Japan Gets First Glasses Free 3D TV

jimmy-google 32 Comments

Glasses have been one of the biggest issues people appear to have with 3D TVs, particularly when it comes to the price of them and the fact most households will require multiple pairs. Toshiba hopes to have the answer with what they are calling the first 3D TV that doesn’t require “special glasses”.

Before you start to worry, this TV doesn’t have some of the limitations of the Nintendo 3DS screen and can be viewed in 3D from any angle. The downside is that they’re not yet of a size to compete with the current range of 3D TVs. Presently 3D TVs start at around 37”, Toshiba’s glasses free screens will initially only be available as 12” or 20” sets. The 20” version (the 20GL1) features a “specially designed HD LED backlit LCD” and apparently offers “around four times the pixels of a standard full HD panel”

The TVs are due for release in Japan at the end of December. There is currently no European release date or price but don’t expect to be playing Killzone 3 or Gran Turismo 5 on one that soon. If you do get the chance you’ll probably need to squint.

Source: PCR

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32 Comments

  1. I wonder what tech is behind these ‘glassless’ 3D TV’s.

    • Yeah, I’d be really interested to see how they’ve done it.

    • From what I’ve read they have a lenticular sheet to create an array of nine overlapping images. You see a different image with each eye and your brain combines these into 3D.
      They use a cell processor to do it too so you could have two cells sitting in your TV cabinet :)

      • I find the fact that a glasses-free 3D Tv is powered by the Cell somewhat amusing given that Sony – the driving force behind cell, if you will – aren’t using it! :)

    • I always feel bad posting a link to another site but there is some additional information on the tech here if anyone’s interested..

      http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104018-PS3-Processor-Powers-New-Glasses-Free-3D-Televisions

    • Its the exact same tech behind the Nintendo 3DS with multiple viewpoints. I have the active glasses and they work great, I didn’t experience any eye-strain.

  2. Huzzah! This has been on the cards for a while now.

    • finally, wont be long until its the size of normal TV’s, I will be waiting for this.

  3. Now this is the news Ive been waiting for, I had seen this via Mashable’s twitter the other day and I’m actually excited for this.
    A 20″ glasses free screen out does a 50″ glasses required screen any day.

    • Having used one with glasses I’m don’t mind which I use. I just want the best quality. I have to wear glasses anyway so I have no issue with the 3D TV ones. Once they drop to about £600 then I’ll get one in an instant.

    • Whoa whoa whoa. Now I’m not saying that bigger is always better, but 50″ versus 20″??

      I would take glasses for the 50″ anyday, why would you want a 20″ screen, it’s so tiny. Even for my computer I use a 24″ screen and I feel it could be a little bigger.

      20″ for a home TV would just be sad.

  4. But with what the extra tech will cost, it will probably cost you more than buying a “standard 3dtv” and the glasses?!!!

    • I’ve been told PC World currently has a 37″ Samsung with 2 pairs of glasses and a 3D blu-ray player for £1000.

      I can’t imagine these new TVs will be anywhere near as “cheap” as that when you get to the same sort of size

      • The 21″ Glasses free is £1800 approx based on a straight currency conversion.

  5. Read the wrong way that last paragraph sounds a bit racist :D
    I don’t get it, surely it would need multiple layers of imaging if I’m on the right side of the tv and your on the left. In that case it would surely distort with each layer ? My mind is boggling, is this nearly holographic ? :S

    • Last paragraph, LMAO! Good spot ……

      • naughty naughty, had to giggle a little though.

      • Glad to see you have your internets back !

  6. Im sorry but im just not bothered about 3D, ive seen it, its ok but i dont see it as the future, but thats just my opinion :)

  7. 12 inch? Parts of my body are bigger than that!

  8. erm no offence…but the prices for these ‘small’ screens are ridiculous! You’ll be waiting an awful long time to get a 40″ one for the price of the 3DTV’s with glasses (which are brilliant and get way to much slack from people who haven’t even used one).

    Apparently the 20″ one is $2,500!! I’ll stick to my glasses 3DTV me thinks until at least 5 years down the line!

  9. Problem with these is the very restricted viewing angles. You only get a clear picture within a 40 degree range and need to sit the right distance from it etc

    • “this TV doesn’t have some of the limitations of the Nintendo 3DS screen and can be viewed in 3D from any angle”

      There’s no mention of the actual tech involved, so you can’t make that assumption just yet, I’d say.

      • Aha! -You’ve assumed he is making an assumption – have a look at my link above. :)

    • I was basing it on the BBC’s article about the same TV. Sorry kevatron400 but TSA is not my only source for information

  10. lets hope the other big electronics companies don’t fill the consumers minds with dissinformation about these screens, so they can continue to sell through there current 3d tv’s which willl die a very quick death when these new toshiba tv’s reach the public awareness.

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