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It's come to light sooner than I would have expected, but XpanD has already manufactured a pair of active shutter 3D glasses that the company claims will work with "almost all" 3D-ready TVs coming to market.
Every manufacturer uses a specific linked system for supporting 3D content between display ad glasses, which means that each display requires a set of glasses that are compatible with it. Think of video game systems as a similar category: to play with the Wii, you need a Wii controller; and a Sony PlayStation controller won't work with the Xbox 360 console, or vice versa.
However, XpanD's new X103 glasses will reportedly work with a large number of 3D-ready TVs and monitors across a variety of manufacturers.
"While major television manufacturers are beginning to roll out their first 3D-ready television models, a key to widespread adoption lies in the ability for consumers to use their 3D glasses with any display that is capable of showing 3D content," says Maria Costeira, CEO of XpanD.
Available in 12 colours, the spectacles use a fast-switching, liquid crystal cell known as a "pi-cell" to provide the depth perception when watching 3D video.
"While we support TV manufacturers by manufacturing glasses for them," adds Ami Dror, Chief Strategy Officer, "we are also requested by the same manufacturers to sell universal active glasses that will work with all the modern 3D TVs."
Dror also notes an obvious concern for retailers, citing that they "cannot maintain 15 different models of glasses to support 15 different TV brands. Rental AV companies cannot do it," he continues, "and even 3D broadcasters ask for a universal pair of glasses that they can provide their 3D channel subscribers."
The X103 glasses are scheduled to be available by June, and will run for about US$125-US$150.
Kudos to XpanD for coming to market so quickly with this initiative. As Costeira points out, the glasses have been a thorn in retailers, not to mention consumers', side since 3D became the "next hot thing." Sure, we still need to wear glasses; but at least now you can safely take your pair out to a friend's house to catch the game on his TV in full 3D glory.
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4 comments »
richk April 15, 2010, 20:19 pm
As with all new technologies, the price needs to come down. My 1 year old would rip those off my face or dig them out of wherever I hid them and destroy them. They can't cost $150 and at least 2 pairs should come with a 3D TV.
fatcow March 17, 2010, 19:21 pm
Yes and no at the same time. As long the manufacturer is using the same method (which is mostly frame sequential) and running at the same refresh rate (be it 120 Hz, 144 Hz or 240 Hz), then the glasses will work. Also if you use a (say) Sony 240 Hz frame sequential glasses, it will work in backward compatibility mode (say) LG 120 Hz TVs, but not the other way round. Essentially, the XpanD goggles uses the same controller chip without any of the modes disabled.
ChristinePersaud March 17, 2010, 13:18 pm
Hi fatcow Yes, indeed XpanD provides many manufacturers with their glasses. However, as it stands, typically glasses are proprietary to the TV manufacturer. So you might not be able to use Sony glasses with a Panasonic 3D-ready TV, for example, or a pair of Samsung's with a Toshiba. These glasses claim to be "universal" such that they can work with most 3D-ready TVs, regardless of brand.
fatcow March 17, 2010, 02:09 am
My apology for being negative all the time but XpanD have been supplying Panasonic (amongst other major companies) with their 3D Active Shutter glasses since mid-2008. So where is the news?
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