Glasses-free 3D LCD TVs Likely out by 2015

By Dan Nystedt, IDG News May 28, 2010 2:30 am

Consumers will likely see 3D LCD TVs that don't require people to wear polarized glasses out on global markets by 2015, according to a Taiwanese research group that showed off an early version of such a device this week.

Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) displayed a 42-inch glasses-free 3D LCD TV this week, and the company can currently make them with screens as large as 65 inches, according to Stephen Jeng, director of ITRI's 3D System & Application Division.

The technology is considered vital to getting 3D into more people's living rooms. Analysts say most people don't want to wear polarized glasses to watch 3D TV, and many balk at the price, up to $200 per pair for some of the glasses. The high price might make a person think twice about hosting a World Cup or Super Bowl party with friends.

Jeng says ITRI's technology will be used in digital signs and 3D digital photo-frames initially. The main issues for glasses-free 3D TV are broadcasting, availability of content, and eye safety, he said. Small quantities of glasses-free digital signage and 3D photo frames are already available on the market, he said, but may yet take a year or two to take off.

The glasses-free 3D LCD TV on display from ITRI this week showed pictures of objects that ITRI's software converted into a 3D image. The image was blurry and the technology appears to still be a long way from being ready.

The research group is using parallax barrier technology to create the 3D effect on the TV. The TV was branded Chi Mei, from Chimei Innolux, but Jeng said the company gave ITRI a regular LCD TV to use for the show and that ITRI added its 3D technology to the set on display. Chimei Innolux is not making glasses-free 3D TVs.

A number of companies are working on glasses-free 3D TVs, mainly in Japan and South Korea.

The 3D TV concept took off early this year at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as most major TV makers, including Samsung Electronics, showed off sets that are 3D-capable, meaning people can use them as regular high definition (2-dimensional) TVs or as 3D TVs.

The global 3D TV market this year will likely reach 6.2 million units, according to market researcher Displaybank, with sales growing to 33 million units by 2012.


http://www.pcworld.com/article/197422/glassesfree_3d_lcd_tvs_likely_out_by_2015.html

2 phones compete for emerging 3D mobile market share

Here's an interesting new site: 3dphonereview.com

Currently they are announcing the new HTC EVO 3D and publishing a comparison between it and the LG 3D Optimus. Both run Android OS 2.3 - what we find interesting (exciting) is that there is a growing buzz and competition in this space as more and more products emerge and more and more critics, pundits, and consumers enter the fray.

and yet another viewing option... VUZIX eyewear

Vuzix is now shipping their Wrap 1200 3Ds, a pair of $500 glasses (a headtracking model called the 1200VR is coming later this month) that displays a 75-inch virtual screen in front of your face and supports 3D content. You have separate focus settings for each each eye and these are as light and small as a standard pair of sunglasses.

The Vuzix 1200s also allow you to wear your own prescription lenses under the device.

I’ve used earlier Vuzix video glasses on flights before and, barring the dork-feel of wearing a pair of video glasses, the experience is fairly interesting and impressive. Now, however, with HD, 3D and a huge screen these things could, feasibly, replace a standard monitor in some situations.

The glasses include a pair of headphones for audio and you can buy optional DVI adapters and light shields as well as a head-position sensor for more advanced tricks like real-time VR. The future, as they say, is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/11/vuzix-wrap-1200-3d-glasses-hang-a-75-inch-screen-in-front-of-your-nose/

Sony HDR-TD10 hits the market

We've been watching the development of the consumer 3D camcorders for a while now. Panasonic were the first with a prototype and their entry into the market has been a long time coming now. Sony have quietly been developing their device as part of their stated commitment to 3D on all screens and platforms, now with the Sony 3d camcorder.

Sony HDR-TD10 3D camcorder

4.5 stars for new LG 3DTV with passive display system

All I can say is: FINALLY.

At NAB when 3D was really new and all the rage there were all sorts of PASSIVE 3DTVs being shown - the models from JVC were amazing. It all looked bright and sunny for the future of 3D in the home, and then.... All the big electronics manufactures started bringing out ACTIVE 3D TV systems. Those of us in the know were aghast - the active shutter glass system is, and has always been inferior. The logic I believe, was that the active systems could be inexpensively retrofit to the new generation of high refresh sets, thus getting a jump on the 3D bandwagon without making it a vanity product with an unreasonable pricetag. This would (presumably) give them time to reduce the manufacturing costs of the superior passive system sets - passive is like you see in the RealD theaters - inexpensive lightweight plastic glasses with polarizing filters in each lens. Whatever the reasons were, we are finally emerging from the active systems days. This set of reviews show consumers' opinions of the new LG screen - and the feedback is excellent. A pricetag of $1600 is not bad either.

(link to consumer opinions) 4.5 STARS FOR LG 55LW5600

Nintendo 3DS video content

(from the 3DS Wiki)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3ds#Video_content

Video content

The system also has 3D movie and video playback capability. Nintendo has made deals with Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies.[91] Although no titles have been announced yet, the trailers for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon, Warner Bros' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, and Disney’s film Tangled were shown on the 3DS during the E3 Expo.[92] On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced that it will be partnering with Fuji TV and other Japanese broadcasters to distribute free 3D videos to Japanese Nintendo 3DS owners.[93][94] On January 19, 2011, Nintendo of Europe announced at their press conference that they will be partnering with EuroSport and Sky 3D to bring content to the Nintendo 3DS at a later date in 2011. Richard Goleszowski is also locked to bring exclusive 3D episodes of Shaun the Sheep to European Nintendo 3DS market by the end of the year. During the 2011 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced that the Nintendo 3DS will support live streaming from Netflix.[95] Also at the same conference, Nintendo announced a short-form video service for the Nintendo 3DS. This channel will offer a wide variety of video content, from comedy to music, all curated by Nintendo.[96] As part of an initial firmware update for the system, Nintendo 3DS systems in North America include the 3D version of the music video for "White Knuckles" from OK Go.[97]

Nintendo 3DS: Developers' Comments - E3 2010