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Sony: Up to 50% of our HDTVs to be 3D-capable by 2012
Sony first revealed plans for 3D-capable Bravia televisions earlier this year, and most recently it also laid out some ideas for stuffing the technology into its Blu-ray players, VAIO laptops and PlayStation 3 console. While it remains to be seen how consumers in general react to the idea, the company is apparently very confident of its success, expecting around 30 to 50 percent of all the TVs it sells from April 2012 to be 3D-enabled.
These sets will include a small piece of additional hardware to enable the 3D functionality. The extra hardware isn't likely to have a big price premium, but the glasses required to see 3D content could be sold separately for up to $200. The idea is to keep prices competitive with other sets while only requiring a higher expense from customers who want access to the additional functionality.
The company's 3D strategy is said to revolve around gaming, films and sports. But Sony isn't the only one betting on the technology to secure future sales. Earlier this month, Asus unveiled a pair of laptops with Nvidia's 3D Vision built in, and we've heard about multiple TV vendors readying a wave of 3D compatible sets for next year. We are hoping to hear a lot more details at CES 2010 this January.
These sets will include a small piece of additional hardware to enable the 3D functionality. The extra hardware isn't likely to have a big price premium, but the glasses required to see 3D content could be sold separately for up to $200. The idea is to keep prices competitive with other sets while only requiring a higher expense from customers who want access to the additional functionality.
The company's 3D strategy is said to revolve around gaming, films and sports. But Sony isn't the only one betting on the technology to secure future sales. Earlier this month, Asus unveiled a pair of laptops with Nvidia's 3D Vision built in, and we've heard about multiple TV vendors readying a wave of 3D compatible sets for next year. We are hoping to hear a lot more details at CES 2010 this January.
User Comments (39)
Post a comment| Moltar on November 30, 2009 2:10 PM | Is there anyone else out there that isnt jumping on this 3D band wagon? I feel like the TV manufacturers are just trying to come out with some new variation to put more money into their pockets. |
| fref on November 30, 2009 2:14 PM | You're telling me that I just spent 3500$ on two Sony Bravia TVs that will be outdated in 2-3 years? Oh well, I'm not buying new TVs any time soon, so I guess I'll skip this new technology for the first few years. |
| swilllx2p on November 30, 2009 2:36 PM | I think the whole 3D thing in televisions and gaming systems is really really cool and all, but i'll definitly be waiting on the technology until it gets to a point where glasses are not required to see it in 3D. Get to that point and I see this as a huge success...glasses and I see it being mainly just enthusiasts buying. |
| lightheart on November 30, 2009 3:16 PM | I agree with the other posts, 3D is not really needed at this time. Plus with a family of 4, that would add an extra $800. I can see little Jane and John fighting over a $200 pair of 3D glasses and oops, need another pair. I'm still using old CRT TVs, which look and work just fine. |
| topcoach on November 30, 2009 3:33 PM | I'm looking forward to seeing how well this new technology works. |
| Serag on November 30, 2009 3:40 PM | I think that this new technology is not needed now..its introduced early just to earn the manufactures more money! |
| Rapidhic on November 30, 2009 3:48 PM | 3D HDTVs, Project Natal... the new age has begun! |
| manintech on November 30, 2009 4:08 PM | $200 for a 3D glasses? seems like they all make lots of profit on accessories |
| IvanAwfulitch on November 30, 2009 4:14 PM | manintech said: And just
as you implied, that's only the HALF of it. When the first
intense 3D games come out, we'll need quite some graphics
processors to figure all that information out. Can you
imagine the kind of money and the power needed to enable 3D
gaming? These HDTVs and 3DHD glasses are only the beginning.
$200 for a 3D glasses? seems like they all make lots of profit on accessories |
| matchu on November 30, 2009 4:41 PM | Wouldn't it be so cool if you could have a 3D TV or graphics without the need for glasses? I'm just imagining myself strolling around my house. I don't want to have to sit down directly in front of the TV and put on some glasses to be able to enjoy it. It's kind of restrictive... |
| LNCPapa on November 30, 2009 4:50 PM | Here's an interesting video for you guys if you haven't been keeping up with this 3D TV thing - [link] . This should give you an idea of where we're headed with this thing - sure it may be a few or more years, but it'll eventually be something we all deem essential. Believe me, I've spent way more on TVs in the last 4 years than I'm willing to admit and I'm not looking forward to replacing them, but resistance is futile and there's no need to fear change. |
| stwongbad85 on November 30, 2009 5:37 PM | Everything I have seen in "3D" so far just gives me a headache and overall seems kind of gimmicky. Also, watching stuff at home requires a completely dark room, otherwise, it just feels distracting. |
| klepto12 on November 30, 2009 5:38 PM | this seems to me like a big way for sony to make alot of money on a product that will not be used as they intend it to be who is going to shell out $200 for glasses? |
| tengeta on November 30, 2009 5:40 PM | So whats the chance that "3DTV" will be a slightly higher resolution than 1080p to force people to yet again get new TV's? |
| BlackIrish on November 30, 2009 5:51 PM | In that case, I'm still gonna keep my CRT TV until 3D OLED 2xHD sets come out :p |
| Heretic on November 30, 2009 7:07 PM | This would be pretty cool, but I'm just a little bit confused on how this would work with gameplay. Just watching a scene in 3 dimensions is complicated enough. Being able to look around and walk through it as a character is going to be complex as hell. |
| muljator on November 30, 2009 7:07 PM | i think it will be at least 5 years until 3D tv is a
mainstream technology. so no point to worry about lcd being outdated yet. |
| 9Nails on November 30, 2009 7:44 PM | lightheart said: I'm happy to hear that I'm not the
only other person who is using CRT's and doesn't want to
toss out $800 in gizmo glasses and a several grand on TV
sets to replace entertainment that is otherwise meeting it's
needs.I agree with the other posts, 3D is not really needed at this time. Plus with a family of 4, that would add an extra $800. I can see little Jane and John fighting over a $200 pair of 3D glasses and oops, need another pair. I'm still using old CRT TVs, which look and work just fine. |
| bedouinrising on November 30, 2009 9:06 PM | this is a technology that I think won't catch on very quickly... |
| tekkaraiden on November 30, 2009 11:03 PM | muljator said: I'd be
thinking it's going to take longer than that. It's taken
HDTV almost a decade to become mainstream.
i think it will be at least 5 years until 3D tv is a mainstream technology. so no point to worry about lcd being outdated yet. |
| techdisciple on November 30, 2009 11:11 PM | lmao if they think i will shell out my hard earned dollars to buy some stupid 3d glasses for $200 each... Enough Said now Called ED. LOL |
| ken777 on November 30, 2009 11:24 PM | Dammit! I'm still using a CRT TV that's almost 10 years old. I thought about getting an LCD TV a couple of yrs ago, but decided to wait for 120hz. Now I'm waiting for LED back-lit, local dimming sets to come down in price. By the time that happens, 3D TV will be rolling out. Guess I'll still be watching SD on my CRT for another five yrs. |
| Richy2k9 on November 30, 2009 11:31 PM | hello ... technology goes too fast, i just got myself an HDTV (almost 1 year) & now this... well i'm sure i'll go for it for SONY also said would update the PS3 FW to support this, so mostly to get the best our of everything, i will surely get a new 3DTV  will have to sell that one though, i'm not rich .. just Richy this is a nice move SONY, yet dangerous these times, the worst is that i see people complaining this & that around me but they still do continue to buy, buy buy ... bye! |
| saintbodhisatva on December 1, 2009 12:05 AM | .. But if it does catch on, economies of scale will make it cheaper and more affordable, thats something I'm hoping for 2-3 years after its introduction. |
| lfg18 on December 1, 2009 12:20 AM | I haven't had the chance of watching one of these tv's by
myself but they look very very good, I'm pretty sure that
they will make gaming and watching movies a terrific
expirience, we just have to wait until this technology gets
cheaper so everybody can enjoy it, maybe in 5 years
everybody will have one of this at home |
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