And so it begins… Samsung releases 3D TVs

CES 2010 featured the latest and hottest new gadgets. One of the more popular trends was the rise of the 3D television. Samsung has officially kick-started its first LCD 3D TV for mass production.

Reviews have come pouring in, and the reviews are mainly positive. Reports say that the 2D-to-3D technology is rather picky. Sports, for example, look great when converted, but other things like news casts are rather awkward to watch in 3D. Prices are still quite high, but analysts predict that “consumer models” should start pouring in as soon as these initial models begin attracting more and more attention.

Follow the source link for a video explaining some of the main features of the TV.

Source: Engadget

Story from CNN, time to save some money XD

3-D video gaming is coming, but at what cost?
By Larry Frum, Special to CNN
May 5, 2010 — Updated 1448 GMT (2248 HKT)

(CNN) — After the rush by audiences to Hollywood 3-D blockbusters “Avatar” and “Alice in Wonderland,” game designers and developers are hoping to strike gold with 3-D gaming.

Today’s best games, already immersive experiences thanks to large-screen TVs and sophisticated graphics, could become even more intense in three dimensions — imagine “God of War III” in full, bloody 3-D glory. So far, however, the video gaming industry has proceeded cautiously.

The big three console makers are taking different routes to 3-D. Sony has already pushed out software changes to allow games in 3-D on its PlayStation 3 system. Microsoft said it also can do 3-D on the Xbox 360 but prefers to wait, while Nintendo, maker of the Wii, is going small with its 3-D gaming plans.

Panasonic and Samsung recently introduced home 3-D television systems, and Sony is prepared to issue its own 3-D TV models next month. Other TV manufacturers are close behind.

Video: 3-D TV in your living room Video

Computer manufacturers also are making the technical adjustments to show games in three dimensions, but those changes will come with a significant price — and with many questions.

Digital graphics maker NVIDIA has developed technology that renders an image twice on computer monitors and requires shuttered eyeglasses to produce it in 3-D inside the user’s brain. Phil Eisler, an NVIDIA general manager, said the company is taking advantage of work already done by gaming developers.

“They do all the work to make games in 3-D, but then render them flat,” he said. “We can portray the games the way they should be.”

Gaming software for 3-D play shows the action from two slightly different angles. The active-shutter glasses alternately open and close to give the eyes different views and allow the brain to put the images together in what appears to be three dimensions. Eisler said the glasses refresh at a rate of 60 hertz for each eye, with a scroll wheel that allows the user to adjust the depth of vision for the game.

“It is like hyper-stereo,” he said. “For first-person shooter games, this kind of depth could be invaluable.”

Games coming in 3-D

Patrick Bach, senior producer at game developer DICE, said whether it is this technology or another, gaming is headed for 3-D soon. DICE and its owner, Electronic Arts, will be upgrading their new game, “Battlefield: Bad Company 2,” into a 3-D game with a patch.

“Special hardware will be a hurdle. But we want people to experience the game in 3-D,” Bach said. “We wouldn’t add this if it didn’t add to the game.”

Eisler said developers don’t have to do anything extra to make their games work in three dimensions. The “NVIDIA 3D Vision” process automatically transforms nearly 400 PC games into full stereoscopic 3-D right out of the box, without the need for special game patches, he said.

But he said many companies are going the extra step to make their titles look better in 3-D by adding such enhancements as out-of-screen effects and showing in-game movies and backgrounds in 3-D.

“In ‘Bad Company 2′, for example, they have rendered all their cut scenes in 3-D as well,” Eisler said. “They have done a stellar job with their game.”

Get ready to pay

While games might be ready for 3-D, gaming hardware likely is not. And upgrades aren’t cheap.

To display 3-D images, computer monitors will need to refresh at a rate of 120 hertz, slightly higher than current models. Several manufacturers are producing 3-D-ready monitors in high definition and non-high def, but those can cost $500 to $600.

Eisler said a mid- to high-end video card (from $150 to $300) also will be needed to handle the extra rendering load. And don’t forget the shutter glasses that connect to the computer via an infrared beam (an extra $200).

Of course, gaming in three dimensions won’t be limited to the computer.

Sony announced that a software upgrade will be pushed out to its PlayStation 3 consoles to allow for 3-D action using 3-D-ready televisions. The console already has the necessary processor and connection capabilities to show games in 3-D, and all PS3s sold since 2006 will support the upgrade.

But no 3-D games were available for the PS3 system at the time of the software release.

What that means is even if you have all the hardware (3-D TV, shutter glasses) and software to play games in 3-D, the game must also be designed to be played in 3-D for the effects to show up. These 3-D ready games are expected before the end of 2010.

Nintendo is expected to unveil its newest handheld console, the Nintendo 3DS, at the E3 gaming convention in mid-June. The company said the portable device will produce 3-D effects without the need for any special glasses.

Microsoft has not announced any plans for 3-D gaming, choosing to focus instead on its upcoming system, code-named Project Natal, which will allow players to control their in-game avatars by moving their arms and legs. The Project Natal system is expected to hit the market by the end of the year.

3-D and health concerns

Microsoft said its Xbox 360 is 3-D-ready but has questioned gamers’ level of interest in 3-D and would prefer to wait and see how the new technology will be received.

For example, it’s not clear whether gamers or TV watchers will want to spend long hours staring at screens through shutter glasses.

Some moviegoers who wore the glasses during 3-D screenings of “Avatar” reported suffering dizziness, headaches and nausea. The shutter glasses’ technology is so new that researchers have not done studies on the effects of watching screens for long periods.

Can 3-D movies, TV make you sick?

Samsung recently issued a statement warning kids under 6, pregnant women, the elderly and anyone who is sleep deprived or under the influence of alcohol from watching 3-D, which the company said could cause headaches and eye fatigue. The statement also recommended that viewers take frequent breaks — a drawback for hard-core gamers.

iReport: Do health warnings about watching 3-D concern you? Tell us.

Does 3-D gaming have a future?

Gamers so far are taking a wait-and-see approach to 3-D technology for gaming. The expected high costs are keeping some away, while limitations on gameplay have others concerned, according to the chatter on gaming-site message boards.

“The idea sounds cool, but I’m not sure it’s enough to spend another thousand dollars on a nice ’3D compatible’ TV,” wrote a user named joeborg14 on Gamespot. “Not to mention wearing those gorgeous glasses. And what about split screen? That’s gonna throw a wrench in the whole deal.”

As more games and movies are shown in 3-D, as 3-D TVs begin to appear in homes and as costs come down, 3-D gaming may eventually go mainstream. And as technology continues to improve, people may even be able to experience 3-D entertainment in their homes without special glasses.

But the real measuring stick for the video game industry will be the quality of the 3-D gaming experience itself, and whether consumers feel like games in three dimensions are worth the time and expense.

Otherwise, 3-D equipment may fade into obscurity as quickly as the Atari Jaguar console did in the 1990s.

Reference: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/05/05/3d.gaming.future/index.html

Rapidly Advancing Edge-Type LED BLU Technology – Reduced Number of LED Bar
Displaybank Market Insight

Introduction: 3D LED LCD TV in Analyst’s Perspective

New 3D LED LCD TV products are launched one after another. In 2009, the word, “LED”, was added to LCD TV products with LED backlight and they were called LED (backlit) LCD TV (or LED TV). This year, word “3D” is added and the products are called 3D LED LCD TV (there is also 3D CCFL LCD TV). Differentiations mean premium products. These products ask for higher prices since they have added functions through differentiations.

Samsung Electronics’ 55″ 3D LED LCD TV (C7000 Series) is currently traded around KRW 4 million in Korea. 55″ LED LCD TV (C6500 Series) which excludes 3D functions is traded around KRW 3.5 million. After all, the current premium of 3D appears to be about KRW 500,000. With this KRW 500,000 price premium, following questions are asked to tentative purchasers (in addition, the premium for 46″ product is about KRW 400,000).

Q. The price for 55″ 3D LED LCD TV applied with 3D functions is KRW 4 million and the price for LED LCD TV without 3D functions is KRW 3.5 million.

What is your choice? As a result of presenting this question to numerous people inside and outside the company, the ratio of answers was 5:5. Yes, it is close. The proper behavior in this situation is to remain halfway.

A person who seeks 3D focuses on the 3D itself. Regardless its quality or presence of contents, he or she wants to have an insurance called “3D function enabled” since no one knows what will happen in the future. A person who sees no need for 3D functions says that there is no 3D content and the image quality transitioning from 2D to 3D is below expectations. In addition, he or she says the 3D was only an adjunctive element to the film, Avatar, and the film itself was outstanding. In other words, this person believes that people went wild about the film rather than the 3D (2D Avatar was fantastic as well!).

Their basic stance is like this; a pessimistic person speaks about further perfected technology and infrastructure, whereas an optimistic person focuses on the potential of 3D (well¡¦ maybe related engineers are pessimistic and people in marketing or operation fields are optimistic).

Let’s talk about panels for a moment. What will be the price difference between the LED LCD TV panel and the 3D LED LCD TV panel? According to the current price calculation made by Displaybank, the price gap is about $200. In other words, the 3D LED LCD TV panel is sold about $200 higher than the panel without 3D functions. If you were to sell panels, which one would you sell? In the end, makers endeavor to sell products that generate more revenue and profit.

Lastly, we will ask above questions from seller’s perspective.

“You will watch TV for many years. If you buy a product without 3D functions, you may regret purchasing it later on. You won’t even remember how much you’ve purchased this for. You will think you did good taking my advice when you simply put on glasses and watch 3D. I’ll give you two more glasses for free so you can watch with three other people.”

Reference: http://www.displaybank.com

AU Optronics to Exhibit Innovative Display Applications and Power-Saving Green Technologies at FPD China 2010
Press Release Source: AU Optronics Corp. On Monday March 15, 2010, 3:36 am EDT

HSINCHU, Taiwan, March 15 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO” or the “Company”) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) will exhibit at FPD China 2010 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) from March 16-18 to demonstrate a full range of innovative display applications and power-saving green technologies. 3D display technologies with panels ranging from 8 to 65 inches, the full range of 42 to 55-inch power-saving and LED backlit LCD TV panels, multi-touch LED panels with applications to desktop and notebook PC monitors, small and medium-sized AMOLED and e-paper display applications are among the wide array of exhibits that will be at the show.

With “Innovative Green Technologies, Amazing Digital Life” as the theme of this year’s show, AUO hopes to employ innovative and power-saving green technologies to create a whole new viewing experience for a comfortable and fascinating lifestyle. The exhibition area is divided into several sections, including PID applications, 3D displays, power-saving and LED backlit LCD TV panels, ultra-wide LCD TV panels, IT applications, general display applications, high contrast/VA technologies, in-cell multi-touch panels, AMOLED and e-paper.

3D Displays

AUO will exhibit the latest 3D display technologies, such as the glasses- free barrier and lenticular lens types, and pattern retarder full HD 3D panels to be viewed with special glasses, with panels ranging from 8 to 65 inches. Of the exhibits, the 65-inch pattern retarder full HD 3D panel is the largest commercialized 3D TV panel available and will go into mass production in the second half of 2010. Impressive high-resolution 3D images can be captured with the help of polarized 3D glasses. The glasses weigh only 10 grams and come at a reasonable price, averaging US$2~3 per pair. For those who already own glasses, one must merely clip polarized lenses onto the regular frame for a 3D visual feast. This 3D panel is especially suited for large-sized three- dimensional displays in home theaters.

Power-Saving and LED Backlit LCD TV Panels

The trend toward eco-friendly power-saving TVs is irreversible. In view of this, AUO will demonstrate 42 to 55-inch power-saving and LED backlit LCD TV panels in the LCD TV Applications Section. The 46-inch full HD LCD panel consumes just 68w of power, 2.5 times less than traditional TV panels, and is the world’s No. 1 in terms of power efficiency*. Meanwhile, the 42-inch full HD LCD panel with edge-type LED backlight reduces power consumption by as much as 50% and provides a dynamic contrast ratio of up to 1,000,000:1. In addition, 42, 46 and 55-inch full HD LED backlit LCD TV panels will be on display. The high-contrast panels, equipped with 10.8mm ultra-slim edge-type LED backlighting, are light, slim, and energy efficient.

IT Applications

To demonstrate its prowess in power-saving technology, AUO will showcase the 27-inch CCFL LCD panel for desktop PCs that is currently the world’s slimmest and most energy efficient*. The panel is just 16.2mm thick, with ultra-high luminance and ultra-low power consumption at less than 30w. The eco-friendly power-saving backlight, reduced from 6 to 4 tubes, is low in mercury, adhering to Energy Star 5.0 standards.

E-Paper

AUO is an active player in the e-paper market and has been devoting efforts to the research and development of e-paper in all sizes. The SiPix Microcup(R) e-paper technology and products will make their debut in China. Products such as the 2-inch e-tag, the 4.3-inch e-book, and 6 and 9-inch e- books with in-cell multi-touch panels will be showcased. In addition, a 20- inch e-paper display module for electronic bulletin boards, a 6-inch foldable e-book module and flexible e-paper technologies are also to be seen at the show.

“China has soared to become the world’s largest PC and TV market as demand skyrockets,” said Paul Peng, AUO’s Executive VP of Global Business Unit. “AUO has been actively advancing in the Chinese market over the years and will continue to strengthen its cooperation with local clients and business partners, so that it can provide this enormous market with the most advanced, eco-friendly and energy efficient display technologies and facilitate a more convenient and vibrant digital lifestyle.”

The 2010 China FPD Conference, the most eminent technological event for China’s FPD industry, will be held alongside FPD China. Dr. Fang-Chen Luo, AUO’s VP & CTO, will be delivering a keynote speech entitled, “The Development of Active Matrix LCDs” on the second floor of the Yongda International Tower Convention Center in Pudong, Shanghai on March 16 at 10 a.m. Later at 4:30 p.m. on the same day, Paul Peng, Executive VP of AUO’s Global Business Unit, will take part in the FPD China Forum 2010 as a panelist to present his views on the “Localization of Panel Manufacturing in China.” Visitors to the show are most welcome to attend the event.

*Based on available market research information as of March 15, 2010.

About AU Optronics

AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a worldwide top three manufacturer* of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers with a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.2 inches to greater than 65 inches. AUO generated NT$359.3 billion (US$11.2 billion) in sales revenue in 2009 and now houses a staff of more than 42,000 employees, with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in late 2008, and formally founded its Solar Photovoltaic Business Unit in October, 2009. For more information, please visit AUO.com.

* DisplaySearch 4Q2009 WW Large-Area TFT-LCD Shipment Report. This data is used for reference only and AUO does not make any endorsement or representation in connection therewith. 2009 year end revenue converted at an exchange rate of NTD31.95:USD1.

Safe Harbour Notice

AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO” or the “Company”) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a worldwide top three manufacturer of large-size TFT-LCD panels, today announced the above news. Except for statements in respect of historical matters, the statements contained in this Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements were based on our management’s expectations, projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters including, among other things, future revenues and costs, financial performance, technology changes, capacity, utilization rates, yields, process and geographical diversification, future expansion plans and business strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including risks related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD market, acceptance of and demand for our products, technological and development risks, competitive factors, and other risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4th, 2008.

Reference: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AU-Optronics-to-Exhibit-prnews-235657098.html?x=0&.v=56