Looks set to be a great summer for pub owners. Just think how many of us fancy having a few beers down the local and watching the World Cup? Looks like BskyB have acquired another arrow for the pub quiver, having snapped up 15,000 3D TVs from LG to be installed in drinking holes this Spring.
The idea is to drum up interest in Sky's first 3D TV channel, set for launch sometime around April.
"These partnerships will help consumers become more familiar with 3D TVs and that can only be a positive for the industry and innovation", said?Havis Kwon, executive vice president and head of the LG's LCD division.
Though there is plenty of buzz surrounding 3D TVs at the moment, analysts have predicted a slow start to 3D TV sales. Perhaps this latest wave of televisions has come a little too soon after the HD revolution, with consumers comfortable sticking with their 2D1080p HD sets instead.
With the buzz surrounding 3D TV starting to really pick up, retailers Currys and Harrods have both today announced that they are now beginning to take pre-orders for 3D TV sets.
Both Harrods and Currys will be showcasing the new technology instore, using Sony's Bravia HX903.
As well as 3D compatibility, the HX903's feature list includes an integrated Freeview HD tuner and 200Hz Motionflow blur reduction technology, ranging in screen size from 46 inches up to 60 inches.
Curry's prices for Sony's 3D TV range start at £1,999, presumably for the 46 inch model, with the 52 inch screen coming in at £2,999.
While Harrods have yet to finalise their prices, they expect their 52 inch model to retail at around £2,500.
Click here to visit the Currys homepage, or here for Harrods for more details on their respective offers.
Migrating to new tech always tends to bring with it some compatibility issues between devices, but thankfully Sky seem to have ironed out any possible problems with their upcoming Sky 3D service.
The satellite TV giants sent out a message today, reiterating that "Sky 3D, its forthcoming 3D TV service and Europe's first 3D TV channel, will be compatible with all 3D TVs being introduced by Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and LG. Sky 3D will work with both 'active' and 'passive' 3D formats." That means that no matter what new 3D TV set you get, Sky have pretty much got you covered.
Dont fret if you're already a Sky+ HD subscriber but are not planning on upgrading your set just yet. Sky's HD content already available will not be affected by the additional 3D channels.
Look for Sky 3D to roll out sometime over the summer. For more info, click here.
Sharp's new range of Aquos LED LCD TVs have launched in the UK. While most of the industry's attention is now on the big 3D push, Sharp are looking to update current HD standards by pioneering a new Quad Pixel technology, which adds a forth colour sub-pixel, yellow, to the traditional red, green, blue format.
What this means for the layman is that billions upon billions of colours can now be displayed, making in theory for a far more realistic colour palette.
Three models are available; the LC-LE811E, LC-LE821E and LC-LE921E sets ranging in size from 40 to 46 inches, while the LC-LE920 model is 60 inches in size.
While each set features robust energy saving technology and built-in Freeview HD, the flagship LC-LE921E will also have E-motion 200 Hz tech built in too, retaining clarity in fast moving images.
No prices or availability details knocking around yet, but it's good to see innovative new 2D TV tech hasn't been swept away by the 3D wave.
Sony have unleashed two brand new Blu-ray players, both of which will be fully 3D compatible. The Sony BDP-S570 model will be 3D ready straight out of the box, while those opting for the cheaper BDP-S470 player will get 3D visuals through a software update.
With a "Monolithic" design style, both players will send 1080p 3D images to your eyes, providing you have a compatible 3D TV and Active Shutter glasses set up.
Hooking up to the internet via either built-in Wi-Fi on the BDP-S570 model or over an Ethernet cable with the BDP-S470 unit (an additional Sony Wi-Fi dongle can be bought for the S470), owners will be able to access Sony's new Bravia Internet Video Service. This new on demand platform will let you stream content from YouTube, LOVEFiLM and BBC's iPlayer without the need for any additional media boxes.
DLNA networking is also available across both Blu-ray players, which have also the nifty feature of being able to be controlled by an iPod Touch or iPhone.
Though prices are still to be confirmed, you'll be able to pick both 3D Blu-ray players up from shops by the end of the month.
Virgin Media have secured the rights to broadcast the new
Film4 HD channel, as well as E4 HD.
It's a big coup for Virgin Media subscribers, as Film4 HD offers one of probably the best catalogues of films outside of Sky Movies and Sky Movies Premier.
"Channel 4 has a great track record in delivering innovative and compelling content and we're delighted to bring some of their very best films and most popular programmes to our customers in stunning HD", said Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media.
"As more and more households become HD-ready, we're lining up content that makes the most of High Definition and are making HD available to all our of customers for no extra fee."
As well as Film4 HD and E4 HD, Virgin Media's HD line up also includes BBC HD, C4HD, ESPN HD, FX HD, MTVN HD, National Geographic HD, LIVING HD and Eurosport HD, with Discovery HD also on its way.
3D TV was a huge part of LG's CES line-up this year. But though the Korean tech company promised an April launch in the UK for its flagship LG LD360 LED TV range, that has now apparently been cancelled.
A 47 inch beauty, the LD360 (picture for illustrative purposes only) was in the works to be compatible with Sky's forthcoming 3D TV channel.
In LG's own words, "One of the biggest trends in TV in the coming years is certainly set to be 3D and LG is making its first 3D TV (LD360) available to consumers in April 2010."
No news yet on what's caused the about turn from LG, or whether or not the LG LD360 LED TV will hit our shores at all. Still, it's sure to raise a smile at Samsung HQ, as their 9000 series of 3D TVs now has pretty much no competitors when it launches early this year.
Via: Tech Radar
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