Samsung Electronics First to Begin Mass Producing 3D TV Panels

The 3D experience is one step closer to "invading" your personal home space. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd announced that it has become the first company to commence mass production of panels for 3D LED TVs and 3D LCD TVs.

“Samsung Electronics aims to lead the global 3D TV panel market in pioneering panel mass production for 3D LED and LCD TVs” said Wonkie Chang, president of the LCD Business at Samsung Electronics.

The company began producing LED and LCD compatible panels for 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch full-HD 3D TVs using ‘3D Active Glasses’ this month, employing Samsung’s exclusive true 240Hz technology. Samsung’s true 240Hz technology delivers full-HD viewing in 2D, and also smooth, natural, full-HD 3D images that can vividly capture rapid movements. Operating at 240 frames per second, Samsung’s panels deliver a more lifelike picture with alternating left and right eye images through the use of 3D Active Glasses technology.

Samsung’s new 3D Active Glasses technology first blocks the left and then right lens, causing a momentary lag when images are shown to each eye to achieve more lifelike 3D images. The term, 3D Active Glasses, was selected as an official term by the Glasses Standardization Working Group of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) earlier this year. The polarized glass method previously used in 3D glasses produced separate images for the left and right eyes, resulting in half the resolution of two-dimensional pictures as only half of the screen can be viewed through each polarized filter. Brightness was also lowered because of the polarized filter.

According to DisplaySearch, a market research firm, the 3D display market is expected to grow from $902 million in 2008 to $22 billion in 2018. Specifically, the 3D TV market is expected to expand to a $17-billion market, with sales increasing from 200,000 units in 2009 to 64 million units 2018. But who knows, that could be a lot more a lot faster. I know I'm dying to get one of those.

BD-P1600 - blu-ray disc player

Back after a loooong absence, here to bring a few things found on the web. Maybe this time I'll manage to keep things going, even if I've started a few projects in the meantime, that had the same faith.

But getting back to our little things, about the BD-P1600 blu-ray disc player. This is one of Samsungs' new models, a sleek and nice one if I may say so. Here are a few of the specifications of this blu-ray player:

• Playback Media: BD / DVD / CD
• Playback Formats: VC-1, MPEG2, H.264
• Netflix-Ready: Instantly stream from a selection of over 12,000 (and growing) movies and TV shows. The number of titles you can stream per month depends on which Netflix subscription plan you choose.
• Video A/V Quality: DVD Upconversion (up to 1080p)
• A/V Quality: Dolby Dital Decoder, DTS Decoder, Dolby Digital Plus Decoder, DTS HD Decoder, Dolby True HD Decoder
• Functional Features: BD Profile 2.0, Secondary audio support
• Connectivity: HDMI CEC, Composite Video Outputs, Component Video Outputs, S-Video Outputs, HDMI Outputs Version 1.3, Optical Digital Audio Outputs,
  Analog Audio Outputs 2ch, WiFi Ethernet
• Functional Features: PiP
• Dimension : 17” x 2.13” x 7.83”
  
• Weight: 4.85 lbs.

The full specs can be found on the Samsung website of course, at the products page, here.

A few things worth mentioning about this blu-ray player are:

• the full high definition 1080p resolution,
• the built-in wireless Ethernet connection - "BD profile 2.0 interactivity lets you download the latest firmware upgrades and more with just a click of a button. Making firmware upgrades simple and easy, you can continually upgrade the BD-P1600 with the latest features"
• Netflix instant streaming ready - "Are you a Netflix member? You no longer have to wait by the mailbox to satisfy your flix fix. Instantly stream from a selection of over 12,000 (and growing) movies and TV shows. The number of titles you can stream per month depends on which Netflix subscription plan you choose."
• BD-Live 2.0 Ready - "Get ready for the ultimate interactive film experience. The SAMSUNG BD-P1600 has lets you take full advantage of interactive features like downloadable video content, ringtones, games and more. Download additional content from the internet or even chat with friends when watching the same movie. Requires additional memory and an internet connection"

Again, for more information regarding the Samsung BD-P1600 blu-ray disc player, there should also be a trademark symbol somewhere in there, visit the product's page above.

Samsung Electronics and Giorgio Armani - Premium LCD Television

From the official Samsung website: Press release

With the occasion of the Milan International Furniture Fair Samsung Electronics and Giorgio Armani, one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world, unveil the new Armani/Samsung premium LCD television, designed for a discriminating consumer, who is seeking a prestige television that combines sophisticated design and leading flat screen technology.

The Armani/Samsung LCD Television is the second product (following the Giorgio Armani - Samsung mobile phone) designed by Giorgio Armani under a strategic marketing alliance announced by the two companies in September, 2007. The alliance foresees the development of a range of prestige portable and home consumer electronics products matching Giorgio Armani’s iconic design aesthetic with Samsung’s cutting-edge technology and leadership in consumer electronics.

Unique design elements include a stylish remote control and a special 4-mode lighted power switch that customizes the display of the two companies’ logos on the front of the television. At rest, the remote mirrors the simple elegance of the television itself. When handled, the unit immediately comes alive with radiant backlights to present a full range of convenient features. The television also comes with a smaller, pebble-shaped remote for basic functions that rests at the corner of the stand.

The unit is further accentuated by glass in the front and shows simple but solid natural lines that convey pure emotional expression. Both models, 46-inch and 52-inch, are to incorporate many of the features and cutting-edge technologically, such as 100Hz Full HD and HDMI connectors, that have made Samsung Televisions world renowned for their outstanding picture quality and high-end functionality.

The design of the Armani/Samsung LCD Television has been inspired by Giorgio Armani's new 2008/09 Armani/Casa home furnishings collection, which includes the Brahms tea table in pleated effect glossy black lacquered wood which has been specifically designed to host the new television.

Giorgio Armani said, "There was once a time when one would want to hide a television as it never failed to disturb the ambience of a living room. Now, through the incredible advance in technology, flat screen televisions can easily be incorporated into the design solution for a home."

Bookeun Yoon, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Division of Samsung Electronics said, “There are more and more consumers today who are increasingly style conscious in their selection of home electronics products. They are looking for products that unite the best contemporary design with technological performance and functionality. This partnership therefore affords us the chance to offer those consumers unique products matching Giorgio Armani's sophisticated, iconic style with Samsung's leading technology."

The 46-inch Armani/Samsung Television, will be launched initially in Europe, Korea and Russia in mid summer . The 52-inch model will be launched in late-summer in the same market.

Sony launches the Bravia F series

It appears that today will be a "display day", since I already posted about LCDs replacing CRTs. And on top of that, it seems like the giant Japanese company, Sony, doesn't take not even a brake. After they have defeated the HD-DVD format and winning supremacy in the high definition world through the Blu-Ray format, Sony launches a jaw dropping series of LCD TVs. Since consumers are pretty picky these days, the new Bravia F series has no intentions of disappointing. And let's face it, they look great. But how do they perform and what do they have that others don't? Well, you can judge that for yourself.

The TV comes in 3 different sizes: 46 (Full HD), 40 (Full HD) and 32 (WXGA) inches, slim frame and glossy look. All of them have a 3000:1 contrast ratio. Apparently there is also an Ethernet port to access the "Application cast" TV specific content ranging from weather to traffic to shopping information. The speakers deliver an output of 10W x 2Ch, the 46 inch model comes with a sub woofer delivering 20 watts. The remote control is rather powerful and works on the 2.4 Ghz band so it does not require line of sight and can be operated from almost any angle even in a large room.

And now the not so good news: the Bravia F series goes on sale in Japan from March 25 with the KDL-32F1 - 32 inch selling for 200,000 Yen ($1850), KDL-40F1 - 42 inch selling for 290,000 Yen ($2680) and KDL-46F1 - 46 inch selling for 460,000 Yen ($4257). So it anyone is interested, you'll have to wait just a little longer.

Sony is sure starting to dominate the media market. Products like the Playstation and the Blu-Ray technology are starting to find their place in more and more houses. We may be witnessing the birth of the next monopolistic corporation. Like we don't have enough of those. Well, at least this one comes through media and entertainment. You can't beat that.