Panasonic 3D HD TV

[QualityChimp]

I went to the Grand Designs Live show at the Birmingham NEC yesterday and they had several TV makers there, including Panasonic.

They had several ultra-crisp HD tellies, some were wafer thin (about 1cm thick!), but you could queue up to go into the booth to watch their 3D HD television in action.

It was a massive 100" screen (or thereabouts) and we were all given a pair of 3D glasses.

We watched a non-3D display first to show how good the telly was normally and then watch some 3D footage. They showed some footage of a Grand Prix car racing around the track (including POV stuff), Beijing Olympics opening ceremont and some sporting events, some skiing in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics and then a trailer for Cameron's Avatar.

It was genuinely exciting and I felt I was getting a taste of what future home entertainment will look like.

I was speechless!

[Bada Bing!]

Are they still expecting people to wear those silly glasses? It's not for me until they evolve the tech to the point that you don't need that ****e.

[QualityChimp]

Some people are never happy!

Yes, you need glasses, but I think you'd get used to them.

I'm just wondering how many minutes after the first 3D Blu-ray is released the first 3D grot one is released!

I'm not sure how you can do 3D without the glasses? You can't have tellies like lenticular posters can they?

I'm guessing you want something like Sega's Time Traveler!

[Oldgamingfart]

What about if you're already a spectacles wearer? Hopefully they'll come up with a comfortable solution for those of us who are already blind as a bat!

Anyway, it's an interesting technology, I'd sure like to see it in action. If it takes off, then we'll probably see the likes of Sony doing something with it (games-wise) in the future.

[QualityChimp]

I wore glasses to the show and the 3D ones slipped over the top no problemo.

It was genuinely exciting to see it in action. In the Grand Prix demo, I was actually swaying whilst watching it. I laughed to myself, because it reminded me of those Cine 180 screens where they show car chases that have been sped up!

Panasonic have also developed a 3D camera to work with all this stuff too, making it easier to produce.

Source: Gearcrave.com

Presently, recording a 3D image is somewhat of a chore, requiring the connection of at least two 2D cameras — and what artiste can be bothered with that? Panasonic’s working on an answer with the industry’s first dedicated 3D HD camera. In prototype now, the camera uses two lenses to records separate channels of video on Panasonic’s proprietary P2 card, one for each eye. The result is an easier process for filmmakers, thus encouraging more 3D movie production. Smart move for Panasonic, as it’s working hard on the consumer side as well. You may recall that at CES, the company revealed that its 3D plasma home theater is coming to the US and Japan. Now all they need is for the concept itself to take off.

[Skull Commander]

This may be all snazzy and stuff, but I've just made the step into HD in the last couple of years. No way am I upgrading AGAIN so soon (especially when HD isn't even near the standard yet.

[nakamura]

If you want to see 3D images go outside.

[Lyris]

Panasonic showed me and a handful of others those same clips at their convention in February and again (with AVATAR) at IFA - probably on that exact same prototype Plasma, actually. I wish I was as bowled over as you were, though - for me, the 3D effect is never really that worthwhile.

For video games, though, that's what I really want it for. At IFA, Sony were showing off Wipeout HD in 3D, and wow - that's a "you can't go back" moment. I can take it or leave it for video/movies, though.

[Oldgamingfart]

The camera looks like Wall-E.

[Hodge]

Are they still expecting people to wear those silly glasses? It's not for me until they evolve the tech to the point that you don't need that ****e.

Wait no longer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0aR0XQgn70

[QualityChimp]

Is it only CGI stuff that you can show in that Philips telly?

I think I'd get motion sickness from the constant swaying to look around the screen!

It's interesting that this is obviously what the manufacturers think we all want and are ploughing their research funds into.

[ChrisF]

If you want to see 3D images go outside.

The stuff INSIDE my house is 3D too. You'd be amazed!

It's interesting that this is obviously what the manufacturers think we all want and are ploughing their research funds into.

I think it's more likely that they need an extra selling point for TVs to keep the money coming in.

[Lyris]

3D in cinemas is attractive to movie studios because it helps them usher in digital projection (something the cinemas haven't warmed to before) and get rid of the costs associated with shipping, creating and then destroying 35mm prints. Dreamworks also say they like it because "You can't camcorder a 3D movie" (quoth Jeffrey "give me an Oscar for Pocahontas" Katzenberg).

This is all just the inevitable manufacturer's response to that.

[EvilBoris]

3D in cinemas is attractive to movie studios because it helps them usher in digital projection (something the cinemas haven't warmed to before) and get rid of the costs associated with shipping, creating and then destroying 35mm prints. Dreamworks also say they like it because "You can't camcorder a 3D movie" (quoth Jeffrey "give me an Oscar for Pocahontas" Katzenberg).

This is all just the inevitable manufacturer's response to that.

Polarising filter on lens at 45 degrees. BING! 2D piracy!

[QualityChimp]

If you're near that part of the world, I saw the Panasonic 3D demo booth in the Birmingham Bullring outside Selfridge's on Saturday.

Not sure how long it's there for though.