In-home 3D entertainment is the talk of the show, here's why.
by Scott Lowe 
Sony's XBR-LX900
From Sony we saw the introduction of new 3D-capable LED HDTV displays in their Bravia series. Sony made a pretty substantial push with the new Bravia lineup, creating three newl 3D TV series, the XBR-LX900, XBR-HX900, and the KDL-HD800, each of which feature multiple size variations therein. In many ways, Sony is one of the most multifaceted backers of 3D, as they create both 3D content and the hardware necessary to display it through their movie production properties and home electronics divisions. Sony's commitment to 3D was the main focus of their pre-show press conference and a repeated theme throughout their show floor exhibition, with the 3D display demonstrations of gaming, movies, and more.
Similarly, during Samsung's press conference, the company presented a similar content and delivery business model, announcing a series of new LED 3D displays, as well as a new partnership with Dreamworks and Technicolor to create 3D Blu-ray content, optimized for Samsung's 3D TV technology. On the hardware side of things, Samsung introduced three new 3D TV series with the LED-9000, LED-8000, and LED-7000 ranges. Like Sony's XBR-LX900, HX900, and HD800 series, Samsung's LED-9000, LED-8000, and LED-7000 series all incorporate multiple sizes.
Korean manufacturer LG also demonstrated their strides in the arena of 3D display technology with select models in their new Infinia LED HDTV series, new for 2010. Panasonic also updated two range of their Viera display series with the full HD 3D TV V20 and V25 series.
Interestingly, not nearly as much attention has been given to Vizio's 3D TVs debuting at CES, which have been priced at $3,000 or less, with the 47-inch model's MSRP at just $1,999.
Vizio's TrueLED Full HD3D display.
Despite the slew of 3D displays being introduced and shown, there are several key trends amongst most or all of them. Naturally, all of the displays have varying image enhancing filters, contrast ratios, and more, but one major prevailing trend amongst all of the major display manufacturers is wireless connectivity and web-integrated services. Most or all of the 3D TVs on the show floor incorporate wireless or hard-wired networking solutions and feature integrated web content, such as Skype, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, VUDU, and others. In the case of the Vizio line, their 3D-enabled displays also incorporate wireless HDMI connectivity, with additional accessories, of course.
Just about every 3D TV on the show floor also incorporates an LED-backlit LCD display panel, a technology revered for its high fidelity color representation and brightness. Samsung will also be offering 3D-ready displays in plasma and standard LCD variations, but a majority of their 3D hardware was LED.
There is also the question of the 3D technologies at work. While each company and model series has its own 3D processing techniques, it seems that the HDTV industry has almost entirely embraced active shutter 3D technologies. Last year when Sony and others were showing off their 3D prototypes, many were using regular throwaway plastic glasses, but now it seems that things have shifted almost exclusively to the high-performance, high-priced benefits of active shutter systems.
If you're unfamiliar with active shutter 3D technology, it basically breaks down like this: a transmitter integrated into the display sends timing signals to advanced 3D shutter glasses, which synchronize with the display's refresh rate to create two, independent high-definition images for each eye. The result is a clean, crisp, and fluid 3D experience that alleviates many of the common imperfections of standard passive 3D systems, such as inconsistent perception, etc.
One other frustratingly common trend is that the major display manufacturers are keeping tight-lipped about specific release dates and prices regarding their 3D products. Most seem to be promising retail ranges of summer or spring of 2010, however, in the world of electronics, these seasonal ranges are intentionally broad due to the likelihood of production delays.
But despite it all, the question still remains will 3D be appealing for the consumer? Given the sheer volume of new 3D TVs, we've got to think that simply by market saturation the technology will take root to some degree, but can people really justify the premiums attached to the technology. Will you take the three-dimensional dive this year? Or will you wait until the technology evolves further, if at all? Weigh in below.
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