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3D TV 101
3D is heading for the home, finally ready to crash into your clients’ living rooms.
The first article in a series this week on emerging trends in 2010.
Just like its on-screen images, 3D TV is coming at you fast. Most major TVs makers are gearing up for a big 3D push in 2010.
So why now? "It's a combination of things," explains Chris Chinnook, president of technology analyst company Insight Media and board member of the 3D@Home consortium, a non-profit group tasked with getting 3D into living rooms as fast as possible.
Chinnook refers to a maturing of the technology and the success of 3D in commercial theaters. Movie studios want to see that success duplicated in their home video sales, while TV manufacturers want to lure customers with the latest products. "There's a tremendous push from the consumer electronics industry that says this is the next big thing."
Most of the major TVs makers are closely guarding their 3D TV plans, but some recent announcements provide a tantalizing glimpse of our 3D future.
Sony announced in September its intention to offer 3D Bravia TVs in 2010. The new LCD TVs, which use an active-shutter glasses system, will be accompanied by 3D Blu-ray players, Vaio PCs and the PS3 system to "provide a multitude of ways in which 3D content ... can be enjoyed in the home."
Mitsubishi, on the other hand, continues to put its 3D money into DLP rear projection sets. Mitsubishi 3D TVs, available in sizes from 60 to 82 inches, use active-shutter glasses and a separate signal emitter box to sync the glasses with the screen at a rate of 60 times per second for each eye.
Panasonic drew lots of admiring eyeballs during an October 2009 Japanese trade show when it demonstrated active-shutter lens 3D on a 103-inch plasma TV. Executive vice president Bob Perry says to expect 3D-capable plasma TVs and Blu-ray players from Panasonic in 2010. Perry noted that Panasonic's first 3D displays will be plasmas, because the company believes that technology is superior for the fast frame rate that 1080p 3D requires.
Hitachi, Sharp, JVC and Toshiba have also demonstrated prototype 3D TVs for the home, though none of them would give any hints of when U.S. dealers would start propping them up on showroom floors.
For full-bore home theaters, consider a front projector. Recently Digital Projection International (DPI) unveiled a turnkey 3D system consisting of its Titan 3D 1080p DLP projector, a 3D-capable Windows-based media server with Blu-ray drive, active-shutter glasses, an IR emitter to control the glasses and preloaded content. The media server, called the Dimension by Mechdyne, can be used for 3D gaming or other 3D content.
Just like its on-screen images, 3D TV is coming at you fast. Most major TVs makers are gearing up for a big 3D push in 2010.
So why now? "It's a combination of things," explains Chris Chinnook, president of technology analyst company Insight Media and board member of the 3D@Home consortium, a non-profit group tasked with getting 3D into living rooms as fast as possible.
Chinnook refers to a maturing of the technology and the success of 3D in commercial theaters. Movie studios want to see that success duplicated in their home video sales, while TV manufacturers want to lure customers with the latest products. "There's a tremendous push from the consumer electronics industry that says this is the next big thing."
3D Manufacturers
Most of the major TVs makers are closely guarding their 3D TV plans, but some recent announcements provide a tantalizing glimpse of our 3D future.
Sony announced in September its intention to offer 3D Bravia TVs in 2010. The new LCD TVs, which use an active-shutter glasses system, will be accompanied by 3D Blu-ray players, Vaio PCs and the PS3 system to "provide a multitude of ways in which 3D content ... can be enjoyed in the home."
Mitsubishi, on the other hand, continues to put its 3D money into DLP rear projection sets. Mitsubishi 3D TVs, available in sizes from 60 to 82 inches, use active-shutter glasses and a separate signal emitter box to sync the glasses with the screen at a rate of 60 times per second for each eye.
Panasonic drew lots of admiring eyeballs during an October 2009 Japanese trade show when it demonstrated active-shutter lens 3D on a 103-inch plasma TV. Executive vice president Bob Perry says to expect 3D-capable plasma TVs and Blu-ray players from Panasonic in 2010. Perry noted that Panasonic's first 3D displays will be plasmas, because the company believes that technology is superior for the fast frame rate that 1080p 3D requires.
Hitachi, Sharp, JVC and Toshiba have also demonstrated prototype 3D TVs for the home, though none of them would give any hints of when U.S. dealers would start propping them up on showroom floors.
3D Technologies
For full-bore home theaters, consider a front projector. Recently Digital Projection International (DPI) unveiled a turnkey 3D system consisting of its Titan 3D 1080p DLP projector, a 3D-capable Windows-based media server with Blu-ray drive, active-shutter glasses, an IR emitter to control the glasses and preloaded content. The media server, called the Dimension by Mechdyne, can be used for 3D gaming or other 3D content.
2010 State of the Industry
 | 2010 State of the Industry Report The industry is still ticking after taking a licking. Revenues fell 51 percent in 2009, according to the CE Pro Readership Survey. Webinar: 2010 State of the Industry Join CE Pro editor Jason Knott and his special guests as they explain how the CE industry fared in 2009 and what the outlook is for 2010. 3D TV 101 3D is heading for the home, finally ready to crash into your clients' living rooms. Here's a primer on 3D TV. Digital Media: Being a Content Provider Black boxes and TVs are spinning the Web, so you better get connected. Smart Grid Opportunities for 2010 The market for electronics pros is still developing - but you better prepare. How to Attack the Middle Market CE pros are adjusting to a new market paradigm that emphasizes product demonstrations and affordable solutions. Industry Embracing Commercial, Retrofit Markets Once "fat and happy" on the new-construction gravy train, CE pros are now feeding off the commercial and retrofit markets. | |
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Article Topics
News · Product News · Business Resources · Displays · TVs · 3d · 3d Tv · Td ·About the Author
Grant Clauser is the technology and web editor for Electronic House. Grant has been covering home electronics for more than 10 years with editorial roles in several consumer and trade magazines. He's done ISF-level damage to hundreds of reviewed products and has had audio training from Home Acoustics Alliance and Sencore.
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