James Wells from Current.com.au was over at CES chatting to Panasonic’s Aussie MD Paul Reid, when the topic of Australian release dates for Panny’s new 3DTVs came up…
Apparently we can expect to see the first sets land “mid-2010″, starting with a 50-inch plasma and followed by 58-inch and 65-inch panels (but not a 54-inch like the US).
Considering Panasonic were a big partner for the theatrical release of Avatar, I’d say it’s pretty fair to assume the Blu-ray release could coincide with the 3D plasma release. At least, that’s what I’d do if I was Panasonic or Fox. At least, I would if I thought 3D in the home was more than a gimmick…
[Current]
Glenn Fairbairn
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 10:37 AMThe main issue with 3D televisions at home is that if you go out and buy a really big, awesome TV, mate’s are going to want to come around want watch movies/sport on it. That’s fair enough, and I love being a host. But what do you do when you only have two pairs of 3D glasses and 12 of your mates are coming round in to watch the latest 3D flick because “Glenn has a rad new TV!”?
simon
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:08 AMim almost confident, that unless your mates are dole bludgers, and you are the richer dole bludger of the lot who has this new awesome large tv, that your suggestion is probably true.
but unlike the late 90′s where a 68cm tv was the cream of the crop and all your mates wanted to watch the game, everyone now has a tv at least 40 inch or larger… im sure the large threedee tv isnt going to impress anyone but 8 year olds watching pixar threedees!
Salmonpie
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:09 AMAgreed I love the idea and am postponing my upgrade until the release of 3D tv but how can any normal person afford to splash out on all those glasses?
Glenn Fairbairn
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:25 AMI dunno Simon, having mates around to watch sport is still pretty commonplace, despite the ‘plasma revolution’.
The underlying point isnt about having to buy lots of pairs of glasses, its the practicality of needing glasses in the first place. The need for 3D glasses will be the major obstacle in the uptake of 3D TV’s.
Nick Broughall
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:32 AMActually, I think the leading obstacle will be the content – sure, there will be a handful of 3D Blu-ray movies available, but the majority of films will still be in 2D for many years to come. TV broadcasts are another thing altogether – considering how much the FTA networks stuffed around with the switch to digital (and that’s not even switching to HD, which only One HD does well), that leaves Foxtel to drive 3D broadcasting in Australia. And considering they’ve only just launched a selection of HD content, I think it’ll be a while before we see a 3D Foxtel channel.
Which leaves the odd 3D film and perhaps 3D games. That’s not enough to make me want to invest in a new TV (or glasses)…
Indefinite Implosion
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 12:13 PMConsidering the main use I have for my TV is for playing PS3 games, I think it would almost be worth the investment, but I’ll wait ’til the prices come down perhaps.
Although no pricing has been released so who knows…
Anyone know if The World Cup is going to be broadcast here in 3D?
Because that’d make it worth it…
Glenn Fairbairn
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 11:36 AMI guess its the chicken or the egg. People won’t buy 3D tellies if they’re too expensive, and content wont be made if there is no demand. Is the technology required to make 3D tv’s likely to make TV’s significantly more expensive, or are we talking a few percent extra?
Graham
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 12:20 PMAs I understand it, LCD TVs already have a polarising filter and its just a matter of reworking the filter to accommodate polarised 3d so in reality the production cost is probably very little but Im sure we will get stung with a big premium at least initially.
Depending on which way TV manufacturers go, the glasses should cost just a couple of bucks if they go the polarised option (use your reald cinema glasses). I think Sony is going this way in its team-up with RealD for their Bravia screens. Then theres the other method of 3d, with the switched LCD lenses, likely to be much more expensive but higher quality. I think the polarised 3d method cuts the resolution in half whereas switching LCD glasses allows full 1080p. I think I would be content with the cheaper polarised option for only occasional 3d movies myself and that way all my friends can enjoy it as well.
Indefinite Implosion
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 3:52 PMI’m guessing you haven’t really been following CES… at all…
With one or two exceptions, ALL the 3DTV’s that use glasses based tech are going to be using the tech where the glasses are sent an IR signal and every time they refresh one eye is stopped from seeing the screen while the other continues to see it and it then switches every refresh.
Bleh if it has a proper name or if my description sucked, it’s so hot in my office today :(
simon
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 12:41 PMim going to go out on a limb here and assume there will never be a demand for 3D broadcasting in australia. itll be the Wii instance… they didnt release HD console because the HDTV uptake wasnt fast enough in the US, and that makes sense… why would there be 3D broadcasts when 1% of the population can afford a 3D tv… stupid idea.
Im also going to ask the question – is there a standardised format for 3D… there are competitors to reald3d… so who is the winner, will the actually influence uptake and broadcasting standards in 3d?
id like some info on that.
Juice
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 1:43 PMI could see 3D movies become somewhat popular but I agree that 3D FTA will not take in Australia. Even now with a PC and some software you can create 3D on your existing TV and has been available for some time.
Now that there is a strong marketing drive behind it, the idea will either slowly take (predominantly in the U.S) or ultimately fail to take any repudiable market share. Non 3D TV’s will be cheaper throughout 2010 thus creating a higher market share in that sector. Moviephiles may take the jump to these new sets and Mr IhaveToHaveItAll will get one of these regardless.
6-12 months from the release of 3D HDTV’s will prove everything here being said.