-anaglyphic frame-sequential stereoscopic processor to allow you to create S3D content from your existing 2D investment. Apparently first in the world. The content must be in 1080p with HDMI input, so that includes Blu-ray players, video game consoles, cable, satellite, Internet, etc.

From their press release:
"Almost everyone wants to enjoy all of the great new 3D content becoming more and more available, but most people don't want to invest in a new 3D-ready flat panel display or projector," said Doug Smith, director of sales for 3D Now. "3D Now Theater is the perfect solution for instantly converting those 2D displays into high performance 3D experience."

To achieve "instant 3D", 3D Now Theater utilizes 3D Now's proprietary frame interleaving with active shutter technology. 3D Now's system integrates the latest 3D standards and is far superior to either the passive shutter or the older anaglyphic technologies - used in alternative products. Passive technology skips every second line of the frame in the processing thus delivering a lesser quality picture while the anaglyphic format does not store the color schemes in the processing degrading the picture quality. 3D Now's active shutter technology is the most advanced technology and delivers a true stereoscopic 3D viewing that doesn't derogate the original source.

High quality 3D performance is also achieved thanks to 3D Now's Active Shutter RF Eyewear. Unlike competitive IR eyewear, the 3D Now Eyewear allows the viewer to turn his or her head without losing synchronization, achieving a smooth, continuous 3D presentation. Critical to maintaining the qualities of the original content, the 3D Now Eyewear features high contrast ratio, high uniformity and fast response time. The 3D Now Eyewear is comfortable to wear and large enough to wear comfortably even over prescription glasses.

The 3D Now Theater processor will be available through authorized dealers and retailers in the U.S. beginning in early Spring 2012.

3D Now will showcase the new 3D Now Theater at Booth 21166 (The Powerhouse Alliance booth) in the South Hall at CES 2012, held January 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About 3D Now LLC
3D Now is the world's first producer of non-anaglyphic frame-sequential stereoscopic processors. 3D Now's unique technology allows users to instantly and easily convert high definition 2D displays into 3D displays. For more information on 3D Now, visit http://www.3dnow.com.

Just as I thought when this story came to me (thanks Wm Turner!), that the heavy lifting will have to be done with the glasses as the televisions are all 2D. Active Shutter is the only way to go with this.

I am setting up an interview with these guys shortly. Stay tuned for more info.


3. BCS Championship Game 3D Viewing Event: The night before the show opens, invited guests will view the BCS National Championship game live on ESPN 3D at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater. Food, drinks and 3D glasses will be provided. This is by invitation only, so... get invited!

Here are the details for their various 3D events:
BCS Championship Game (Invitation Only)
5:30 p.m.; Doors Open at 4:30 p.m.
Monday, January 9
Las Vegas Hilton Theater

SportsNation
2 p.m.
Wednesday, January 11
LVCC, Central Hall, ESPN 3D Booth #13632
Watch Emmy Award-winning SportsNation live as it becomes ESPN’s first studio program to be telecast in 3D! The show provides an off-beat look at sports, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and weaves pop culture into a fast-paced hour like no other.

CES Edition of Friday Night Fights
1:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 11
LVCC, Central Hall, ESPN 3D Booth #13632
Let’s get ready to rumble! Join ESPN 3D for the best seat in the house during Top Rank boxing matches staged live on the show floor. This event will also be telecast live on ESPN 3D.

ESPN 3D is doing it right! Love their content and passion for delivering solid 3D entertainment to the home.


4. LG's 84" 3D Ultra Definition TV: LG Electronics will showcase the "world's largest" 3D Ultra Definition (UD) HDTV measuring an incredible 84-inches and feature a 3840 x 2160 resolution (4K), 8 million pixels, a slim and narrow bezel design, 3D Depth Control and 3D Sound Zooming.

The LG display will also offer more than just razor-sharp graphics. The company said it will come packed with LG's Smart TV ecosystem that provides over 1,200 apps and a library of 3D movies. Users will navigate through the content using LG's new ergonomically-designed Magic Remote which supports four different types of input: Voice Recognition, Wheel, Magic Gesture and Point. There's also a 2D to 3D conversion engine that brings older flat content to new 3D depths.
"LG is pushing the limits of home entertainment innovation with this 3D UD TV," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. "We are bringing together all our Smart TV and 3D knowledge in the 3D UD TV in order to demonstrate to the CES audience that LG is committed to being the world’s leading brand for immersive home entertainment in 2012 and beyond."

Pricing and availability my be disclosed at the show. From what I have seen and read - WOW. Note that LG subscribes to passive 3D technology, so their TVs use the same type of glasses as RealD does at the theater.


More CES news when I get it!

Great Feedback From Live S3D Football Yesterday!!

Jim here. Looks like there is some great word of mouth happening about yesterday's football match between Manchester United and Arsenal!

Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-1.

UK fans had this to say (via Mirror.co.uk): Lifelong Arsenal fan Alan Howe, 66, who watched the game at a pub in the capital, said: "I have HD at home and I thought nothing could get better than that. But this certainly is. It's mind-boggling."

United fan Josie Haigh, 28, a solicitor from Huddersfield,West Yorks, said: "It's amazing. The close-up shots are really good. It feels like you are being sucked into the screen."

Ben Smart, 27, a Man U supporter from Leeds, said: "What a game. It feels even better to win in 3D."

The identity of the nine pubs in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin where the game was shown in 3D had been kept top secret so that they weren't swamped by fans.

Sky (with 3D services from 3ality Digital) says 3D home sets will be on the market in the next six months. Companies hope to sell sets costing between £700 and £1,000 ($1100 and $1600).

...And fans from Scotland (via news.scotsman.com): James Wright, 34, who travelled across from Falkirk for the match, said: "It's fantastic. With that sort of depth it feels like you're actually there as opposed to watching it on the telly. It gives the impression that the TV is about 500 miles long."

Andrew Christie, 37, also from Falkirk, said: "The close-up, mid-range shots were really effective."

And Deborah Morrison, 24, from Livingston said she could see herself getting really into football matches for the first time after experiencing the beautiful game in 3D. She said: "I've never been that interested in watching the footy but this made the atmosphere really effective."

This is great news indeed! While there was one report of a newspaper not liking it (metro.co.uk), it was very evasive in trying to explain why. I find those reports to be on the "contrary makes news" side of things as clearly patrons loved it (there were no quotes in the Metro piece from customers at all - just the lone reporter). Thanks for the heads up Matthew!

I take this all as a hearty endorsement of the format and venue possibilities! The screens will get larger of course (these screenings were on 47" LG S3DHD TVs - though Sky cannot air in true HD yet in 3D for both eyes). So if you lean more towards theatrical live 3D sports or those shown in pubs, it is not hard to see the parallax... err, parellel between them all - FUN! Stay tuned for more!!

CES 2010: 3D is Everywhere! Plus 4K TV's & AMOLED from Samsung!

Michael here. I've been walking around the show floor of CES 2010 today, and 3D has been everywhere: Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, LG, JVC, Sharp, Toshiba, and more are all showing off their 3D TV lineups.

Four things caught my eye so far today : Samsung's AMOLED 3DTV's and the 4K TVs from LG, Panasonic and Toshiba.

The Samsung AMOLED has organic pixels which produce their own light. The displays are 31 inches diagonal and produced incredible images despite being only a few millimeters thick. I believe that OLED-type TVs are the wave of the future - it is only a matter of time until they are produced in larger sizes. I'd love to have one to coat an entire wall of my apartment!

See the Samsung OLED 3DTVs below:

Sony was showing off 3D OLEDs as well. Sony's screens were said to be 24 inches diagonal.

4K TVs are also drawing big crowds. So far I have seen a 152 inch Viera plasma from Panasonic, an 84 inch display from LG, and a 54 inch display from Toshiba. All are extremely impressive: you can easily imagine that you are not looking at a screen, but through a window into another world, or perhaps at a piece of artwork hanging on a wall.

The Toshiba was especially interesting as it demoed the processing power of its Cell processor, which was able to upgrade 2K content to psuedo-4K in realtime. The small screen size was also impressive: the smaller the screen, the more condensed the pixels have to be.

Of course, OLED 4K 3D TVs (at 48 or 60 fps) would be the holy grail!

NVIDIA Expanding 3D Ecosystem! 3D Gaming Set To Explode...

Jim here. It's happening! Next up of course is the upcoming launch of the ASUS G51J3D in December with it's 15.6" screen. If you happen to be in New York City tomorrow (Nov 19), check out the Wine, Dine & Demo which is focused on the ASUS laptop. Go to www.pepcom.com for more details.

We are now getting word on other OEMs (Manufacturers) that are joining the "3D Ecosystem": LG, Clevo, CPT and MSI to name a few. LG is building the next generation of 120Hz notebook panels with full support for the NVIDIA 3D Ecosystem, while the others will have S3D laptops emerging very soon.

From CNN: "We are extremely excited about bringing the first NVIDIA 3D Vision notebook to market," said PC Wang, Corporate Vice President & General Manager, Notebook Business Unit, System Business Group at ASUS. "NVIDIA and ASUS have a passion for gaming and cutting-edge technology, and this is another example of how great companies working together can deliver awesome new platforms to our combined customers."

"NVIDIA 3D Vision is by far the most immersive, highest quality, full-resolution stereoscopic 3D technology available today," said Ryan Chung, Chief Director of Notebook Business Unit of CPT. "This is an exciting time for users, who will finally be able to see their games, movies and pictures with true 3D depth."

"LG Display is planning to fully support NVIDIA 3D Vision technology with our next generation of 120Hz notebook panels," said David Choi, Vice President, LG Display.

"We look forward to bringing NVIDIA 3D Vision-capable notebooks to the market," said Stephen Chien, WW Sales and Marketing VP at Clevo. "The era of 3D is upon us, and immersive 3D gaming and movie-watching is indeed an exciting proposition."

"NVIDIA 3D Vision is the best 3D technology available today," said Vincent Sung, VP of Notebook Engineering team at MSI. "We are excited about developing new MSI notebooks that offer this awesome technology and bring 3D gaming and movies to the masses." "NVIDIA's 3D Vision technology provides the best 3D experience that we have seen, and we look forward to bringing this technology to market on notebook panels," said SH Moon, Vice President, Samsung Electronics. "Samsung LCD Division is fully behind NVIDIA's 3D Vision ecosystem."

There is obviously a tremendous corporate movement going on here and in the right direction. I have been an active shutter advocate for home S3D gaming for years now. It's finally coming to fruition and I couldn't be happier. Who is going to win? Gamers. Stay tuned!

CES 2009: Autostereoscopic 3DTV Roundup

Hi everyone, Michael here with an overview of the autostereo (no glasses required) 3DTV's that were on display at CES.

Let me start off by saying that no piece of tech on the CES show floor (save Samsung's touch screen vending machine) drew crowds as big as those in front of the autostereo displays. The average attendee's reaction usually progressed from "wow, that's amazing!" to "I have to stand in certain spots for it to work" to "I can't wait until they perfect this." A lot of people seemed truly boggled by what they were seeing, as if they were witnessing magic.

Alioscopy

Alioscopy's 3DTV had the sharpest resolution, deepest 3D-effect, as well as the most inconspicuous transfer between views of all the autostereoscoic displays I saw at CES. From what I learned from the Alioscopy reps, their high quality 3D is a result of a prioprietary lenticular screen and pixel interleaving routine which maintains the highest resolution possible, along with special 3D authoring software to create the 8 viewpoints used in their display. Alioscopy's demo of potential medical applications of autostereo (in the form of 3D images of the human body) was particularly impressive.

Samsung

Samsung's autostereo 3DTV was just a notch below the Alioscopy demo in terms of image crispness and fluidity of transition between viewing angles. The range of viewing angles in their 9-viewpoint autostereo system was quite wide, too.

LG

LG's display featured the least pronounced 3D-effect of the three. The image also seemed the most pixelated. Nevertheless, this display--as well as all autostereo TV's shown on the CES floor--drew many "oohs" and "aahs" from attendees.

I heard from someone on the last day of CES that Phillips also had an autostereo set on display, but that it was being shown in the Hilton Hotel, away from the other major consumer electronics companies. If anyone who has seen the Phillips display would like to chime in below, I'd really appreciate hearing what you think of it.

LG Announces 3D TV For 2009

LG is one of my favorite gadget companies. We have one of their phones and a laptop too. Now comes word from Choon Lee, VP of their Digital TV Research Lab that LG will release at least one 3D TV in 2009.

Lee stated at the Digital TV Technology centre in Seoul: "3D TVs are the next big step for (LG) - we will try with one or two markets in 2009... Over the next few years we will see lots more 3D"

You've got that right Choon. Can't wait to get a 3D set up at home myself - the question is, what set up is best? When the time is right I will run down all the choices we will be able to make for 3D Home Theater. Stay tuned.

Source: T3