Toshiba have beaten their closest rivals and used the IFA Consumer Electronics Show in Berlin to unveil the world’s first 3DTV for consumers that doesn’t need glasses. It carrys the name of 55ZL2. The company say it will go on sale in December 2011 in Germany. Read further down the page for more details.
With Direct TV planning to offer even more channels in 3D in the near future, a glasses-free TV could be a fantastic investment for those interested in sporting events or hosting Super Bowl parties.
Toshiba 55ZL2 image.
The TV has a diagonal screen size of 55inches, and is capable of 4x the quality of the existing Toshiba full high-definition TVs. This is what they call a ‘Quad Full HD screen’, this is described in the press release as “a 3D TV experience that can be enjoyed by a large group of viewers and displays 2D contents in four times (Quad) Full HD resolution”. The company claims it will have 9 perspectives, using face tracking to know where individuals are sitting.
Want to know more details? Well it is powered by the multi-processor platform CEVO-ENGINE. It has an Auto Calibration feature. It is a 16:9 LCD panel, with LED backlight. ‘Personnel TV’ with profiles for 4 users. Tuner for DVB-T, DVB -T2, DVB-C, and DVB-S/S2. SMART-TV: Access to Toshiba Places, with built-in wireless interface, compatibility with Windows7, USB capture to external HDD, and Toshiba apps Connect HbbTV.
Many people are somewhat put off by the need to wear glasses to enjoy existing 3D televisions, and the cost involved with having to buy multiple pairs if you want to enjoy the big screen with your buddies. This new release may cause some to wait for the market to continue to develop before buying their first 3DTV. Given the probable high price of this particular product most will not be able to afford this actual set, but it will show what is on the way and encourage some to hold out.
At the time of writing we are unaware of what the price will be in the UK, we expect many thousands of pounds though. The initial release date of December 2011 is for Germany, other regions have not yet been confirmed.
Will you be buying this TV, or waiting for competitors to release their own glasses-free screens?
Source for info and image: press release
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