Panasonic pushes ahead with recordable 3D TVs

MOST PEOPLE haven't even seen a 3D TV yet, but Panasonic has pushed ahead anyway with the world's first televisions that are able to record and play back 3D image streams.

Launching in 42-inch and 46-inch versions, the 3D Viera RT2B series will be fairly more expensive than non-recordable TVs of similar sizes, and will come with 500GB of hard drive space as standard.

Nikkei reported that Panasonic will also make 3D standard in flat-panel TVs 42 inches or larger that it releases in Japan. It shines the spotlight back on the company, which among rivals like Sony, Samsung and LG is putting down a big wad on 3D being successful.

Panasonic was the first to launch 3D TVs in Japan back in April, and currently has a lineup of four models that run from 50 to 65 inches. Two new plasma models will come out in August.

Targeting a 50 per cent market share in 3D TVs, the company uses plasma display panels called NeoPDP, which provides HD 3D by displaying a 1080p HD signal for each eye.

To watch images you need special active shutter glasses using frame second shell technology. Other companies have their own ways of doing it, but the 3D TV technology is all broadly similar. µ