Vizio has new 3D TV for the masses

This year’s CES certainly saw the introduction of 3D TVs from major manufacturers, and somehow, we are not surprised at all that among all the big players, there are also smaller manufacturers who want a piece of this potentially lucrative pie. Vizio is among one of them, consistently churning out quality stuff without breaking the bank, and they’re back with their 65″ Theater 3D Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTV alongside support for Vizio Internet Apps.

Vizio’s incorporation of their own Theater 3D technology will deliver a superior alternative to conventional 3D by utilizing battery-free, affordable and lightweight 3D glasses. The use of such glasses results in less eyestrain compared to current power-consuming “Active Shutter” technology – something to think about if you have a heart for the environment.

Also, the 65″ XVT3D650SV holds the distinction of being Vizio’s largest HDTV to date, and will arrive in time for the holiday season, so you can wow family and friends who drop by your pad with 65″ of viewing goodness. As mentioned earlier, the Vizio Theater 3D technology will produce clear, flicker-free 3D images that are noticeably brighter than conventional 3D, while helping you save cost from purchasing bulky 3D eyewear which requires batteries or charging. Nice to know that this 65″ XVT series Theater 3D HDTV will be able to deliver cinema-style 3D experience right in the comfort of your living room with a quartet of 3D glasses inside, allowing you to share the 3D goodness with others right from the get go.

Not only that, the XVT3D650SV will also support the widest selection of 3D formats, making sure it is compatible across Blu-ray, broadcast, cable, satellite, and gaming platforms. In addition, support for SENSIO Hi-Fi 3D is thrown into the picture, where this high quality, visually lossless 3D format will allow 3D content to be delivered over 2D infrastructure as well as RealD’s patented side-by-side format. Built-in Wi-Fi N connectivity makes navigating through Vizio Internet Apps a breeze, where you can access online content such as Amazon Video On Demand, Facebook, Flickr, Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Twitter, VUDU and Yahoo! TV Widgets. At $3,499.99 a pop, this is shaping up to be a pretty sweet deal.

Sceptre GX-I LED Family Series gets new HDTV

If you’re in the market for a spanking new HDTV, then might we suggest the Sceptre GX-I LED Family Series? After all, Sceptre has just introduced a spanking new HDTV that does full 1080p resolution for all your High Definition needs, and this 23-inch widescreen LED HDTV will have the added advantage of an inconspicuous, embedded DVD player.

Touted to be highly affordable, this multi-functional unit will boast a speedy 5 ms response time, auto contrast enhancement which enables color to balance for a more vivid viewing experience and superior LED display for bolder/brighter colors and crisper images, doing all of this without sipping more energy than it should. Of course, if 23-inches isn’t your cupt of tea, there is always the 19-inch and 24-inch variants to choose from, depending on your budget.

Featuring a glossy black housing and curved front, the Sceptre GX-I HDTV is more than capable of keeping you entertained, it will also add another dimension of art to your living room’s décor. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t install one of these puppies in your bedroom either, and it will equally be at home in the play room or basement if you so desire. Since there is already an embedded DVD player, you can get entertained from the get go without the need for good reception considering the sizeable collection of DVDs that most people would have amassed by now.

This lightweight combo measures just 0.9-inches at its thinnest point and 2.15-inches at its thickest. Of course, if the need arises, this model can also double up as your computer monitor on the spot. Being Energy Star 3.0 compliant equals to even more energy savings in the long run, while dual HDMI ports makes it a snap to hook up additional peripherals, with a USB port being there for photo/audio enjoyment. Other specifications of the Sceptre GX-I LED Family Series HDTV include :-

• Active Screen Size: 23-inches
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Wide Screen
• Response Time: 5 ms
• Auto contrast enhancement
• Ultra-slim embedded DVD player
• Outer frame design only .9” to 2.15”
• Two HDMI ports, support up to 1080p
• TV weighs: 9.92 lbs
• LED screen resolution 1920 x 1080
• USB port supports JPEG/Audio
• Energy Star 3.0 complied
• Brightness 300 cd/m2
• Built-in speakers (3 watts x 2)
• RoHS complied
• ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM
• SPDIF digital sound out
• Headphone jack
• Model number: E230BD-FHD

Expect it to retail for $399 if you’re interested.

LG to unleash 31-inch 3D OLED TV

LG is expanding its OLED TV line-up with a 31-inch, 3D capable model on show at IFA 2010. The new, super-slim 3D TV will join the company's existing 15-inch model on the market next year and LG says it plans to extend the range even further during 2011.

The 31-inch model is billed as the world's slimmest OLED TV at 2.9cm (1.14-inches) thick and uses passive glasses for 3D viewing. It boasts an "infinite contrast ratio" (the 15-inch is specced at 10,000,000:1), full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), can be viewed from any angle and comes with a folding stand.

OLED TVs have been on the radar as the next big thing in display technology for some time. They offer great contrast, incredible brightness and with no need for backlighting, they are amazingly thin. Sony launched its 11-inch XEL-1 OLED television two years ago, but delayed the release of a planned larger model.

So what's holding back OLED TV? The simple answer is cost. The 11-inch XEL-1 sells for around US$2500 and LG's 15-inch model costs around the same (2000 euro is the expected price in Germany). That's quite an outlay for a small screen, and the 31-inch 3D model is unlikely to come cheap (we've been given a ballpark price of 5000 euros but this is by no means official). It follows that the initial market for these screens will probably be commercial, but once production increases let's hope that prices fall to a realistic level for consumers. Once you've had a taste of these fantastic screens with their amazing sharpness, bright colors, unbeatably black blacks and very impressive 3D performance, you'll want one... I know I do.

Toshiba 3D TV without glasses

Toshiba has unveiled the world's first 3D television set that does not require special glasses - a recurring consumer complaint about the technology. It is expected to go on sale in Japan in December.

Toshiba hopes this will be the breakthrough that brings high-definition liquid crystal display 3D TV to the market, though many consumers might be put off by the fact that they'll have to be very close to the screen for the 3D effect to really work -- not to mention the steep price tag.

Electronics and entertainment companies around the world are banking on 3D to fuel a new boom in TV, movies and games, reports the Daily Mail. Most 3D TVs on the market today rely on glasses to deliver separate images to each eye, which creates a sense of three-dimensional depth.

In its new TVs, Toshiba uses a 'perpendicular lenticular sheet', comprising an array of small lenses that direct light from the display to nine points in front of the TV. If a viewer is sitting within the optimal viewing zone, the brain integrates these points into a single 3D image.

"The result is a precise rendering of high-quality 3D images whatever the viewing angle within the viewing zone," Toshiba said.

The system is similar to what's used in Nintendo's 3DS, the company's highly anticipated hand-held device that features glasses-free 3D gaming.

Toshiba will offer two sizes - 12 inches and 20 inches. The technology is not advanced enough yet to integrate into larger screens.

The TVs will go on sale in Japan in late December, Toshiba said. The smaller version will cost about 120,000 yen ( 912), and the larger one will be double that price.

The company did not release details on overseas availability.

3D TV Without Glasses Unveiled

The world's first 3D Without Glasses television that doesn't require glasses has hit the market.

Toshiba unveiled the high-definition liquid crystal display 3D television that does not require the special glasses - one of the biggest consumer complaints about the technology.

The Tokyo-based company hopes this could be the breakthrough that brings 3D TV to the masses.

Glassess-less 3D: The Regza GL1 Series TV which combines image processing technology with a double convex sheet to render depth-filled images from any angle using parallax

Toshiba describes the TVs as being for 'personal use'.

Whether consumers embrace the new TVs remains to be seen. Many might be put off by the fact that they'll have to be very close to the screen for the 3D effect to really work - not to mention the steep price tag.

Electronics and entertainment companies around the world are banking on 3D to fuel a new boom in TV, movies and games.

Most 3D TVs on the market today rely on glasses to deliver separate images to each eye, which creates a sense of three-dimensional depth.

In its new TVs, Toshiba uses a 'perpendicular lenticular sheet,' which consists of an array of small lenses that direct light from the display to nine points in front of the TV. If a viewer is sitting within the optimal viewing zone, the brain integrates these points into a single 3D image.

Small: Masaaki Osumi of Toshiba with the 12-inch 3D TV and the 20-inch

'The result is a precise rendering of high-quality 3D images whatever the viewing angle within the viewing zone,' Toshiba said.

The system is similar to what's used in Nintendo's 3DS, the company's highly anticipated hand-held device that features glasses-free 3D gaming.

Toshiba will offer two sizes - 12 inches and 20 inches. The technology is not advanced enough yet to integrate into larger screens. Suggested viewing distance for the 20-inch model is 90 centimetres (35.4 inches) and 65 centimetres (25.6 inches) for the 12-inch size.

The TVs will go on sale in Japan in late December, Toshiba said. The smaller version will cost about 120,000 yen (£912), and the larger one will be double the price.

The company did not release details on overseas availability.

ESPN 3D – Now mom can’t say, “Don’t play ball in the house”

ESPN broadcasting is about to bring you the worlds first 3D network. ESPN 3D is promising to show no less than 80 live 3D events in its inaugural year, to include FIFA World Cup matches, football, basketball and expanding to cover the X Games featuring skateboarding and rally car racing all live, and all right in the middle of your living room.

Of course to have access to all this high tech wizardry you will need a 3D ready television, and some 3D glasses, and we’re not talking about the newest plastic ones that replace the cardboard red eye, blue eye numbers of yesteryear, we’re talking sophisticated battery operated shutter glasses and you will need a 3D ready set top box from your multichannel video provider.

Discovery Communications is following right behind ESPN and has teamed up with the folks that bring you IMAX in the hopes of having their own 3D offering sometime next year. Unlike ESPN 3D, the Discovery Channel will have 3D programming available 24/7.

I can’t imagine watching a game with the players running past me in my living room, it will be difficult to resist the urge to stick my foot out and “trip” a member of the opposing team, but I’m willing to grab a cold one, make some popcorn, and try to control myself!

Source: ESPN

New LED 3D TV’s 2010: Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, LG, Philips

A few years ago we started to see CRT TVs fall out of fashion as consumers had a new type of TV – LCD. These were much thinner than the former. If you were to tell consumers that LCD TVs would get much thinner within a few years, they would have said that you were crazy. Well that is just what has happened with the introduction of LED.

These have now been around for over a year now, but they are getting thinner again. CES 2010 took place at the start of the year and had on show a new range of LED TVs, but with a small difference – the introduction of 3D technology. There are a number of new LED television sets to choose from in 2010, your decision will depend on a number of things, price, specs and design.

When it comes to LED TVs, one company leading the charge is Samsung, they are to launch three new models all capable of 3D – yes, yet another new technology – these include the C7000, C8000 and C9000 Series. These TVs have now started to hit the US market; the C7000 Series comes in 46- and 55-inch models. The C8000 and C9000 Series also comes with 46- and 55-inch models, the larger 65-inch model will be released in May.

Panasonic always seems to be late to the party than Samsung, there is a number of reasons for this, but the main one has to do with getting its technology right, there is no denying that Panasonic is one of the best TV makers on the planet. They did debut a 3DTV back in 2008, but we seem to be waiting a while to get an ultra thin LED TV, we all know how much Panasonic loves Plasma, which is now considered old technology.

Sony will be one of the latest consumer electronics companies to launch their first 3D LED TV, this will happen in June. There will be three models released, one of which is the HX800 and HX600 will use Sony’s LED edge backlit technology, with the latter offering backlighting with local dimming.

LG is on par with Samsung when it comes to its TV technology, with consumers often saying that the later has the slight edge. The best model coming from LG this year will be the Infinia LX9900 LED 3DTV, but do not expect this to be cheap. The model will not cost as much as a Panasonic or Sony, but still much more than you have been used to paying for an LG.

There is to be other models from LG, but they will not come with active shutter glasses as the model does above. Other models we can expect to see this year from the Korean company include: LX9500 series, LH950 and the LX6500.

Philips is one consumer electronics maker who is not having a huge push with its LED TV or 3D range, but they do have the 3D-ready 9000 series coming this year. We wonder how this company will ever compete with the likes of LG or Samsung, who seem to launch more TV models in a year than Phillips does in five.

We know two things, 2010 will be the year of LED TVs and 3D TVs, but will you be jumping on the bandwagon. For more details on each model visit Gizmag