Sony is proud to announce that they have signed a deal with BSkyB broadcasting station and Telgenic Production Company. The deal with allow them to develop the world’s first outside mobile broadcast unit that is capable of capturing live content in 3D. While filming 3D movies is relatively easy, filming live 3D content is a lot trickier. The main problem is that there is no time to clean up any problems. Sony plans to develop the mobile unit so that this problem can be reduced. Naomi Climer, the vice president of Sony Professional Solutions Europe, said that 2010 will be a key year for 3D and that the new mobile unit will be a “milestone” in its development. “3D is gaining momentum in cinema but live 3D represents a bigger challenge than content that you have time to produce. This deal is a big signal from Sky that 3D is here to stay,”

[via 3D Display Info]

Once a week, Robert Silva from About.com picks one device that stands above the rest. This week he chose the Mitsubishi WD-82837 HDTV. This 82” DLP panel includes HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and is 3D Ready. Robert chose the TV because of its big screen and high resolution, which is a perfect combo for Super Bowl Sunday. The connection panel is very flexible, including four HDMI ports, three composite and component inputs, an s-video, antenna, and a USB port as well. In addition, the TV is 3D ready, which means when the 3D content starts to become available, it will be able to display clear, smooth 3D images. The WD-82837 is available through certified retailers and is currently priced at $4999.

[via About]

AU Optronics (AUO) has recently announced that they are working on small and medium sized OLED HDTVs. The company plans to finish the final product by the end of 2010 and then begin mass production of the displays in 2011. OLED displays have been talked about for a while in the TV industry, but only a handful of displays have made their way to the consumer market. The problem with OLED displays is that they are costly to make and would too expensive to appeal to consumers. AUO is actually one of the first companies to develop OLED screen back in 2006.

[via OLED Info]

If OLED displays are expensive to produce, then one has to wonder how much this display cost. Today, Mitsubishi is announcing their biggest screen to date and it uses OLED display technology. The screen measures 149”, diagonally and is the centerpiece of the company’s display at the ISE convention. Mitsubishi constructed the screen by combining ten OLED panels. Each panel features a 1088 x 640 resolution and a light output of 1500 cd/m2. The outcome is a display that is brighter and thinner than your standard LCD display. The combined resolution of the panels gives the HDTV a 1920 x 3264 resolution. The beauty of combining the panels is that OLED does not require any boarders in order to hide components. This means that each OLED screen is truly borderless and can be combined to create a seamless display. There is no word on if this TV will hit the market or if it will continue to be a showcase piece.

[via Tech Watch]

Loewe is Europe’s leading premium manufacturer of LCD HDTVs. Today, the company launched a new in-store promotion. The promotion is for any customer who purchases a 32” HDTV or bigger. They will receive a voucher for up to 40% off any produce from the company’s Rack range. The Rack system is an entertainment center that mounts the TV directly on top. The effect is that the center is actually the TV’s stand. Loewe offers two version of this device, one for movies and one to hold media or game console equipment. The Rack systems come in three colors, including silver, high gloss black, and high gloss white. Prices for the cabinets start at £1225 ($1711).

[via Loewe]

Netflix delivers millions of movies across the USA. However, according to the company’s latest quarter report, the company looks to expand. The announcement came with celebration that Netflix has about 12.3 million subscribers. 48% of that 12.3 million also use the watch instantly feature that allows movies to be streamed via an internet connection. The company announced that in the second half of the year, Netflix will be providing movies to a second unknown country. Many people suspect that it could be either the UK or Canada. To add to the celebration Roku, who has been closely tied with Netflix since they began, has also announced the possibility of selling their set top boxes for free. Roku is currently in negotiations with to work out revenue sharing deals with various subscription and video on-demand services.

[via Engadget]

A few weeks ago, Vizio announced that they signed a deal with Beyonce Knowles-Carter to have her advertise Vizio HDTVs and other products. Today, the company announced that the advertising campaign that involves Mrs. Carter will kick off with a Super Bowl commercial. “Our new partnership with Beyonce along with this substantial presence during CBS’s Super Bowl broadcast, demonstrate that VIZIO isn’t about to take its foot off the throttle,” said Laynie Newsome, VIZIO Co-Founder and V.P. Sales & Marketing. “We may be the #1 LCD HDTV company in America, but we continue to operate with the same passion and ‘challenger-mindset’ that has always driven us.” The 60-second spot is expected to air during the game’s fourth quarter and is directed by three-time Academy Award nominee Wally Pfister, who has a director of photography for “The Dark Knight” and “Batman Begins.”

[via PR Newswire]

Back during the holiday season, the Leichtman Research Group stated that about 50% of the USA consumers owned at least one HDTV. Today a new study was released by ORC that stated nearly two-thirds (62%) now have an HDTV in their home. They also predict that another 12 percent is looking to purchase one within the next two years. This means that nearly three out of four households now have an HDTV. “As movie studios, cable and satellite operators, and broadcast networks offer more and more high definition programming, consumers are responding by upgrading to high-definition televisions,” said Manuel Flores, Vice President and Director of ORC’s Technology Market Insights Practice. “While purchase intention over the next 24 months looks promising, the economy remains a major hurdle to sustainable growth,” he said. “However, manufacturers must continually introduce new products to attract new customers.”

[via Business Wire]

It looks like the UK will get the first 3D broadcasts. Today, Sky announced that they will be screening a football (Soccer for USA) match in 3D this Sunday. The only hitch is that it will only be broadcasting to nine pubs through out the country. Sky also announced that they plan to release the first 3D channel officially in April. The match this weekend will be the Arsenal vs Manchester United. When the 3D channel officially releases, it will be available to any customers who currently own a Sky+HD box.

[via Gizmodo]

In addition to being the world’s first 3D HD display manufacturer, Samsung might also be the company to release the world’s first 3D Blu-ray player. Recently, the company posted onto Amazon that the BD-C6900 player will retail for just under $400. Unfortunately, the company did not release an exact release date yet. The player is designed to be compatible with the 3D Blu-ray standard as well as the ability to work with all Samsung 3D displays. Samsung has not released any of the other features that this player has, so expect a follow up report when they do.

[via 3D Display Info]