3D TV, like 3D cinema has evolved into something that is very real. Gone are the days of 3D films where images such as sharks teeth seemed to be levitating in mid-air, and instead some real depth perception is being utilised in film. This was showcased in films such as Avatar, and How to train your dragon. The new Toy Story film, is also being filmed in 3D.

To this end, leading manufactures of TVs have developed 3D televisions, which like their cinematic cousins, will show high quality 3D imagery. Here are some of the best available.

Samsung C9000 Series
These televisions are not cheap, the 55″ version costs around £7000, and many sites that sell the TVs will only confirm a figure upon application. What is inside the sleek deisgn? Well the TV has full HD and Freeview HD. It also has interenet connectivity and apps to play BBC iplayer, Youtube, and Lovefilm. Which indicates that app development for TVs is just around the corner. The set’s 3D works on 200 HZ panels, which is the measurement of 3D TV, and the frame is under 8mm thick.

Smaller screen sizes are available in the C9000 range, but you can still expect to pay around £6000.

Panasonic VT20 Series
Costing around the £2250 mark for a 50″ set, Panasonic has used plasma rather than LCD technology. Plasma does not struggle with 3D imagery like LCD, and the plasma sets do seem to be cheaper than their LCD counterparts. This range of sets come with HD, Freeview HD, and Full Sat HD. Wi-fi connectivity is possible with an adaptor, and two pairs of glasses come free with the set. It is also readily available from most retailers.

Samsung 7000 Series
Samsung’s lower spec range of 3D TVs comes with a vastly reduced price tag, not that can that £1800 can be classed as cheap by any stretch of the imagination. For your money you still receive a Full HD set with a Freeview HD tuner. It has wi-fi connectivity too. The set is an unbelievable 28mm thick, and this has presented some connectivity problems, as it cannot accept standard scart leads, and has its own brand of cables. Still, a good 3D set.

Passive and Active Technology
All these sets work on active 3D technology. Here, the glasses are of a higher specification, which should in theory provide a better 3D viewing experience. Active technology works through transferring the image between each eye. The 3D glasses cost around £100.

Passive technology has a red lens for one eye, and a blue lens for the other. These blend each colour to give a 3D image. These are traditional 3D glasses, and normally cost under a fiver. They do not really work with HD.

Sky are planning to launch a 3D channel in the near future, and there can be no doubting that together with internet connectivity, 3D is the future of TV. As with all new technology, televisions of this kind will soon drop to affordable prices.

Pictures and source: 3Dradar

There is an estimated 60 million televisions in the UK (average household has 2.4 TV’s), and according to Ofcom 80% of those are Digital TV’s.

A surge in uptake means the majority of us are now ready for the switch over from analogue taking place in 2012. The statistics come from the Digital TV Progress Report for the 2nd quarter of ’09.

Despite the encouraging figures there are still millions of people who aren’t yet ready for the digital switch over in 2 and a half years time. If you are one who has hasn’t, or you have elderly parents who aren’t aware of the move make sure a digital TV is purchased in time, if you’re looking to buy soon there are lots of great televisions for sale online so have no fear. And maybe even add a good BD gadget into the mix.

Bundle Packages
In the same report Ofcom also found that more of us are choosing to bundle our communication services together from the same supplier. And soon BT will also be bundling services together which means more choice for consumers!

Source: DigitalSpy.

Microsoft, together with some clever chip technology has released the Zune HD.  Though the word ‘Zune’ sounds like a Dr Seuss character, it is actually a new PMP.  The new Zune comes with an impressive array of features, including HD technology powered by NVIDIA’s  Tegra APX 2600 , which Microsoft promises will be able to deliver complex 3D graphics for the platform too.  By all accounts the 480 x 272 OLED display is a great place to watch your favourite TV program, and the touchscreen interface is comparable to an iPhone/iPod.

The Zune is well supported to with an expansion of the Zune marketplace and ecosystems, and applications designed souly for the Zune HD have been developed, and a connnetion to xbox live. Microsoft do appear to be serious about taking on Apple in the media player stakes.

Arguably, the biggest hurdle the Zune will have to jump over to be a contender, is that the iPod is intrinsically linked to iTunes. Both products are very good at what they do, and though the Zune has arguably better visual and graphic capabilities, the music side of things is going be hard to compete with.

To that end, Microsoft has created Zune pass, which in effect works on a subscription basis whereby a listener can download all the music he or she would like. The service costs $14.99 per month in the US, and has a broad appeal to all kinds of music lovers, especially as there are freedownloads available every month. There is also music docking stations available in the Zune product range.

The cost of the Zune HD is $299 (£200) for the base model. There is no confirmed release date or price for the UK, though there are strong roumors it should be fairly soon. Whether the Zune will come with the Zune pass in the UK remains to be seen.

Some Zune HD facts

• Powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra APX 2600 chip, focuses on HD and 3d graphic technology.  This capability does not impact severely on battery life.
• Web browsing capabilities
• 480 x 272 OLED display
• Touchscreen interface
• 16GB or 32 GB memory
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Available with Zune pass in the US.
• Very sleek design

The video shows the Zune’s features.

If Mirosofts new Zune does look like it is up to the job to offer some serious competition to the iPod, but if on release in Europe and the UK, Zune pass is abscent, then their job becomes that much harder. And if you’re using for sport don’t forget your running headphone accessories.

Source: engadget.com

No need for the 3D cinemas (well, sort of) because Channel 4 are set to broadcast 3D shows this Autumn. They are doing it in partnership with Sainsburys, in the supermarkets is where you buy the ColorCode glasses. To the naked eye the program will look (almost) normal, to those with glasses on it will have lots more depth!

One of the shows being aired will be Derren Brown’s ’3D Magic Spectacular’, which should be very good. Others will include; ‘The Greatest Ever 3D Moments’ and rare footage of the Queen’s coronation in 1953. A mix of films will also be shown, as yet though we’re not aware of what they are.

As well as the programs Channel 4 are also hoping to get advertisers involved so the ads are in 3D as well. Normally ads are very annoying but given the creativity of the people who work on them these days it could actually be exciting to watch them.

The technology is really nothing new, and yes it may be a gimmick, but with there being a lot of crap on the TV these days it will get me tuning in. And if nothing else it may give us a sense of what the future will be like when we always watch programs in 3D!

Source: hcc. Image: laffy4k