Panasonic announces 3D Blu-ray recorders & players

The world will soon be getting not one, but four devices, including the DMP-BDT900-K, a straight forward player that features the latest Advanced AVC encoding engine and a generous helping of ports (including two USB, Ethernet, two HDMI outs, one component out, and an SDXC compatible memory card port).

Three of the new models include 3D Blu-ray recorders, including the DMR-BWT3000 (2TB), DMR-BWT2000 (1TB), and DMR-BWT1000 (750GB). All the aforementioned recorders sport 2Digital BS / 110°CS TV tuner, 1 Analog TV tuner, i.Link, SDXC memory card slot, Ethernet, VIERA Link, VOD Services, and BD-Live. Both the 2TB and 1TB models come with a pair of HDMI ports, while 750GB model owners will have to make do with one. All three are pegged to burn BD-RE discs at 1x, BD-R at 6x, and BD-R LTH, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-R DL formats.

The estimated street date for, at least, Japan is April 23rd, 2010.

Panasonic's 1st 3D HDTV's get priced and dated

The VIERA TH-P54VT and TH-P50VT2 feature 54- and 50-inch screens respectively. Both plasma TVs are full HD (the first with 3D) and you need to wear Active shutter glasses (63g) to get that 3D experience. Other specs include a (native) contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1, VIERA link, web connectivity, 4 HDMI ports, multiple TV tuners, eco-mode, full range 16×4cm×2 speakers and a 10cm sub-woofer.

Both TVs will go on sale in Japan on April 23. Prices: $5,900 for the VIERA TH-P54VT and $4,800 for the smaller model. The company hasn’t said yet when and for how much the 3D VIERAs will be sold internationally.

PS3 goes 3D this Summer

Through two firmware updates, one for 3D gaming and one for 3D Blu-ray, the PS3 will be able to bring the 3rd dimension into your room.

3D is a major part of our initiatives in 2010 and we're currently developing 3D stereoscopic games to come in conjunction with the launch of Sony's 3D compatible BRAVIA LCD TV in summer 2010. The amazing thing about the PS3's technology is that all PS3 units that exist in homes and markets will be able to play 3D stereoscopic games as well as 3D BD movies through separate firmware upgrades - something that other platforms are unable to do. We'll be announcing actual game titles separately later, but we think that 3D stereoscopic gaming has a ton of potential, particularly in placing consumers within the actual experience.

NEW Acer 23-inch LCD is 3D-ready out of the box!

The Acer GD235HZ is a 23.6-inch, 1080p LCD, designed to work with NVIDIA’s 3D Vision active shutter glasses, which of course don’t come with the display. The NVIDIA kit costs an extra $199 on top of the monitor’s $399 MSRP and require the right graphics card, too. You can order yours at Amazon.

Samsung is first to show off a 240Hz 3D LCD panel

Samsung announced last week, in Korea, the production of the industry first (according to Samsung) 46 and 55" 240Hz LCD panels made for 3D TVs. These will feature a 20% increase in response time offering less than 4ms.

World’s 1st Integrated Full HD 3D Camcorder

After the incredible success of Avatar Panasonic decided that it was time to rock the world in 3D and decided to release the world’s first Full HD 3D Camcorder. Unfortunately only available upon order (Made to order) this camera is also quite expensive, $21000 USD and records video on SDHC cards.

Still this camera is not made for everyone but this first step forward will bring soon other to do the very same…

Easier to Use

Current 3D systems are large-scale setups in which two cameras are fitted to a rig in parallel, or vertically intersect across a half-mirror. Separate recorders are also required. In Panasonic’s new Full HD 3D camcorder, the lenses, camera head, and a dual Memory Card recorder are integrated into a single, lightweight body. The camcorder also incorporates stereoscopic adjustment controls making it easier to use and operate.

The twin-lens system adopted in the camcorder’s optical section allows the convergence point** to be adjusted. Functions for automatically correcting horizontal and vertical displacement are also provided. Conventional 3D camera systems require these adjustments to be made by means of a PC or an external video processor. This new camcorder, however, will automatically recalibrate without any need for external equipment, allowing immediate 3D image capture.

More Flexible

The solid-state memory file-based recording system offers greater flexibility to produce Full HD 3D videos in more challenging shooting environments. The camcorder is lighter weight and smaller than current 3D rigs, while providing the flexibility of handheld-style shooting. Setup and transportation is simplified, making it ideal for sports, documentary and filmmaking projects.

Solid-State Reliability and Workflow

Right and left Full HD video streams of the twin-lens 3D camcorder can be recorded as files on SDHC/SD Memory Cards, ensuring higher reliability than on other tape, optical disc, HDD or other mechanical-based recording systems. This solid-state, no-moving-parts design will help significantly reduce maintenance costs, and the 3D camcorder will be better able to perform in extreme environments and be more resistant to temperature extremes, shock, and vibration.

And users will enjoy a fast, highly-productive file-based workflow, with instant, random access to recorded content; easy plug-in to both Mac and PC-based platforms; and longer recording capacity.

More Affordable

Using a standardized, fully integrated design, the Full HD 3D camcorder will be offered at a much lower price than traditional 3D rigs. Transportation expenses for this handheld unit will be less and faster setup times reduce labor costs. Using standard, re-recordable SDHC/SD Memory Cards available already everywhere, media costs become almost insignificant.

In addition to a camcorder, Panasonic also plans to offer a professional-quality 3D Full HD LCD monitor for field use as well as a professional HD digital AV mixer for live event production. Panasonic will offer professional production equipment to allow video professionals to efficiently create 3D content, so consumers can enjoy 3D video using Panasonic 3D home theater systems.

Panasonic

MSI announces 3D All-In-One PC

It will feature a 23.6-inch 1920 x 1080 WLED Backlight Full HD Screen with a Double Frame rate (120 Hz), and it will come bundled with 3D glasses, wireless keyboard, and a multi-functional wireless mouse that can be used as an IP phone and remote control.

No idea when, where, or how much this will be when it launches.

LG partners with Skylife to become World’s 1st 3D TV Business

LG Electronics (LG) today announced a partnership with Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting (SkyLife). This synergy between the world’s leading 3D TV manu-facturer and one of the biggest 3D content providers will further reinforce LG’s presence in the 3D TV market.

LG Electronics and SkyLife today signed a memorandum of understanding for the strategic partnership to take the lead in the 3D TV industry, working closely together in developing technologies to set industry standards and deploying promotional activities to help expand the market.

LG announced Korea’s first 3D LCD TV in August 2009 and SkyLife will run a second trial of 3D broadcasting in January next year after airing earlier trial 3D content from October.

“LG is the first TV manufacturer in the world to cooperate with a digital satellite broadcaster to map the standards for 3D images ranging from technologies, to devices and broadcasting content,” said Dr. Woo Paik, President and Chief Technology Officer at LG Electronics. “The partnership will focus on developing technology that helps produce 3D images that don’t cause eye strain or dizziness -- an issue that has plagued previous technologies.”

“SkyLife aims to be the top digital satellite 3D broadcaster in Korea. We expect the partnership between LG and SkyLife to propel us to the lead in digital new media. We plan to invest KRW 30 billion (USD 25 million) in creating 3D content in collaboration with LG,” said Mong-ryong Lee, President and CEO at SkyLife.

LG plans to introduce a wide range of 3D TVs ranging in size from 42- to 72-inches next year, following the 47-inch LCD 3D TV (47LH503D) this year. The company also plans to include 3D functionality in its flagship models for next year. The new series features an ultra-slim bezel which is expected to maximize the 3D effect. LG’s 3D technology will also find its way into 150-inch projectors in the coming year.

LG has been committed to bringing active TVs that only require shutter glasses to experience 3D images, as well as the passive models that include a filter over the screen. In addition, LG has developed a chipset to handle various types of 3D broadcast signals and continues to de-velop correcting technology that automatically controls the brightness of overlapped parts on each eye to ensure optimum 3D images.

Both LG and SkyLife have agreed to invest in creating 3D content. Starting with 3D broadcast-ing for the FIS Snowboard World Cup, both will continuously produce or distribute 3D content from sport to educational programs and movies from overseas.

The trial is initially commencing in Korea but LG is aiming to build up a global 3D TV market that includes the US and Europe. LG aims to secure and maintain leadership among 3D TV brands and has aggressive sales targets of 400,000 units in 2010 and 3.4 million units in 2011.

LG expects the 3D TV market to increase sharply as internal global surveys indicate that as many as 58 percent of consumers want to purchase 3D TVs. Up to 75 percent of consumers who have seen 3D images said that they’d like to watch them again. The company also expects strong support from the industry, including 3D broadcasters, 3D Blu-ray players, 3D game con-soles and 3D camcorder manufacturers.

LG will focus on extending the initiative in North America and Europe from 2010 and will launch 3D TVs in South and Central American and Asia from 2011. The market is expected to expand worldwide as the London 2012 Olympics are currently slated to be aired in 3D.

DisplaySearch, the leading source for information on the microdisplay industry, predicts the volume of the 3D TV market to increase sharply to USD 1.1 billion in 2010, USD 2.8 billion in 2011, USD 4.6 billion in 2012, and as much as USD 15.8 billion by 2015.

LG's1st 3D LCD coming out in July!

LG has finally announced its first 3D LCD, the 47-inch 47LH50. It will be up for purchase next month in Korea. It looks like you'll have to were some glasses to get the full effect, still. No word on when this TV will be launched globally or for how much.

Acer to launch a 3D laptop this October!

That's right! We can expect a 15.6-inch Aspire 3D laptop by the end of October. The laptop will run Windows 7 and support native 3D content, while running software that converts 2D content into 3D, too. Sadly, you'll have to wear those bulky, stereoscopic glasses for the full experience.

Thankfully, there is a glasses-free version being worked on. No word on a price or date for that one, though. And there is no price on the one launching in October, yet.