Google is happy to announce that they have teamed up with Intel and Sony to develop a set-top-box called Google TV. The effort is mainly to extend Google and Intel’s dominance of computing to television. Some of the features that the box will include will be web applications for Twitter, Picasa, and Youtube. To help with the development, the three companies also contacted Logitech to help create some peripheral devices like a remote with a built-in keyboard. Google has high hopes for this set-top-box. Google has not announced yet when Google TV will be available, but it will be integrated into upcoming Sony Blu-ray players and HDTVs.
Panasonic is dead set on making 3D technology a success. Recently, the company announced a new major tour called Touch the Future. This tour will provide guests with an intimate indoor setting so they can see exactly what 3DTVs have to provide. Panasonic is demonstrating the same 3DTV that has recently released through Best Buy. Also on display was an NVIDIA PC that was running through a 3DTV for a monitor. Guests could test out the fast paced racing game to see how the plasma technology handles fast action scenes in 3D. Everyone who has attended the demonstrations so far has enjoyed the quality and versatility of the Panasonic 3DTVs.
3DTVs have been out for a week now and you might be thinking, which technology is best? According to Consumer Reports you’re best picture might very well be with plasma technology. Recently they performed an experiment comparing the new Panasonic plasma 3DTV to a now available Samsung 3DTV and 3D LED HDTV, which is not available yet. The reviewers tested the TVs on both their 3D and 2D performances. They noticed that the plasma technology had several key benefits like a clear crisp screen, while the LCD and LED screen both presented ghost like characters. Also, when the glasses were rotated to simulate a viewer lying down, the LED and LCD screens were completely useless and turned the entire screen black. But, plasma display was still able to present a clear, crisp image.
Earlier this week you may have read about BSkyB purchasing 15000 3DTVs from LG Electronics. Well, today it was revealed that the biggest 3DTV sale to date is not going to happen because Sky is pulling back. Instead of the company directly purchasing the TVs, instead Sky will help LG sell the TVs to the pub owners and have them pay for the TVs. By purchasing the 3DTVs, the pubs will gain access to Sky’s 3D broadcasting station that they intend to launch sometime in April. The question though is are the pub owners willing to spend the thousands of dollars to purchase 3DTVs and enough 3D glasses in order supply all their customers? If pubs in Europe are anything like they are in America, the owners will need a lot of spare glasses for when they get smashed, stepped on, gone missing, or accidentally dropped in a beer.
Last week, Samsung unveiled their 3DTVs and all the equipment needed to watch 3D content. In a recent add that was released from Best Buy, a customer can purchase the Samsung UN55C7000 HDTV for $2969 and the 3D Blu-ray player for $399. However, Best Buy is offering a combined package of the two devices for only $3419. The problem though is that if you add up the two device’s prices it would only cost you about $3370. So what is Best Buy including to raise the price? According to the add, the package will also include a free Samsung 3D Starter Kit that includes DreamWorks’ Monster vs. Aliens movie and two pairs of 3D glasses. Back when Samsung unveiled their kit they didn’t release the exact price. But, Best Buy estimates that the kit’s value is just under $350. Also included in the package is a $150 Geek Squad installation process that has Best Buy’s professionals come in and connect your system for you with out having to worry about anything. In total all the components total for about $3870. This is only about $450 difference instead of the $780 savings that they claim.
BenQ is proud to announce the latest addition for their E Series, the E2420HDB. This model comes with a 24” screen as well as full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. The company has filled these displays with several features, including a widescreen display, Senseye 3 technology, display mode hotkey, and compatibility with Microsoft Windows 7. The Senseye 3 technology increases the screen’s color reproduction as well as the depth. The E2420HDB is able to produce a 50000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 300 nit brightness. To help with gaming, the monitors also come with a 5ms response time. BenQ plans to release the E2420HDB in China only for now and it will release sometime in April. The estimated retail price is $195.
The Toshiba 32RV635DB is one of the company’s many REGZA HDTVs. This model measures 32” and has 1080p HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and a 50000:1 contrast ratio. Today, the writers from Trusted Reviews released their experience with the 32RV635DB. The first thing they notice is the price tag, which is incredibly low for a decent TV. The writers were also happy to see a much bigger contrast ratio and the full HD resolution. The connection panel provided a wide array of connections that the writers could use. It comes with four HDMI ports as well as a composite, component, s-video, PC, antenna, USB, and dual SCART connections. The image quality was not the best compared to other similarly priced rivals. The writer noted that the contrast was grey at times, but it was still able to present a sharp, detailed display. The final verdict that the writers made was, “While the 32RV635DB is fractionally too workmanlike a performer to make it an unreserved recommendation, I can’t for the life of me think where else you could get the same level of performance for anywhere as little cash. So on that basis – its extreme talent relative to the rest of the entry-level 32in LCD world – I really have no choice but to slap a TrustedReviews Recommended badge on it!”
With the release of 3DTVs, one of the problems that is presenting itself is that glasses from one company might not work another. To combat this problem, XpanD has announced a new series of 3D glasses called X103. The company claims that these glasses will be compatible with any 3D capable TV. The company also claims that the glasses will be available in 12 different colors and sizes, since we don’t all have the same sized head. There will also be child’s versions as well. The downside to these universal glasses is that they will likely cost between $125 and $150. However the company has not officially decided on a price yet.
It has been only a week since Panasonic officially released their 3DTV and already the company is announcing that the model is currently out of stock. Maybe it’s the fact that the company only has one model currently available, but Panasonic is still considering this excellent news. Also other TV companies are happy with the announcement because it shows that their investment into 3D technology will not be in vain. The company has not yet stated how many TVs have been sold officially and for some, that number will help solidify their doubts about 3D’s success.
Back at CES, DirecTV announced that they were going to be the first provider to launch a 3D HD channel in the USA. Unfortunately for them, it looks like Comcast will claim that title as they announced today their plans to broadcast the Master’s Tournament in 3D. The event will take place April 7-11 and will be the first live next-generation 3D broadcast of a major sporting event on TV. Why Comcast chose golf to be the first 3D broadcast is not entirely clear. But for the few who will actually have 3DTVs by this time will get the first glimpse of what 3D through the cable connection can provide.
