3D TV Overview

Twenty years ago 3D TV was still the stuff of science fiction. Although manufacturers and retailers have been talking about three dimensional or 3D televisions for a very long time, we have yet to experience it. The latest news is that a number of suppliers have announced that some of their flat screen high definition televisions are to have three dimensional functionality and will soon be released onto the market. Viewers of 3D television will still need to wear the special glasses that have been used in cinemas for some time, in order to fully appreciate 3D on high definition blue ray machines.

Some of these televisions, e.g. Panasonic, say that they will be producing sets that will not require the use of these glasses. Sony and Toshiba are some of the other television manufacturers who have also invested heavily in 3D enabled television. Most manufacturers are tending to adapt their LCD televisions to accept three dimensionality, while Panasonic believe that plasma is best and have introduced new, VT25 screens. The Panasonic TC-PVT25 3D plasma TV has already been displayed at CES2010 in Las Vegas and will be sold with 3D shutter glasses. The set will have to be attached to a particular Blue-ray player, which would serve as a source of 3D. The better motion handling and the stable black of the plasma screen are the things that Panasonic believes make it a more suitable medium for 3D.

Toshiba are introducing the Tri-Vector 2D to 3D conversion, using Cell powered technology that analyses the frames and then predicts the field depth in each. The 3D effect is viewed with active shutter glasses that in recent dry runs have proved extremely effective. Samsung’s 9000 uses similar technology to Toshiba’s Cell to convert images to three dimensionality. The television is compatible with a range of 3D standards, including Blue-ray Disc association and formats with full high definition resolution.

Sony have come up with a yet to be launched 60in LCD television with integrated three dimensionality and LED back lighting. People who get this when it comes out will be able to enjoy 3D straight away if they have a 3D Blue-ray disc. Those without the Blue-ray can still get 3D by connecting the television to the Play Station 3 gaming console that supports 3D gaming. Sony’s 46 and 52in models will also be enabled for 3D. These smaller screened LCD televisions will also have integrated three dimensionality and LED back lighting, featuring high definition screens, Motionflow 200Hz, PRO and Image Blur reduction.

What manufacturers believe is really going to change things with regard to 3D reception is that they expect more of a 3D infrastructure within people’s homes as Sky are already trialling a 3D channel that is due to go live later in 2010. Whether things will take off in the quite the way that manufacturers envision remains to be seen, you just have to keep watching.