TOTALLY3D … your guide to the world of 3D
3D TVs
3D televisions are going to be the number one must have over the next couple of years. Once you have experienced a 3D football match or Disney Pixar film in the luxury of your own home you will not want to go back to humdrum 2D technology.
Film makers and manufacturers have all been focusing on the development of this technology and most believe 3D TV’s will be common place by 2011. Research already shows that in the US alone 3.5 million 3D TVs are expected to be sold in 2010.
| LG 3D TV’s |  |
| PHILIPS 3D TV’s |  |
| SAMSUNG 3D TV’s |  |
| SONY 3D TV’s |  |
| TOSHIBA 3D TV’s |  |
Is your TV 3D ready?
3D TV takes you closer to the action providing a completely immersive viewing experience as soon as you put on glasses. You can literally convert your living room into a movie theatre or famous sports arena with content from 3D Blu-ray players, 3D video games and future services from Sky and Virgin. Film makers and manufacturers have all been focusing on the development of this technology and most believe 3D TV’s will be common place by 2011. Research already shows that in the US alone 3.5 million 3D TVs are expected to be sold in 2010.
New technology can always be a little bewildering so to help we’ve come up with four of the most commonly asked questions on 3D TV. In addition we have come up with a guide on how to buy your 3D TV.
LG 3D TVs
LG are one of the only manufacturers who have released both passive and active 3D TVs.
LG’s launch model was the LD950 which offers its user a fantastic picture and incredible 3D effects. LG have then gone on to launch other 3D ready tvs including the LX6500, the LX6900 and the LX9900. Most LG 3D tvs come with pairs of glasses including their active 3D tvs.
As expected from a LG TV you will always get a quality picture crammed full of technology. Most LG tvs have HD Freeview built into the TV. Most have USB input, TruMotion (helps avoid blur), Netcast (enabling you to download content) and full LED resulting in a crystal quality image.
View all 3D LG Tvs.
THE LG LD950
CHECK OUT MORE INFO ON LG 3D TVs
Panasonic 3DTVs
Panasonic have certainly been bold with their first 3D TVs – the VT25 series. The VT25 are a range of large screen plasma TVs that come packed with technology and gadgets including a Neo Plasma display, anti glare technology and 1080p.
Just like most other brands Panasonic uses active 3D technology to ensure a vivid and exciting 3D image. The 3D TV’s come in a large array of sizes from 50 to 65 inches. The Totally3D team especially like the P50VT25 for its style and functionality =.
Check out more 3D Panasonic TVs
Philips 3DTVs
Philips have released new 3D TV’s under the guise of the 9000 (PFL9705) and 8000 (PFL8605)
Philips 9000 3D TV
CHECK OUT MORE INFO ON PHILIPS 3D TVs
Samsung 3DTVs
Samsung are one of the pioneers of 3D TV’s having successfully launched the C7000 and C8000 series. There is also the C750 which offers ultra-clear 3D effects, perfect for movies and gaming.
By buying a Samsung you can expect to recieve an incredible visual experience as well as a stylish TV. By combining an realistic and immersive 3D experience with the unrivaled picture quality of HyperReal Engine the TV screen literally pops out in front of you. Also worth noting that all their 3D Tv’s feature Samsung proprietary 200Hz processors and ethernet/ usb ports for wireless capabilities. Look out for their 3D plasma versions and a blu-ray player.
As Samsung 3D TV’s use active 3D technology you will need Samsung 3D glasses to enjoy the experience.
CHECK OUT MORE INFO ON SAMSUNG 3D TVs
Sony 3DTVs
Sony have catered to a number of different customers creating 3D HDTV’s that suit all budgets. Like most other 3D TV manufacturers, Sony will be using frame sequential display technology in conjunction with their 3D Active Shutter glasses to deliver high quality 3D content.
The three new 3D TV series include:
- the LX900 series – they feature a 1080p flat panel that incorporates Sony’s Motionflow PRO 240Hz technology for enhancing screen response times and minimizing motion-blur. There is also the Bravia Engine 3 video processor which helps reduce noise. Screen sizes include: 40, 46, 52 and 60 inches.
- the HX900 series – Similar to the LX series it features a full 1080p flat screen and technology for minimizing ghosting. There is also a variety of connectivity including four HDMI 1.4 inputs. The HX900 will come in two sizes – 46 or 52 inch screen.
- the HX800 series – This is Sony’s entry level to 3D ready TVs. The TV will share most of the same technology as the HX900 however there will be a lack of integrated WiFi support. If however you are after a quality 3D TV at an affordable price then this is the TV for you. Screen sizes include 40, 46 and 55 inches.
CHECK OUT MORE INFO ON SONY 3D TVs
Toshiba 3D TV’s
Although Toshiba have been slower to enter the world of 3D Tvs than others … it was definetly worth waiting for. Toshiba have launched their first 3D TV the ZX900 series which comes in both 65 and 55 inches.
The 3D TV is one of the most powerful on the market with phenomenal processing power, integrated wi-fi and blu-ray and a contrast ratio of 9,000,000:1
CHECK OUT MORE INFO ON TOSHIBA 3D TVs
Experience the third dimension in 3D Tvs today!
| 1/ Will my current TV enable me to watch 3D? |
| No. You will have to buy a new 3D ready TV to enjoy 3D content. To view 3D, TV’s have to refresh the picture at more than 60-hertz which current LCDTV’s cannot do. |
| 2/ Will a 3DTV allow me to watch normal TV? |
| Yes, it will. You’ll be able to enjoy all your favourite programs on a 3D TV. |
| 3/ What glasses do I need to wear? |
| Back in the 80s and 90s you had to wear the cheap “red/blue” anaglyph glasses to view 3D … these wont be applicable with new 3D tvs. Those who have recently been to the cinema have experienced polarised glasses. Currently the only supplier to use these glasses for 3D tvs would be LG. Most manufacturers will be using active shutter LCD glasses which allow the left and right eyes to see alternate images. These glasses will be fairly costly to buy. Some companies will include 3Dglasses with the package. |
| 4/ Can I watch SKY in 3D? |
| Yes. SKY are releasing a channel specifically for 3D TVs. Their channel will only work with SKY+ HD boxes. Check out SKY subscriptions. ESPN will also be launching a 3D channel in 2010. |
How 3D TV’s work?
There are three main techniques for viewing 3D images on TVs and they include Passive glasses (aka passive polarized glasses), active glass systems (alternate-frame sequencing) and lenticular viewing (aka autostereoscopic displays).
Lenticular viewing: Although this technology is currently in existance today it is expensive and there are not too many companies developing it; the main one being Philips, and is available as of today. Sharp have also created a glass-less 3D screen technology. The main advantage of lenticular viewing is that TV can be viewed without wearing glasses. The technology used means each eye is sent a different image thus emulating stereoscopy (the process by which your eyes discern depth). The main disadvantage is that a viewer must sit in a very specific spot in front of the TV … so its likely there will be a fight for the sofa ‘sweet spot’.
Passive glass systems: Hyundai is currently developing the best of both 3D worlds where users can watch both 2D and 3D images without having to buy a separate TV. The TV works by having two overlapping images and the glasses have polarized lenses. Each lens is polarized so that it can only see one overlapping image
Active glass systems: This system is similar to passive glasses however in this instance the glasses rather than the TV do all the work. The glasses work with the refresh rate of the TV, alternating the polarization of each lens creating a 3D image. This is currently being developed by Samsung however its likely a pair of glasses could be over £50 … expensive if there is a big family.
History of 3D TV
Although 3D TV viewing is becoming popular it’s not say that it is a new phenomena. Japan went mainstream with a channel two years ago and recently an episode of 3rd Rock From The Sun was filmed in 3D.
Keep an eye on SKY who has a 3D channel and ESPN also plan to broadcast their sporting events in 3D.
