That is not to say that this is always the case, as can be seen with the upcoming Panasonic Viera RT2B – the world’s first all-in-one full HD 3D TV that integrates a built-in Blu-Ray Disc drive as well as a built-in HDD.

Overview

The product itself is still shrouded in some mystery (such as the US release date) making it difficult to get a good take on it. However, there are certainly some amazing aspects of the series that are worth mentioning.

For this new series, Panasonic is set to launch two PDP (Plasma Display Panel) 3D TV combos with the TH-P46RT2B (46-inch) and the TH-P42RT2B (42-inch). The screen panel is an amazing 5m:1 contrast ratio combined with a full black PDP panel is bound to create an incredible picture. The set will come with a pair of Panasonic’s state of the art 3D glasses which, unlike the last television sets they paired with, will work great as this new series comes with 2D to 3D conversion.

Speaking of 3D glasses, the company is also simultaneously releasing 3 new varieties of the lenses, in a small/medium/large format. They all run on li-ion batteries allowing for about 30 hours of use per charge, and each size can output in Full 1080p 3D.

You may be wondering at this point “Mr. Expert, isn’t this what Sony, Toshiba, and Samsung already offer?” And though those big names do not have Panasonic’s glasses, you are right. Those features alone might not enable Panasonic to surpass what Sony alone has already produced.

Luckily, the Viera RT2B goes beyond the normal features.

Along with the usual features of a Viera television, Panasonic is integrating a Blu-Ray Disc drive and an HDD recorder. This all-in-one feature is miniscule compared to the price of buying a television and the recorders separately, and they will undoubtedly have the Panasonic quality we have come to know and love. So now along with watching everything in full HD 1080p 3D, you can record it and watch it later.

Nitpicking

The mystery element of the Viera RT2B not being released yet certainly adds some skepticism to the mix. First, one needs to consider the fact that there has yet to be a US release date put out. Japan gets the screen on August 27th and we don’t know if that is worldwide or solely in Japan.

Also, with this media release it can be almost confidently said that the big companies will be designing some new screens to compete with Panasonic. If they go similar to the first series releases, then Panasonic could be in serious trouble.

There is no word on price of the Viera RT2B, but TechOn reported that the street price the 42″ and 46″ models are ¥390,000 and ¥440,000 (approx US$5,072), respectively. While it is considered reasonable with the case where a 3D TV and a BD/HDD recorder are separately purchased - it is still a television. And five grand for a 3D TV is a slot of money.

Last Word

Overall, it seems like Panasonic has quite an amazing product in store for us. Left unchallenged, it could certainly take over the competitive market for 3D television. Unfortunately for us, there are still many unanswered questions. However, you can expect a proper review of the product once it is released.

Product Description

Experience TV programs, movies, games, and other video content with a 3D stereoscopic effect when you combine your compatible Mitsubishi 3D-ready HDTV with this 3D Starter Pack.

The 3D Starter Pack includes two pair of Active Shutter 3D eyewear, a matching emitter, Mitsubishi's new 3D Adapter to convert and make compatible, various 3D signal types with all legacy and current Mitsubishi 3D-ready TVs, and a Disney® 3D Showcase Blu-ray disc for instant 3D gratification.

The Starter Pack also comes with a Disney Blu-ray Showcase Disc, which includes 3D trailers of A Christmas Carol, Alice In Wonderland, and Toy Story 3 along with an educational short on 3D presented by Disney's Timon and Pumba characters from The Lion King.

Features

• Everything you need to start watching 3D programming on your 3D-ready Mitsubishi HDTV
• Includes 3D Adapter with remote, two pair of Active 3D eyewear with matching emitter, and an HDMI cable
• Disney Blu-ray Showcase Disc with variety of 3D trailers and programming to start you off
• Adapter converts most common types of 3D signals into Mitsubishi compatible 3D signal
• See description for Mitsubishi 3D-ready HDTV compatibility list

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Product Description

Samsung’s new 3D Active Glasses are the gateway to Samsung 3D entertainment. The Samsung 3D Starter Kit allows you and a friend to experience true Samsung 3D entertainment.

The technology works as follows: When you put them on and look at the screen, the technology first blocks the left and then the right lens. It happens faster than the blink of an eye – so your eye won’t notice it. But when images are shown to each eye separately this “staggered” effect achieves far more lifelike 3D images.

Features

• 2 pairs of Samsung - Battery-Operated 3D Glasses
• One 3D Blu-ray movie title "Monsters vs. Aliens"
• Compatible with select 2010 Samsung models: Including C7000, C8000 and C9000 series LED-LCD HDTVs, C750 series LCD HDTV, C7000 and C8000 series plasma HDTVs and BD-C6900 Blu-ray players.
• 3D Shutter glasses enable viewer's 3D experience

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Product Description

3D Viewing at it's finest is available to you with this Sony 3D Bundle. Included are a Sony KDL46HX800 46" Class LED Backlight 3D HDTV with Motionflow PRO 240Hz Technology and 2 Pairs of Sony TDG-BR100B 3D Active Shutter glasses so you and a friend can enjoy fantastic 3D action.

Completing this bundle is a Sony TMRBR100 3D Sync Transmitter to synchronise the frame rate of the TV with the shutter speed of the glasses. Get a new dimension of home entertainment today!

Features

No features available.

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Product Description

There’s only one way to experience 3D when you’re not in a theater. And that’s the Samsung 3D TV. It offers the ultimate immersive viewing experience by liberating content from the flat confines of the TV and turning it into explosive imagery.

The effect is breathtaking – life-enriching, ultra-real picture quality that rivals the cinema – imported into your own living room. Samsung innovation has even made it possible to convert your favorite 2D movies to 3D. Because a Samsung 3D TV demands your attention, no matter what’s on.

What's in the Bundle?
1. Samsung LN46C750 46" 1080p 3D LCD HDTV
2. Samsung 3D Starter Kit SSG-P2100T
3. Samsung BD-C6900 1080p 3D Blu-ray Disc Player

All in all, this 3D bundle has everything one needs in order to enjoy a complete 3D experience without leaving the house.

Features

No features available.

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Appearance

The sleek 55LX6500 model is a simple yet attractive television. The all-black finish makes it a delightful asset to any entertainment center, and its remarkably small depth (barely an inch without the stand, and slightly over a foot with it) allows for easy fitting into smaller living rooms. Moving is easy, as the device only weighs 64 lbs (adding 12 more with the stand for a potential 76.) Simplicity is never a bad thing, and LG has nailed the elegance without any flash.

Features

Unlike other top mark brands, LG does not have a multitude of features. Instead, the LX6500 has a few fine-tuned ones. The LED plus software combined with the 1080p Full HD resolution and the 240Hz TruMotion refresh rate creates one of the best pictures available in this field. Adding even more perfection to the imaging processor is the 8,000,000:1 contrast ratio, making dark scenes more visually appealing and crisper in detail. Fast action images are near-perfectly defined, making LG one of the top contenders when it comes to best picture.

3D is, of course, enabled on this device. Unfortunately, the glasses are sold separately from the television. So until you fork up the extra cash to buy the glasses, your 3D TV is just an HDTV. Regardless, the 3D rendering is of good quality, making the added purchase worth your while.

Speaking of great features that require additional parts, the LX6500 is one of the few televisions that can be wireless. With the purchase of the Wireless Kit, consumers can remove the hassle of arranging the entertainment center around the cable, and instead do whatever they please. All of the features remain available when set to wireless, so it is certainly an option worth utilizing.

Keeping with the trend of other brands, LG has also equipped their line with NetCast, a networking feature allowing internet connection for video viewing with compatible websites (YouTube, Netflix, etc.)

However, a feature unique to LG is the Picture Wizard. This embodies the art of “User-friendly electronics” by allowing the buyer to calibrate the main functions of the television him/herself. By adjusting the television to his/her specific standards, the experience becomes even better without the hassle of complicated instructions.

Downside

What can strike down the 55LX6500 is the lack of an X-Factor. Sony has the XMB, Panasonic the family-oriented Viera line, and Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba all have 2D to 3D conversion processing that will allow viewers to “watch everything in 3D.” Though yes, LG is a slight step up in the User-Friendly department, this far from qualifies as the deciding factor in purchasing a television.

Overall

In all honesty, this television just does not match up to competitors. The $3600 bill does not seem to fit the small variety of features, no matter how well executed they are. The reason people choose one brand over another is the fact that one has the “jump out effect” that instantly awes the consumer. LG can’t do this in my opinion, and while it does have some top-notch quality, the bigger companies (Sony, Samsung, Panasonic) has them beat.

Stepping out onto the ever-raging battlefield that is the electronics market is the new Sony 52” BRAVIA XBR HX909 Series 3D HDTV. Armed with a multitude of features living up to Sony’s prestigious quality, it could be hard finding flaws within its sleek shell.

Appearance

Sony has never had a problem with the look of their products, and this television continues that winning streak. The screen dons an all-black finish, easily fitting in with any living space. Furthermore the black suit looks great on the slender frame, mounting on your wall with less than 3” of depth. Should one choose to use the stand, the depth grows to nearly 16”, though keep in mind 12 of those inches reside solely within the stand. Where the TV may find fault is within it’s weight. Unlike other TVs of its size (and even some larger ones) this model weighs nearly 100 lbs. Even without the stand, the screen sits at a hefty 80lbs; quite heavier than some competitors.

Picture Quality

Fortunately, Sony makes up for its weight in the quality it brings to your living room. Keeping up with the pack, the screen displays in 1080p high definition and manages to exceed the quality of many competitors thanks to the BRAVIA Engine 3 processor. Crisper images and better contrast allows for beautiful picture without as much strain on the eyes. Utilizing all of their artillery, Sony includes the Motionflow PRO technology within the model, amplifying the capture rate of fast-paced action to bring an even more thrilling feel.

Features

Beyond regular television, the XBR HX909 boasts a wide array of extra features to make the price tag even more worth your while. With a pre-installed internet network feature, it is possible to access a plethora of Internet Video websites to display assorted clips on the large screen. Taking network access one step further, one can also link the screen to their personal computers via a home network, allowing for direct streaming from computer to television set. By simply including USB ports, Sony has transformed their television into a TV/PC hybrid, enabling easy access to stored media whenever you want to view it in a higher quality then you are used to.

All of these features are easily accessed through Sony’s Trademark XMB media center. The technology often found in their PlayStation products makes its way to the silver screen. Easy to use and precisely organize, the Xross Media Bar (XMB) delivers the added flair Sony is known for. Their reputation as a high quality competitor in the industry does not fall short in this model, as it is truly a remarkable piece of work.

Downsides

To be honest, it is rather difficult to find fault in the product, but there is definitely fault to be found. One may notice the review thus far has lacked commentary on the 3D aspect of the television. This is simply because the TV can stand on its own without the feature. As with most 3D HDTVs, the 3D quality works out just fine. Even more so, Sony is one of the few 3D television manufacturers (along with Samsung and Toshiba) who utilize direct 2D to 3D conversion processing. This allows viewers to watch everything in 3D. Though not at the quality of intended-for-3D programs, it is still a great feature to have. Unfortunately, you have to purchase the specific 3D glasses separately from the television.

To this reviewer, this does not make sense. The device is advertised as a 3D television, yet purchased alone is instead a well-built HDTV. Well-built or not, it is an HDTV until I spend more money on the glasses designed for this television, so why keep the products separate?

Overall

As was said before, the XBR HX909 is an incredible television. Sony has naturally produced a device of high quality that would be an impressive addition to any living room. However, this can be said about many 3D HDTVs on the competitive market for an even lower price than the $3600 price tag advertised here.

Would purchasing a different television mean sacrificing some of the amazing features a Sony television has to offer? Absolutely. No feature has yet to rival the simple elegance of the XMB center, let alone the user-friendliness of the device.

But can a buyer find a screen of near-equal quality for a slightly smaller chunk of their paycheck? Yes. Personally, I would give the edge to the Samsung UN55C8000 television. A larger screen of seemingly equal quality for a lower price wins my vote. Nevertheless, Sony is still competitive on this market with this TV.

In the end it all comes down to preference to company. Naturally, Sony’s reputation speaks for itself and is as reliable as they come. But another brand would not be the end of the world, and you would certainly be able to buy Sony’s glasses with the money you save.

Product Description

The Panasonic VIERA TC-P58VT25 is a full HD 3D-ready TV that uses advanced 3D technology and a handful of the company's unique features to make it compatible with its 3D Blu-Ray Disc players.

The 58-inch HDTV has full HD 3D 1080p resolution and has the the ability to display images at 60 frames per second. Since it comes with a specially designed pair of 3D glasses, this unit has the ability to show 3D images when used with Panasonic's 3D Full HD Blu-Ray Disc player.

Along with the impressive display quality, the HDTV also has VIERA Link, VIERA CAST to access entertainment websites and VIERA Image Viewer to show digital images on the television screen.

Features

• Full HD 1080p
• SkypeTM Ready
• Wireless Ready

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Product Description

Enter the next dimension of home entertainment with the 55-inch LG 55LX6500 LED Plus LCD HDTV, which delivers 3D technology and a whole lot more. This LCD HDTV with energy-saving LED Plus backlighting features 1080p Full HD resolution for crystal-clear detail and TruMotion 240Hz technology for virtually no motion blur. LG's LED Plus technology improves picture quality and energy efficiency by adding a basic local dimming capability of up to 16 addressable segments.

You'll also bring your content alive with LG's 3D technology, with astonishing effects that will immediately grab your attention and transport you directly into the action (Note: 3D glasses required and sold separately.)

With LG's NetCast, you get access to TV shows, movies and more, streamed directly from the Internet to your television screen. And the LE5400 series also provides compatibility with Wireless 1080p Connectivity (wireless media kit required and sold separately).

Other features include a jaw-dropping 8,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for more stunning colors and deeper blacks, two USB ports for connecting external drives for playing back MP3 audio, JPEG photo and DivX HD video files, stereo speakers with 20 watts of power and Dolby Digital decoding, and four HDMI inputs.

Expert Review

LG 55LX6500 55"

Features

• 3D TV. LED Plus
• NetCast Entertainment Access (Wi-Fi Ready)
• Wireless 1080p Ready
• TruMotion 240Hz

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An increasingly popular format for our viewing pleasure is that of 3D. Rarely can we find a new film not in 3D, and it was only a matter of time before this format moved from the big screen to its smaller relative. Joining the array of new 3D-enabled television sets is the Samsung UN55C8000 55” 3D LED HDTV.

Appearance

The UN55C8000 model continues the trend of sleek looks and thin screens, allowing for more space in your living room and less concern of the product being too heavy.

The screen itself boasts a light weight of about 54 lbs with the stand attached. The stand also makes up for 11” of the 12” depth, meaning that if attached to your wall instead of the stand, the screen will jut out less than an inch. The television comes in a black/titanium color scheme, eliminating the worry of not matching the room it resides in. Not only does the UN55C8000 do its job, it looks good while doing it.

Picture Quality

As can be expected in a Samsung product, this model produces an excellent high definition picture. The 1080p resolution is nicely paired with other picture enhancements such as the Auto Motion Plus, making quick movements sharper for less blur. By turning off the feature during a less active picture, the images will return to their original state, allowing for crisp shots while watching sports and beautiful scenes during film. The contrast of the screen brightens the picture enough to increase the visibility in even the darkest scenes while leaving already-bright scenes alone. Overall the feature is well-liked as it combats the problems faced by natural lighting hitting the screen.

Features

The television itself would make a fantastic benefit to any living room even without the 3D capabilities, let alone what it can do with them. The Samsung 3D glasses are designed for these specific screens, and unlike the plastic glasses you would find at a typical movie theater, these thoroughly better the experience even to a point of surpassing that of the big screen. One can honestly say that this feature adds a whole new perspective to television and film. Certainly a fantastic upgrade to the previous generation.

However, 3D viewing is not the only great feature about the UN55C8000. The addition of the internet to Samsung’s line of television makes for a versatile product. The user can utilize a plethora of applications meant for the screen including a unique YouTube format, stereo-ready music from assorted music website such as Pandora, and access to social networking websites. Should television lose its appeal, a simple switch over to the internet is all it takes.

Samsung continues to make their televisions more and more like computers, installing USB ports into the frame, giving access to pictures, music and videos stored on flash drives and other such devices. Other USB products such as microphones are also enabled through the television, opening up the possibility of Skype conversations to friends and family out of reach.

Overall

In the end, it comes down to the quality of product a buyer is looking for. Fortunately, in the area of 3D televisions it is harder to find a worthy competitor to the Samsung UN55C8000 outside of the Samsung line. The accurately-priced $3,499.99 screen is an asset to anyone’s entertainment system and will without a doubt increase the buyer’s viewing pleasure. With features galore, Samsung certainly outdid themselves by creating an incredible television for an incredible experience.