It really is quite stunning. With the right mix of hardware and software, it actually feels like this television is about 2 feet deep, when in fact it’s not much more than an inch.
You do need a mix though. At a bare mimimum you need to add a 3D capable Blu-ray player and a pair of active-shutter glasses. In my case I’ve also tried the P33 with a couple of the showcase 3D games (Wipeout and Motorstorm). But yep, when you get it all plumbed together, it actually works.
More than a gimmick? I’m not entirely sure. The glasses preclude any casual dimension shifting, and at $200 a pair, the kids will be going to bed early on movie night. Also, I couldn’t stand to use the 3D technology during the day. It might just be my situation, but unless you have a windowless home cinema, you’ll notice significant distracting flickering – not from the TV, but from any nearby windows. This isn’t an issue at night.
Polarised light means you can't watch lying down.
But, the effect is amazing enough that – had I the readies – I’d like to own of these devices for the odd occasion that I had a fresh baked 3D movie to watch. Just not when lying down on the couch. Why do they use polarised light? Surely the active shutter does everything required to have separate left and right images?
Elsewhere, the Samsung UA46C7000 is rather brilliant. It’s more computer than TV, with a full operating system, applications, and even a built-in PVR (just add storage). Connect the tellie to your network so you can check Twitter. Add an optional webcam (my common-or-garden USB webcam didn’t work), and you can skype your auntie.
The display quality leaves my n-year-old V-series Sony for dead, with all the good cliches like “blacker blacks” coming rapidly to mind. It’s maddening how quickly display technology moves along.
You can have one of these for a measly 4,800 shekels (plus the other bits you need for full 3D). Full tech specs are here.
Happy to answer any questions or run any tests you may have. Just hit up the comments below.
I take it the can’t-watch-lying-down problem only applies in 3D mode?
And you should see if you can play something 3D off a USB drive, directly into the TV. I’m pretty sure the set does that.
Actually, it looks like the easiest thing is for you to ask Samsung for their official demo files on a USB drive — no PS3 required. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to find the same thing online, but there’s 2-3GB of it.
SO even sitting down one would have to keep one’s head reasonably level? No lying down on the couch while one is watching one’s television?
Can one watch 3D content in 2D mode for such occasions as tilting one’s head?
The polarisation dimming only really kicks in beyond 45 degrees. So you can either prop yourself up on some pillows, or yes, you can disable 3D even on 3D content – it effectively only shows you the image for a single eye.
Interesting point: Panasonic uses some weird form of “active shutter” glasses that don’t suffer from this effect. I have no idea how they are doing LCD glasses without polarisation, but it works. Perhaps only on Plasmas?
3D is a gimmick I swear – unless I can play games then I’m totally there. I’m also hoping the early adopters drive down the price of normal HDTVs though so I can pick one up.
I think diferrent because my friends and family use another product.It’s relaxed and i love it’s very much.But next 3D Products I’ll think of this as 3D stuffs that you just present.Grate!!!