Philips Announced 21:9 3D TV

Philips launched 21:9 TV last year. Last week, the company announced 3D version of the 21:9 TV and will be available from late summer 2010. It has a 21:9 aspect ratio allowing you to view movies as they were meant to be seen (2.39:1), rather than with borders at the top and bottom. The 3D versions come in 8000 and 9000 series. Prices are yet to be announced, but Philips won’t be charging a “premium” for the 3D TV.
Philips is using active-shutter technology to deliver 3D. This is the same system most other manufacturers use. The technology relies on a transmitter to sync a pair of glasses, which in turn produce the 3D effect by shutting off one eye at a time.

No 3D glasses will be supplied with the Philips’ TV, customers have to purchase these separately. Philips’ 56-inch 21:9 TV is the natural platform for 3D.

What Make 3D TVs Booming?

Will you buy a 3D TV this year when they are launched? There are many reasons why you have to buy it. Not only because of TV broadcasters will have interesting 3D programs, but you will also see Blu-ray content and players in the market this summer. Blu-ray Disc will play a big role in the 3D revolution.

Disney says it will have a 3D version of A Christmas Carol out by the fourth quarter of 2010. DreamWorks and Samsung have announced a deal with Technicolor to replicate content in 3D.

Interestingly, ESPN will show 85 sporting events in 3D. Sony is partnering with Discovery and Imax to have a 3D channel by 2011. And broadcasters - such as BSkyB - are getting into the act, too.

Manufacturers are also thinking about 3D on a computer, notebook, and mobile phone. Not less than 80 percent of PC games are currently available in 3D.

For filmmakers, a 3D camera will arrive in the fall: Panasonic $21,000, professional-grade Full HD camcorder. It will be able to record video from each of its twin lenses.

There is no reason you will not buy 3D TV. But you need a kind of 3D TV buying guide you can trust.

3D TV Products Launched This Year

Some vendors have announced their 3D TV products. They will ship them in the next couple months. Samsung has began producing 3D-compatible LED and LCD screens. On the other hand, LG will launch 3D TV series in April 2010.

When the products hit the market, this site will be your 3D TV Buying Guide. Mean while, here are some vendors that have announced their products.

Samsung
Samsung has launched 3D TV series: LED 9000, LED 8000 and LED 7000. The LED 9000 series is just 0.3-inch thin, with sleek brush metal frame and the ability to convert 2D content to 3D in real time.

The LED9000 remote has a touch-screen that can display live TV feeds while your main panel shows a Blu-ray, for example. Excitingly, when you near the TV, it automatically opens up the button control panel for you.

Lately, Samsung also announced that the company began producing 3D-compatible LED and LCD screens. The full-HD 3D TVs are 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch. The products include Samsung LED7000 series and 750 Series LCD TVs.

Panasonic
This summer, Panasonic will launch 3D TVs. The upcoming full HD (1080p) 3D Viera TVs range in screen size from nearly 50 inches to 65 inches. They include two 50-inch models ( the TC-P50VT20 and TC-P50VT25); a 54-inch set (TC-P54VT25); a 58-inch set (TC-P58VT25) and the 65-inch top-of-the-line TC-P65VT25. Each model will be shipped with one pair of the special glasses. The glasses are required to see content in 3D.  Panasonic has not announced the pricing yet.

LG
LG will also deliver 3D television into your home. The first 3D product will be LD360 series. LG has not announced the price for the 47-inch LCD TV, but the products will be available form April 2010.

Sony
In 3D arena, Sony will not only launch 3D TVs but also Blu-ray player, home theater unit, and firmware upgrade of PlayStation 3:
  • Bravia XBR-LX900 series (40, 46, 52, and 60-inch). Sony Bravia XBR-LX900 has a built-in 3D transmitter and integrated 3D functionality to be used with Sony's 3D active shutter glasses. The LX 900 also delivers 1080p resolution, and built-in Wi-Fi to access Internet video.
  • Bravia XBR-HX900 series (46 and 52-inch)
  • Bravia HX800 series (40, 46, and 55-inch)
  • BDP-S770 Blu-ray player
  • BDV-HZ970W home theater unit
  • PlayStation 3 (firmware upgrade)
Toshiba
With Toshiba ZX900 Cell 3D TV, the company goes one step further by converting reguler 2D TV to 3D TV. The ZX900 has 8 core processors which delivers 13 times more processing power than a regular TV, and a built-in Blu-ray player. It uses KIRA2 LED-backlit displays and gives you access to Net TV channels.
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Television makers are using active shutter technology. The 3D TVs requires special glasses. RealD is providing the glass technology to a number of TV manufactures. Right now, there is no guarantee that the glasses will be compatible across manufactures. (Read also 3D TV Technology.)

Samsung 3D LED HDTV

Samsung has released its 3D TV series and they are available at Amazon.com.









Panasonic Viera

Panasonic Viera

Sony BRAVIA LX900

Sony BRAVIA LX900