Sony pledges 'affordable' 3D TV experience
But keeps mum about the price
Sony today pledged to make viewing this summer's World Cup in 3D "more affordable", momentarily forgetting that - so far - no one is broadcasting the matches in more than two dimensions here.
It also set out its 3D stall, promising not only screens but also Blu-ray Disc players and PS3 games that can take advantage of the technology.
The PS3 games will be given to Sony 3D TV buyers through the PlayStation Network and will include stereoscopic versions of Wipeout HD and Super Stardust HD. It also touted 3D versions of Pain and MotorStorm Pacific Rift, but a look at the small-print reveals that it's only giving away demos.
Sony's Bravia KDL-46HX803: 'affordable' 3D TV, apparently
Buy a 3D BD player and you may receive a copy of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Deep Sea in 3D.
All of these goodies will be made available early June, Sony said.
'Affordable' was a word the company applied to its active-shutter glasses but particularly to its 40in and 46in 1080p Bravia HX803 LCD TV. That said, it did say how much the set costs, and when we checked this morning, the Sony website likewise had no pricing information.
Given the HX803's size options, and the fact that it offers 200Hz motion interpolation, 2D-to-3D conversion, LED backlighting and a Freeview HD tuner, it won't be cheap, we reckon.
Indeed, it will be a few years, some say, before 3D TVs become low cost. ®
COMMENTS
Said it before, will say it again,...
3D will be a gimmick as long as the experience is not immersive. With games and other technology, we are used to interacting; until the 3d experience matches this, it will fall short in the public consciousness.
OK
Time to dispel that Sony is really a Samsung myth again. Whilst Sony we're in a joint venture with Samsung for the panel substrate, the colour filters, backlight, panel drivers and image processing are all Sony. They're now working with Sharp on the panel.
Having watched the Man U v. Chelsea in 3D in the pub on a LG polarising system it really was impressive and added to the game. It was far from a gimmick. The active shutter system is even better which I also saw at the Gadget Show.
I'm with Blimey, a 40LX903 including 2 pairs of glasses for £2k, which is cheaper than the first 1080P set I bought, plus my PS3 and Sky HD only requiring a firmware upgrade I'm looking forward to it.
If Sony's TV are so good
How come they really on Samsung to make their panels.
What your really saying is look how good those Smasung panels work in the overly espensive Sony plastic box, designed for people to stupid to releiase that Sony is on a shell of its form 80's glroy days, when it made everything it sold and was a quality prosduct.
Mines the one with a Samsung telly in the pocket and an extra £300 to spend in ther other pocket
Pricing?
Let's face it, Sony's affordable is somewhere between a months and a years wages...
ow my brain/eyes/wallet!
I got up close and personal with several 3D TVs at the recent Gadget Show Live. Yes, it's quite impressive. But most manufactures are going with the active shutter system. To me, I could just perceive the flicker of the glasses and after watching some demos (Sony was playing 3D videos via a PS3 btw, Wipeout and Motorstorm looked awesome!) after only a minute or so, my eyes/brain hurt!!
Not to mention so would your wallet. £100 for a paid of active shutter glasses!! So if you've a family of 4 and invite another couple over, that's £600 just in glasses. And how many pairs do you reckon you'll sit on/the dog will chew/drop in a pint glass over the year?!
LG were the only one with a passive (polarised) display. Much more eye friendly but only 720p (oh diddums, looked good enough to me and my eyesight is top notch).
Passive or not at all for me
