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Re-activateWhile 3D technology may not have been a runaway hit in the electronics world this past year, it's certainly alive and well at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show. Companies are debuting 3D TVs, of course, but with significant improvements in usability over the initial crop we saw in 2010. And 3D is finding its way into other kinds of electronics products as well—including some that may surprise you.
Sony's intriguing 3D camcorders. Amid the company's over two-dozen digital imaging announcements this year, Sony included three innovative camcorders that can record 3D video. Even more fun, each includes a tiny projector embedded on the back of the flip-out LCD, which Sony says can project a 60-inch diagonal image—instant theater for the home videographer.
Sony claims that, unlike other so-called 3D camcorders, it can captures true HD video: It has two lenses and two sensors, as well as more distance between the two lenses, which enhances the 3D effect.
LG's New 3D mobile display. You're probably accustomed to the idea of 3D TV—but what about a 3D display for your smart phone? LG unveiled a prototype display that uses "applied parallax barrier technology," in which a series of light-blocking slits is attached to the front of the LCD panel.
These barriers let your left and right eyes see different images, creating an illusion of depth and a convincing 3D effect. We're not sure when these displays will show up on your mobile device—but that category should get even more interesting when they do.
Toshiba offers 3D TVs three ways, including glasses-free. In its TV offerings this year, Toshiba isn't tethering itself to any one 3D TV technology. Instead, the company is touting active 3D, passive 3D, and glasses-free 3D TV sets. Active 3D requires the use of active-shutter glasses, which some consumers have found uncomfortable and bulky.
The newer passive 3D technology also requires glasses—but they're much lighter and less expensive than active-shutter. And perhaps most exciting, Toshiba is offering demonstrations of its glasses-free 3D prototype televisions in 56-and 65-inch screen sizes for the first time in the U.S. There's still some work to be done in this area, but it's definitely the Holy Grail of 3D TV.
Sony debuts F Series 3D Laptops. 3D is also finding its way onto computers. This year, Sony showed off its new F Series laptops, perfect for portable entertainment.
These 16-inch models show 3D movies and photos in full 1080p high definition; to view in 3D, you'll use the same active-shutter glasses as Sony Bravia 3D TVs require.
The 3D laptops also feature a button that converts 2D HD videos into 3D. And each has a built-in Blu-ray player, as well as an HDMI output for sending movies to a 3D TV.
Panasonic's lightweight, comfortable 3D TV glasses. Finally, back to 3D TV: Panasonic, bucking one of the CES trends toward passive 3D TV technology, remains firmly in the active 3D camp. In its favor are the new lighter-weight, more comfortable active-shutter 3D glasses the company introduced this week. Until we don't need any glasses, these should be a lot more appealing to TV watchers than 2010's heavy glasses.
Check back here for lots more 3D news from CES 2011!
—Carol Mangis
—Carol Mangis
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