A 3D TV for ye and me by mid-2010 in Australia?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 19 February 2010 14:01

Your IT - Entertainment

Panasonic has announced that its brand new prototype 3D TV, currently in Australia but quick to depart on the rest of its global tour, will cease being a prototype and instead a real product at retail by the middle of the year!

Ever since the success of the movie Avatar, which many people chose to watch in 3D rather than 2D, and ever since a range of studios decided to produce most, if not all of their upcoming movies in 3D, television manufacturers have sensed a real opportunity: bringing 3D TVs to the living rooms of consumers worldwide.

While no prices have yet been announced, whether for 3D TVs or 3D capable Blu-ray players, one can only assume that, like all new technologies, it will start off being expensive before, over time, getting cheaper, with additional thoughts on this issue in my earlier article on the subject.

Panasonic's VIERA line of TVs will naturally be the home for its upcoming 3D TV offering, and it has one, in Australia, for retailers and journalists to see on a strictly limited basis, with Panasonic proudly boasting that it is one of 'a handful in the world'.

The prototype in question is a 50-inch model, with a 65-inch model also in the works for those who simply must have the latest, greatest and biggest on offer.

Aware that competitors such as Sony are developing 3D TVs using LCD technology, Panasonic has gone on the offensive to declare plasma technology as the ideal platform for 3D television, saying that it not only offers 'better image response, but deeper blacks provide superior contrast and a wider viewing angle ensures the 3D image is uncompromised.'

Panasonic Australia's Director of the Consumer Electronics Group said that: 'For many people this is the most exciting thing to happen in the living room since the introduction of colour television. There has been an unprecedented amount of buzz around 3D TV and now Australia finally gets to see it for itself.

'People have been amazed at the lifelike quality of the image and immersive experience that 3D TV delivers. It really does create a 3D experience that easily rivals the best that can be seen in cinemas.'

Of course, Samsung was offering a 3D TV on the Australian market at least a couple of years ago, but coming well before the current 3D content boom, it's no surprise that few were interested at the time. Naturally, this is all now expected to change.

So, how does the 3D technology work with the 'active shutter glasses' on must wear to successfully see a 3D image? Details on page two, please read on.