Reports of 3D devices have been pouring in at a steady rate for months now, and it’s all beginning to seem like old news – hasn’t every manufacturer now announced plans for 3D TVs and 3D Blu-ray players?
Well, not quite. Here’s a Who’s Who of recent announcements.
LG announced the release of its LD920, which was also the model used in Sky's 3D TV demo in late January.
Just before the month began, Sky drew a wave of attention. First, we heard that it had ordered a 3D broadcast van from Sony; then, the reason for that became clear: Sky announced the arrival of Europe’s first dedicated 3D channel this April – and iced the cake by immediately providing a test broadcast from a Premiere League football match. This was watched by fans across the country in nine pubs kitted out with LG 3D TVs – and, presumably, a very large box of polarised filter glasses.
Since then, there’s been something new every couple of days. Early in February, Singapore’s Sunny Ocean Studios, a TV manufacturer, announced plans to release a 3D TV that requires no 3D glasses. In a similar topic, Sony indicated plans to introduce 3D contact lenses using the circular polarisation method. On February 9, we heard – courtesy of the Korea Times – that Samsung and LG were planning to release 3D TVs as early as March this year. Soon afterwards, LG explained its “Active Retarder” technology, which it plans to introduce in about two years – the technology is said to combine the advantages of today’s two popular 3D TV technologies (polarised filters and shutter glasses).
Reports surfaced on February 12 that Sony would add 3D support to its PlayStation 3 games console this summer via a firmware update, and on February 16, Panasonic announced the arrival of its first 3D Blu-ray player, expected during spring 2010.
Rumours surfaced on February 23 that Philips would launch a 3D version of its Cinema 21:9 TV, the world’s first LCD TV in Cinemascope format. Televisions.com reviewed the original model back in summer 2009, and found the unusual screen format a bit gimmicky. The extra bonus of 3D support, however, might help the screen provide an even more immersive movie experience.
Philips reportedly plans to introduce a 3D version of its Cinema 21:9.
A report by Which?, the online reviews portal, then claimed that Samsung would first release its 3D TVs in the UK this April – later than suggested by the Korea Times. LG seems to remain on track for March, however, and even apparently let slip about a handful of further 3D devices expected for May – a spreadsheet detailing the company’s “road map” for 2010 briefly appeared online, although it’s not clear whether the information was genuine.
In the last few days of the month, French broadcaster announced plans to launch a 3D channel before Christmas 2010. As things stand, this would be Europe’s second dedicated 3D channel, but we’ve got an inkling we’ll hear a lot more 3D news soon.
