Toshiba shows 3DTV without glasses

[Mojo Jojo]

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11467352:

4 October 2010 Last updated at 07:47 ET Toshiba show 3DTV without glasses

The firm unveiled the sets at the Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo
Toshiba has launched what it claims are the first 3D television sets that do not require special glasses.
The two sets are able to create 3D effects in real time from standard film and television pictures.
The televisions use a special lenticular sheet to create an array of nine overlapping images.
A viewer sees different images with each eye, creating the illusion of a 3D picture.
The system is similar to that used in the Nintendo 3DS handheld console.

Both Toshiba televisions use the Cell processor - originally designed for the PlayStation 3 - to process the pictures.
Masaaki Oosumi, president of Toshiba Visual Products said it was "obviously more natural to watch TV without glasses".
However, the technology requires a person to be sat in an optimal position to see clear 3D images.
The electronics giant suggests a person sits 90cm (35in) from its 20in set and 65cm (25in) from the 12in screen. The picture is also best viewed with a 40-degree "sweet spot" in front of the set.
These limitations are why most manufacturers - including Sony, Samsung and Panasonic - use glasses to generate 3D effects.
These rely on images for each eye being broadcast one after the other in rapid succession.
Filters in the glasses flash on and off in sync with the picture, filtering the correct image to each eye. The brain recombines the image into a 3D picture.
3D TV is still in its infancy, but broadcasters are already ramping up efforts to provide content in the UK.
Last week, Sky launched Europe's first dedicated 3D television channel, whilst Virgin has launched a 3D movie channel.
Toshiba said the smaller version of its new sets will cost about 120,000 yen ($1,400), and the larger one will be double the price. It is also working on a larger 56 inch model.
It said it hoped to sell 1,000 units a month but currently has no plans to sell the sets abroad.
They were unveiled at the Ceatec electronics show in Tokyo, Japan.

 

[Mojo Jojo]

From cnet (Toshiba shows off glasses-free 3D TVs | The Digital Home - CNET News

October 4, 2010 10:23 AM PDT
Toshiba shows off glasses-free 3D TVs

Toshiba Regza 20GL1 3D TV.
(Credit: Toshiba)


Read more: Toshiba shows off glasses-free 3D TVs | The Digital Home - CNET News
by Don Reisinger

Toshiba unveiled two 3D TVs today that work without special glasses.
The Regza 20GL1 is a 20-inch flat-panel display with 1,280x720 resolution. The Regza 12GL1 is a 12-inch flat-panel display with 466x350 resolution. Toshiba unveiled the models to coincide with this week's Ceatec electronics show near Tokyo.
Toshiba said that its 3D technology, which is currently best-suited for small displays, provides "nine different perspectives of each single 2D frame." The company added that those perspectives are then "superimposed" by the viewer's brain "to create a three-dimensional impression of the image."
The 3D effect is available within a 40-degree area in front of the set, Toshiba said. According to the Associated Press, viewers must also sit two feet from the 12-inch LCD and three feet from the 20-inch LCD to view 3D content.
The new LCDs are "first step into the 3D future in the consumer home cinema market," Toshiba European marketing chief Sascha Lange said in a statement. "But it will take several years to develop larger 3D TVs without glasses with screen sizes of 40 inches and more at a yet reasonable price point."
The possibility of viewing 3D content sans glasses is something that many consumers will welcome, though.
Last month, a survey about 3D TVs showed that 30 percent of people don't like the need to wear special glasses to view 3D content.
Although Toshiba is trying to make its name in the glasses-free arena, the company is already a player in the 3D TV market. It currently sells the WX800 line of 3D TVs. Both the 46- and 55-inch models of the WX800 require glasses.
Toshiba's 20GL1 and 12GL1, which switch from 3D to 2D mode, are scheduled to be released in Japan later this year. They will retail for about $2,900 and $1,400, respectively. The company has not announced plans for availability outside of Japan.


Read more: Toshiba shows off glasses-free 3D TVs | The Digital Home - CNET News​

Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

Read more: Toshiba shows off glasses-free 3D TVs | The Digital Home - CNET News​

 

[TheForce]

Instead of glasses a pair of these come with the Toshiba Glasses Free TV.

 

[mike123abc]

It looks like it would be more suited for a computer monitor than general TV because of the limited viewing angle. Perhaps they will improve the viewing angle in the future.

I would consider a glasses free 3D computer monitor.

 

[lakebum431]

This is the first step, but still a LOOOOONG way to go. I hate to repeat myself, but I will not watch 3D at home until it is glasses free and I don't have to have one seat in the house that it works for (viewing angle problems). I may someday buy a 3D TV that doesn't meet these requirements, but only because that is all that is offered...

 

[navychop]

Dud. I'll bet the Hula Hoop will have had a larger following.

 

[TheForce]

The glasses free 3D TV I saw demoed at CES was so awful it gave me a headache in just a few minutes. I had to walk away from them. I saw two different brands and both were painful to watch.

Since I plan to get a flat panel, most likely the latest Samsung ultra thin 55" LED sometime next year as prices drop, I'll just go with a 3D model when I do. I don't mind the glasses and my wife has now tested and doesn't mind them either. BUT, for me the big issue is still content. I really want to see more content before before I make a move on this.

 

[dfergie]

Yeah the glasses free sets did not cut it at CES...

 

[mike123abc]

The only tech that I have seen that I like is the LG projector, but is still too pricey. It runs $15k, but it uses the same tech as the theaters, so you only need circular polarized glasses, not active shutter. So, you could just go see a few 3D movies at the theater to stock up on glasses.

I really do not mind using the theater glasses.

That being said, I do not like 3D movies that are 3D to just be 3D and do it cheaply so look really bad. Avatar was a good movie in 3D. In fact, it is the only one that I have thought was good in 3D.

 

[TheForce]

Mike- the double DLP projector was impressive. I saw it at CES but thought they said the price point was to be $10,000. Guess that changed. One additional thing you'll need to buy is a special screen for the 3D programs too. It won't work on the screens we now have for 2D projection. Personally, I'll be looking at the active LCD glasses projectors. These are said to be much lower in price, don't require special screens but do require expensive active glasses.

 

[Ramy]

This is the first step, but still a LOOOOONG way to go. I hate to repeat myself, but I will not watch 3D at home until it is glasses free and I don't have to have one seat in the house that it works for (viewing angle problems). I may someday buy a 3D TV that doesn't meet these requirements, but only because that is all that is offered...

Yes it does have a long way to go if they are only making a 20" version where only one person can watch at a time.

 

[mike123abc]

Mike- the double DLP projector was impressive. I saw it at CES but thought they said the price point was to be $10,000. Guess that changed. One additional thing you'll need to buy is a special screen for the 3D programs too. It won't work on the screens we now have for 2D projection. Personally, I'll be looking at the active LCD glasses projectors. These are said to be much lower in price, don't require special screens but do require expensive active glasses.

Yes they require a silver screen like in movie theaters. There is an issue with grain since the aluminum particles are not very fine. You do not notice in a theater since you do not normally sit less than 15 feet from the screen. They are working on this of course, probably have finer aluminum particle screens soon.

The active LCD glasses solutions have issues with ghosting and motion blur. There is also a huge drop off in light since one eye is always closed cutting projector light by 50% combined with polarization leading to up to 85% light reduction.

Essentially I will probably wait another year (or two) before considering upgrading a projector to 3D.

 

[TheForce]

Essentially I will probably wait another year (or two) before considering upgrading a projector to 3D.

I'm at least that far away so it gives them plenty of time to develop the technology and lower the price. I just bought a new PJ last January. I'll have the flat panel to ride on the wall behind my present roll up screen sometime next year. Really waiting to see more content.