Samsung shows off 55-inch glasses-free 3D TV
updated 11:30 am EDT, Thu March 17, 2011
Samsung shows prototype glasses-free 3D TV
At the currently ongoing FPD China expo, Samsung showed off a 55-inch 3D LCD TV that doesn't require special glasses to view 3D content. When 3D content is playing, there are nine viewpoints, and the ideal viewing distance ranges from 2.5 to six meters (8.2 to 19.7 feet). The TV can operate in both 2D and 3D modes.
Inside, the design uses a top LCD panel whose optical refraction index can be changed along with a second LCD panel that displays images. The top LCD behaves like a lens and shows different images for the left and right eye. When the top panel's refraction index isn't changed, the TV shows standard 2D images.
The prototype set shows 1080p images and has brightness levels and contrast ratio of 500cd/m2 and 4,000:1, respectively. It uses a direct-lit CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) backlight unit, though Samsung said it can be replaced with an LED backlight.
Samsung hasn't yet decided when it will commercialize the TV, but when it does, it will take three years to bring to market. [via Tech-On]
