3D

3D technology is showing up everywhere…in TVs, Blu-ray players, and now you can bring 3D viewing to your PC thanks to CyberLink's PowerDVD 10. The company's most advanced movie and media player to date, PowerDVD 10 uses TrueTheater 3D technology to convert 2D DVD movies and video files into 3D.

That's not all PowerDVD 10 does. Loaded with CyberLink's TrueTheater technologies (TrueTheater 3D, TrueTheater HD, TrueTheater Noise Reduction, TrueTheater Stabilizer), DVDs and video files are upscaled to HD; video noise is reduced and image stabilization is offered. Also, a "Mark II" update is scheduled for release this summer, adding Blu-ray 3D playback and 2D-to-3D video file conversion to the software. Mark II will be free for those who have already purchased PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D.Read more

Onkyo just unveiled a slew of new home theater receivers and home theater in a box systems – six total to be exact. Perhaps the one getting the most attention is the TX-SR608, the "world's first THX certified 3D-ready A/V receiver."

Available in April, the 3D-ready TX-SR608 receiver is a 7.2 channel THX-Select2 Plus certified receiver that uses a three-stage Darlington output topology to increase power from 90 to 100 watts. It also uses an Audyssey DSX dimensional sound processor along with its Dolby PLIIz capability. The receiver decodes lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreams, and uses 192-kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown PCM1690 DAC's. All video sources can be upscaled to 1080p via HDMI and Faroudja DCDi Cinema…even the PC input. It also includes a front HDMI input. The TX-SR608 will be available in April for $599.Read more

Yesterday we told you about the new NVIDIA 3D Vision-Ready projectors from Acer, and today another 3D-ready projector is hitting the marketplace, this one from ViewSonic. The new PJD6531w 120Hz, 3D-ready DLP projector is now shipping.

Main features of the PJD6531w include:

• 3,000 lumens, high 3,200:1 contrast ratio, 1280x800 WXGA native wide resolution and BrilliantColor technology
• Optimization for 2D and 3D performance with support for both NVIDIA 3D-Vision and Texas Instruments DLP Link technologies
• Wide resolution supports all HDTV formats, including 720p and 1080i/p
• RJ-45 connectivity enables remote network control; Extensive input options offer amazing multimedia performance.

Acer today announced two new NVIDIA 3D Vision-Ready projectors; the Acer H5360, designed for the home theater and the X1261, geared toward business and classroom use.

The Acer H5360 provides just what the home theater enthusiast wants in a 3D-ready projector; HD-ready 720p (1,280x720) resolution, advanced lamp technology with illumination of up to 2500 ANSI lumens, a 3200:1 contrast ratio and it displays images in 16:9. The H5360 boasts a vertical refresh rate of 50-120Hz.

The H5360 projector also has an HDMI port for connection to Blu-ray and DVD players. Additional ports include three RCA jacks, component video, S-video mini DIN, 2.5mm audio mini-jack, 15-pin D-Sub for a PC analog signal.Read more

Beginning March 2nd, the annual CeBIT tradeshow starts in Hannover, Germany. MSI Computer will be there showing off the company's latest All-in-One PCs, including its new power-saving LOHAS models and a 24-inch full HD 3D AIO computer.

Here's what they'll be showcasing, along with more information on each (taken from the press release):

World's First Large Screen, Full HD 3D All-in-One PC
MSI's Wind Top All-in-One 3D PC integrates 3D display technology with powerful CPU processing for smooth and clear 3D images with a high level of image detail. Combining a large, 24-inch 120Hz LED display and full HD (1080p) resolution with 3D shutter glasses allows home users to experience the 3D movie theater experience in their living rooms.Read more

Sony this week unveiled its first 3D Blu-ray player – the BDP-S470. Although it won't play 3D content the moment it is unboxed, a firmware update will be available this summer, enabling the BDP-S470 to play Blu-ray-capable 3D movies.

The company also announced another Blu-ray player, the BDP-S570, and two Blu-ray home theater systems that will be able to play 3D content thanks to the firmware update. The Blu-ray home theater systems eligible for the update are the E770W and BDV-E570.

All of the new models (if connected to the Internet) support Netflix streaming as well as Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, and more through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video platform. Also, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch, the new players let you use your iPhone as a remote using the free "BD Remote" app available from the Apple App store. Read more

Acer today unveiled a new display featuring 1920x1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Designed for gamers and 3D movie buffs, the Acer GD235HZ is also a full HD 3D display when paired with NVIDIA 3D Vision active-shutter glasses.

The 23.6-inch display has a 16:9 aspect ratio and 80,000:1 (ACM) contrast ratio, rapid 2ms response times, a 300 cd/m2 brightness, as well as software solutions that let you control brightness, saturation, contrast and much more (see the press release below).

The Acer GD235HZ 3D display will be available this month for $399.99. The NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit is available for $199 from leading e-tailers. Read more

Samsung Electronics just announced that they are the first company to start mass producing both 3D LED TVs and 3D LCD TVs. The company began producing LED and LCD panels for 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch full-HD 3D TVs using '3D Active Glasses' this month, employing Samsung's true 240Hz technology. True 240Hz technology allows you to view full-HD in 2D, as well as full-HD 3D images.

The panels use Samsung's new 3D Active Glasses technology which allows 3D images to appear more lifelike by first blocking the left and then right lens, causing a slight lag when images are shown to each eye. Samsung has also reduced the response time of its LCD and LED panels by 20 percent to less than four milliseconds, eliminating interference between the eyes.

For more information, visit www.samsung.com.