Panasonic introduces a new low priced 3D TV which receives PC World’s
editor’s choice award.

“Quote from PC World” “The VIERA ST50A: it’s one step down from the VT50A in Panasonic’s plasma hierarchy but comes with a massive reduction in price. The 50-inch model we’re testing here is a mere $1749 RRP, while the 55-inch and 65-inch variants are $2799 and $3999 — cheap by comparison. We’ve even seen the 50-inch model for less than $1300 at some online retailers.”

more from PC World…

The VIERA ST50A isn’t especially thin (or especially attractive) when you compare it to LED TVs like the LG LM9600 or Samsung Series 8, but it’s not bad for a plasma. At around 45mm thick, with a 35mm bezel, it’s much more svelte than the plasmas of yesteryear, although the new Samsung Series 8 plasma is more attractive and thinner. The stand of the ST50A has around 30 degrees of swivel built in, so it’s versatile.

The bottom line is if you haven’t bought a 3D TV yet you’re in luck. Good things come to those who wait! The price for 3DTV”s is trending downward while the feature set and technology improves with each newly released model. Stay tuned for more toprated 3DTV’s reviewed at NowPlaying3D®.
We did not report on too many 3D TV’s in 2010 and 2011 as we felt the market was in it’s infancy and the bugs needed to be worked out of the first generation 3D TV’s. Glasses free with multiple viewing angles? At an affordable price? It will happen…stay tuned.

Panasonic review source: PC World online.

By: Steven D. Ito

Sharp is aimming to be the King of the premium 3D HDTV market. Toms guide reports that on Tuesday Sharp announced that it has shipped the world’s largest 3D HDTV at 90 inches. We reported in Janurary that LG released a 72″ 3D “Smart TV and at that time LG was the record holder.
The newly released Sharp AQUOS LED TV (model LC-90LE745U) is nearly 4 feet tall and almost 6 feet 8 inches wide.

By: Steven D. Ito

Cnet and Akihabara news reports that today Panasonic released two new Viera Series 3D TVs in Japan.

First the WT5 series is available in a 55″ and a 45” model. The Full HD 3D TV comes with a new slim body measuring just 9.8mm thick. A 2.1Ch Speaker as well as a newly developed IPSα 4X Panel with a 800pps resolution designed to offer deeper black. The WT5 series also comes with Panasonic’s new APD Drive technology engine for better 3D videos and reproduction. The WT5 also comes with three TV tuners, USB, HDD, recording and iOS Support.

The ZT5 Series is available in both a 50″ and 65” model and comes with Panasonic’s new “Full Black Panel III Plus.” The new 3D Plasma TV comes with Panasonic’s APDC technology or “Advanced Plasma Display Center” offering a nice 1,700pps resolution.
Panasonic’s new series of 3D TVs are crafted with a unique mix of glass and aluminum for a streamline, unique and luxurious new design. No word on if and when these new sets will hit the states.
Stay tuned we’ll have updates in our 3DTV section.

source: Panasonic, cnet,Akihabara News

By: Steven D. Ito

SEOUL, South Korea — LG Electronics says the competition is heating up in the global battle to woo viewers to 3D TV’s. LG thinks it has an edge with it’s new
Cinema 3D TV which it called the “next generation” in 3D TV’S. LG enlisted the help of popular South Korean movie star Won Bin, who attracted a large group of female fans at a recent LG 3D media event.
LG Electronics and other manufacturers, including South Korean rival Samsung Electronics Co. and Japan’s Sony Corp, are making a big push into 3D TV. All are fighting for first position in the hot emerging 3D marketplace. The 2010 3D TV sales were below expectations but that hasn’t stopped any of the 3D manufacturing giants from introducing new products.
The need for bulky and expensive battery-powered glasses has been seen as a drawback for 3-D TV. Among other negatives in 2010 has been a lack of 3D content. 2011 and beyond, we should start to see a ton of new 3D content. In the US, newly created 24/7 3D programming from recently launched, ESPN 3D, 3Net and Comcast’s new entry just announced, called Xfinity 3D will increase available 3D content. 2D to 3D conversion facilities are working around the clock to convert film titles to the hot new 3D format.
Now if we can just get the TV manufactures to agree on a standard format…active glasses or passive…the battle between the electronic giants continues.
Tune in to NowPlaying3D…we’ll update the 3D TV sector/news as new info comes in.
By: Steven D. Ito

Tom Cruise-narrated “Space Station” documentary among titles added to the lineup.

TORONTO — Giant screen exhibitor Imax Corp. added the Tom Cruise-narrated Space Station documentary to the lineup for its 3D TV joint venture with Sony Corp. and Discovery Communications.

Toronto-based Imax earlier licensed another two 3D library titles, Into The Deep and Galapagos, to the 3D TV channel ahead of its rollout.

In all, six new titles were added to the 3D network’s upcoming slate, including the cowboy bull riding series Bullproof, from Wild Eyes Productions and Digital Revolution Studios, and two shows from Electric Sky Productions, the extreme sports-themed High Octane, and Making the Brand.

Also on tap is Discovery’s Ghost Lab, produced by Paper Route Productions and Go Go Luckey Entertainment, and Sony Pictures’ Open Season, the first animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation that features Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher.

“We continue to move forward aggressively to both create and acquire the most immersive and entertaining 3D programming for television audiences available anywhere,” Tom Cosgrove, president and CEO of the joint venture, said.

LG bring BIG 3DTV to the home

There is only one thing better than 3DTV, and thats a real big 3DTV. Samsung currently had the biggest with their 65 inch 3D LED TV. But now LG have upped the game by announcing a 72-inch monster.

The LZ9700 will officially be the biggest and baddest in the world when it’s launched in early 2011. Customers will need a sizeable room though, the TV comes in at 59″ wide and 40″ tall.

Speaking for LG, HS Paik president said:- “The LZ9700 combines the ultimate in LG’s 3D picture quality with our latest developments in connectivity and smart technology. With the LZ9700, LG is poised to take the lead in the 3D TV market with a clearer, bigger screen that delivers a truly outstanding 3D experience.”

The tv which launches in the year that 3DTV sales are said to double, will also connect up to the web using LG’s smart technologies, allowing viewers to access web content with the contents cube option. Customers get access to YouTube and other web based content, and can wirelessly access files from the home network.

The only downside is that after James Cameron was reported as saying that glasses free 3DTV will take 8 years to materialise.viewers will still need to don a pair of silly specs to get into the 3D viewing experience.