THE FINAL DIMENSION

A unit of the Sony Bravia 3D LCD TV,displayed by the company in New Delhi,gave a peak into the things to come. The demo of 3D effects was spectacular,promising to take home entertainment to the next level by adding another dimension to existing 2D images. The technology is definitely going to revolutionise home viewing,provided you can afford it. In fact,the 3D videos have almost the same ‘wow’ factor on LCD as in the movie theatre,except that it is not as grand in scale.

To view 3D content,one has to first activate the 3D transmitter on the TV by pushing a button and initiate the active shutter glasses by pushing a tiny button on its side frame. Wear the 3D glasses — which look like average sunglasses — and the fun begins. The glasses are battery operated and use infra-red to communicate with the transmitter. They receive images from the TV and send them to our right and left eyes separately to create stereoscopic images,and,thus,the magic.
If anything comes between the TV and the glasses,the 3D effect gets interrupted,but resumes automatically once the obstruction is gone.

A company representative said some Bravia 3D LCD TVs will be able to convert 2D content from TV and DVDs to 3D,though the effect may not match up to original 3D content. A pair of 3D glasses would come bundled with the TV,but buyers will have to pay for additional sets. Thankfully,Sony 3D glasses are large enough to accommodate regular specs for those who use them. However,it does get bulky and one begins to sense restricted vision after a while.
Initially,the shortage of 3D content is expected to put off many buyers. The Sony India representative admitted this,but said the company was hopeful.

It is expected that 3D broadcasts will start next year,till then the company is aparently looking at the gaming segment to see sales through. “When we launch the PlayStation-3 with 3D function,it will be able to download (content) through the Internet. The present PS3 doesn’t have 3D playability. So when we launch the 3D TV,software will be available along with PS3 upgradation,” said Masaru Tamagawa,MD,Sony India.

Sony,one of the official sponsors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,will also utilise the event to popularise the new technology,he added. “We plan to shoot the FIFA World Cup with 3D cameras and show Indian consumers how they can enjoy sports on the new format,” he said,adding the company is also looking at 3D content on the Blu-ray format.
Sony Bravia 3D TVs will be launched in 40”,46”,52” and 60” sizes.

THE OTHERS
Samsung has begun selling the UN55C7000 (above),its first 3D ready TV,in the US this February. It hasn’t yet announced its plans for the Indian market.
LG Electronics India is already airing advertisements for its Infinia 3D LED TV featuring Akshay Kumar.
Panasonic,according to some media reports,has started selling its 3D TVs in many countries this month.
TCL,the Chinese manufacturer,has developed a 42-inch LCD 3D TV called the TD-42F,which is currently available in China. This model uses a lenticular system and does not require any special glasses. It currently sells for approximately $20,000.