CEDIA: Sharp launches first 3D TVs, 3D Blu-ray players

Consumer Reports News: September 27, 2010 09:38 AM

The Sharp Aquos LE925-series 3D TV.
Photo: Sharp

Sharp used the occasion of last week's CEDIA trade show to join the 3D party, announcing its first 3D TVs and Blu-ray players. While most 3D TVs, including these Sharps, now include 2D-to-3D conversion circuitry that attempts to create 3D images from regular 2D programs, Sharp says its included 3D glasses can convert 3D content to 2D.

There are two LE925-series 3D Aquos models, which are now available: the 60-inch LC-60LE925UN ($5,300) and 52-inch LC-52LE925UN ($4,200). Both use Sharp's four-color Quattron technology; Sharp says the addition of the yellow color allows more light to pass through the panel, which can produce a brighter image that helps compensate for the dimming effect of wearing 3D glasses. The TVs, which have edge LED backlights, sport a 240Hz frame rate, Sharp's Aquos Net online service with access to streaming movies from Netflix and Vudu. A Wi-Fi adapter is included.

The TVs come with two pairs of active shutter 3D glasses. The ability to convert 3D content to 2D images on the fly by pushing a button on the glasses is certainly unique, and allows one viewer to watch 3D while another sees the program or movie in 2D. A possible use would be to allow some family members to watch a 3D movie, while others could choose to watch it in 2D if they're bothered by 3D, or if the 3D effects might be too intense for younger viewers. Of course, this means that now some viewers are wearing 3D glasses—a big impediment to 3D TV adoption for some—to watch 2D content.

We currently have 14 3D TVs in our HDTV Ratings (available to subscribers), from brands including LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony, and we'll soon be testing Toshiba's first 3D TV. I imagine that we'll be adding a Sharp LE925 to that list shortly.

—James K. Willcox