LG Cinema 3D TV – a perfect TV for you if you’re a graphic designer

Subhro Prakash Ghosh

Last Sunday I came back from my friend’s house and determined to write a story on a real fact I’ve myself experienced. I felt I should share with my regular readers. A few months back one of my closest friends, Vivek Dutta, a graphic designer working in an MNC and a hard-core freelancer shared his interest for buying a 3D TV. He often brings his own clients (with whom he freelances) at his own bungalow to give demonstration on the designing works he does; the reason why he was eager to buy a 3D TV. I had also taken him to attend the launch of Panasonic 3D TV in India last year and he was quite impressed with the performance of the product. He was almost prepared to buy the Panasonic 3D TV and started doing some researches and studies on it. While doing so, what he later explained me, he had encountered lots of major and minor problems related to the product that compelled him to change his mind.

According to Vivek, using 3D TV is very effective for the graphic designers, what he feels, specially if the person is associated with numerous graphic designing companies who want proper 3D result. If the final 3D content is not visualized on a 3D TV, the effort graphic designers give in making a 3D content is not recognized at full extent. Using 3D TV will also helps the designers to recognize the faults or flaws in their content and make the necessary modifications.

Newly launched LG Cinema 3D TV in India

A few days back I was in Mumbai just for a day to attend the first launch of LG’s Cinema 3D TV. I’ve already mentioned in my earlier article how much I’ve been benefited by seeing the practical demonstration of LG Cinema 3D TV, its performance and difference with other branded 3D TVs. Here, once again I’ll recite the similar points to make you once again understand the specialty of LG 3D TV, mainly for them who haven’t gone through my previous write-up on the trip to Mumbai.

LG spokespersons standing on a row

After declaring the official launch of the LG Cinema 3D TV in India, a lengthy presentation was given on the new product there, new FPR (film-type patterned retarder) technology adopted and the difference between FPR and SG (shutter glasses) technologies. SG is actually a conventional technology that is still being used by Samsung, Sony and Panasonic – the consumer durables brands earlier ventured into the retailing of 3D TV in India. At the demonstration zone, the new LG Cinema 3D TVs were showcased with other branded 3D TVs on an objective to demonstrate the drawbacks of SG technology. For example of some demonstrations – While sliding down the shutter glasses, the light got diminished completely, no object was seen. While experimented the same with FPR 3D glasses, there was no reduction in brightness and color quality. I had also practically seen at what rate flickering and image overlapping are common for shutter glasses, but in case of FPR Cinema 3D TV, no such problems occur. I had also seen the conversion of 2D to 3D content fantastically done by LG Cinema 3D TV. There a 3D game was constantly going on that recalled me of Vivek. Then I felt that if Vivek would have accompanied me, he would have surely been benefited.

3D Gaming on LG Cinema 3D TV

Thanks to my high tech Xperia 10 mobile, I was able to record lots of videos of ongoing demonstration. Vivek seemed to be very cheerful after going through all those videos I had captured and press release too. Then he simply said, “You’re really a lucky guy. Don’t worry, I promise I shall purchase a LG Cinema 3D TV as soon as I get a pending cheque from my client and we shall once again enjoy the Avatar movie together and booze.” He also said that he will show me lots of his 3D graphic cartoons and games, which he had shown me earlier on his laptop, to clearly understand the superiority of LG Cinema 3D TV and FPR 3D technology.
Last Sunday he just called me up to accompany him for visiting an electronic store. The store owner was known to Vivek. We had seen some models of LG Cinema 3D TV and some demonstrations. We also finalized the bargaining part before giving the final call. Now we’re only waiting for our free time to bring the product home.

IPS panel always ahead of VA panel

Subhro Prakash Ghosh

Innovation never gets stagnant. It always has incessant flow, sometimes touches crest and at times trough. But it never ends. In every field innovation is constant. If we look into the electronic world, among the most striking innovations happened in the last decade, the television technology has reached the pinnacle with the introduction of LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light emitting diode) and 3D TVs. The television sets consisting of conventional CRT (cathode ray tube) are getting a gradual shift to ‘no interest’. This is also due to the constant falling price of the LCD and LED televisions.

The concept of LCD came in before, and later the introduction of LED TV reduced the former’s impression, however, the latter product costs comparatively high. However, both the categories are based on the VA (Vertical Alignment) technology. But after going through an inclusive research on the usage of VA panel, it has been noticed that VA consists of numerous drawbacks and fails to meet the criteria of the manufacturers, as well as end-consumers.

VA panel is manufactured by the joint venture of Sony and Samsung. In VA display, the liquid crystal material naturally exists in a vertical state. When there is no voltage, the liquid crystal cell remains perpendicular to the substrate. This generates a black display. Whereas when voltage is applied, the liquid crystal cells immediately take the horizontal shift, i.e., parallel to the substrate, thus allowing light to pass through and creating a white display. As cited about the drawbacks, such as – both Samsung and Sony claim a viewing angle of 178⁰ but in actual case color shift happens with the change of viewing angle. The picture quality is not adequate in giving a sense of ‘realness’ to the audience. The screen composed of VA panel will always have lighting and tailing when touched.

If there are so many disadvantages involved with VA panel, why should we opt for the televisions made up of VA panel? And above all when we are having an alternative option. I don’t know if you have heard about IPS technology or not, but trust me, this is the superior alternative we have till date. IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel technology was developed by Hitachi in 1996. The purpose of Hitachi was solving some limitations of TN (Twisted Nematic) matrices, i.e., poor viewing angles and color reproduction. However, albeit launched around 15 years back, this IPS technology has taken its height with lots of innovations and modifications made in it.

There are lots of advantages of using TV comprised of IPS panel. IPS panel has fast response speed compared to VA panel, and displays accurate and consistent color from any viewing angle. While changing the angle, there will be no color change at all. The picture quality completely gives a sense of ‘realness’ to the audience. Whereas IPS panel displays stable images when it is touched, no option of lighting and tailing common to VA panel. Considering its advantages, LG and Hitachi are presently applying the IPS technology in their televisions.

LG LED TV having IPS panel

In India and other countries, LG products implemented with IPS technology are receiving tremendous response. It has also been noticed that customers using the Samsung and Sony products, composed of VA panel, have replaced with LG products. If you will find in Wikipedia the advantages of IPS panel, conversely the disadvantages of using VA panel. Hence, when the world is voting for IPS panel, you should also do the same with no controversy.

LG- The new innovator in the world of 3D TV

Rahul Mukherjee

LG has at last launched an exclusive 3D based TV with core emphasis on enhancing the viewer’s 3D TV experience. This product comes with LG’s own proprietary  film patterned retarder technology, which is aimed at eliminating crosstalk & flicker issue experienced by regular 3D TV viewers. Crosstalk has been one of the upsetting features of the 3D glasses provided with 3D glasses. Crosstalk takes place when the moving images inside the television can’t switch rapidly enough  between the right & left eye while communicating between the TV & 3D glasses. The consequence is, you end up witnessing the same image in through both, left & right glasses. On the other hand, flickering takes place primarily because of the LCD lenses used in manufacturing of 3D TVs. These LCD lenses are known for their property to dim lights in certain portions of images, but here it dims the amount of light reflected upon both the 3D glasses wore by the viewer, thus any other source of light within the viewing angle of viewer tends to produce a flickering effect. The end result is, you end up having a rough experience of watching 3D TV, which probably was your first time experience of 3D TV viewing.

LG Cinema 3D TV based on FPR tech

LG’s FPR 3D TV eliminates all of these bugs, & on top of that, adds a touch of eco-friendliness by replacing active-shutter 3D spectacles by passive 3D glasses. This glasses are lighter, cheaper & don’t add to your count of health hazards, as they don’t apply the any sort of electronic apparatus. Moreover, these glasses provided by LG are made compatible to be worn upon your corrective lenses if you  have any by the use of FPR lens inserts, thus allowing you to wear your corrective lenses while wearing the 3D FPR lenses. That’s not all, the 3D glasses provided by LG also add to your viewing experience by providing you with flexible viewing angle, thus you can keep in touch with 3D TV viewing even when you move around the room. Thus, LG is endeavored to provide you with a much more relaxed 3D TV viewing with its new LG FPR 3D.

LG FPR 3D is also being termed LG Cinema 3D in India, where it has been recently launched, as the brand claims that this 3D television will provide viewers with the same experience of watching full-length movies as they experience in 3D movie theatre screens. This TV had received user preference ratings of 95%, 88% & 85% from consumers in China, France & United states respectively. The owners have already announced much more competitive pricing of the product in coming months if sales figures match up as per the hype in certain top nations around the world.  Since, this product also boasts DivX HD feature & LED screen lenses alongside the innovative 3D technology, it is surely going to magnetize present HD TV viewers to witness impeccable 3D TV technology.

LG finally paves the road of FPR technology in India; unveils its first Cinema 3D TV

Subhro Prakash Ghosh

LG Cinema 3D TV unveiled

The   entry of Cinema 3D TV of LG in India on 26^th April breaks all the notions that the existing 3D TV brands made with the use of conventional technology. Yes, probably it might sound a tad weird comment or comparison, however, this is the actual truth. Earlier Samsung, Sony and Panasonic have already launched their 3D TVs in the Indian market, but every brand emerged with the conventional SG (shutter glass) technology. LG among all the global brands stands successful in applying the latest FPR (film-type patterned retarder) and launching its new Cinema 3D TV in India.
The successive foraying of LG in 3 nations (Korea, France, and India) within a gap of only one or two weeks makes it distinctive among all its competitors. The new breakthrough in 3D technology in the home entertainment segment debuts nationally for the Indian consumers. While unveiling the launch jointly done by Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut,

Kangana Ranaut with Soon Kwon, MD, LG Electronic

the Managing Director of LG Electronics India Soon Kwon opined, “LG is committed to develop the products and innovating technologies which surpass the expectation of today’s global consumers. Cinema 3D TV is the perfect choice when it comes to blend in the fascinating milieu of 3D entertainment for a lengthy period in greater comfort.”
The sizzling fact of this launch is that with the introduction of LG FPR 3D TV, the brands using the SG technology get a big slam due to open exposure of lots of disadvantage involved with the conventional technology. Poor brightness with less clarity, flickering, image overlapping known as cross talk, heavy weight of shutter glasses, health hazard due to prolonged use etc. are the striking drawbacks that make FPR technology stand far ahead from SG. LG Cinema 3D TV applied with FPR technology is the world’s first 3D TV to be honored with the recognition of ‘Flicker Free’ certification from Intertek and TUV.

FPR technology – a boon to end-consumers

Subhro Prakash Ghosh
LG has announced its retailing of LG Cinema 3D TV in India. Though it’s a Cinema 3D TV, but it comprises of all the advantages of LG Smart TV, so that the user can have an optimum level of access to premium content via renowned global providers including India’s, for instance Hungama, Zapak, NDTV, Carwale and Indiatimes. On the other hand, this product is designed in such a manner that it can directly hit the problem of ‘lack of 3D content’. It has a special quality to convert the 2D content into high quality content.
LG Cinema 3D TV, based on the FPR 3D technology is much ahead of the 3D TVs of other existing brands in India such as Panasonic, Sony and Samsung, whose concepts are pillared on SG technology. FPR technology optimizes the image separation for right and left eye in order to give the viewers clear 3D pictures with zero percent cross talk, image retention and flickering. These problems are openly observed in the SG technology, and its prolonged use even indulges viewers suffering from headache and eye fatigue.

Demonstration of FPR 3D glass-No change in color/pic quality with the change in viewing angle

Among all the features of FPR technology, the salient ones are – advanced 2D to 3D conversion, certified 3D flicker-free 3D images, comfortable 3D glasses, flexible viewing positions and wide viewing angle and 3D light boost. Viewers using the conventional shutter glasses (SG) confront with tremendous flickering, on the other hand, the glasses are too heavy due to inbuilt rechargeable battery to wear for a long time. On the contrary, the head position of the viewer should be straight and static, and taking a different viewing angle will immediately catch the reduced image brightness and clarity.

Demonstration of SG - Color/pic quality changes with the change in viewing angle

However, the using of FPR 3D glasses of LG has been improved with high modifications from all these drawbacks. Viewers using FPR glasses will never face flickering, and these glasses are very light and comfortable to wear due to the absence of battery. Whereas, this technology endows the user with numerous viewing angles (maximum 178⁰) with no color change, thus the picture quality is always vivid with superb clarity. Hovering with lots of advantages and benefits, this FPR technology, a proprietary of LG, is supposed to make a revolution in the 3D TV concept in India.

Samsung rules out 3D TV for couch potatoes, LG counters with FPR Tech

by Jack Burden

Recently a Samsung executive said “There’s no 3-D that works while you are lying down sideways!” and now a new 3D battle is underway. Active shutter glasses vs. Passive Polarized glasses is nothing new but vertical vs. horizontal has sprung forth from it.

All of Samsung's 3D TVs use active shutter glasses which require the viewer's heard to be oriented vertically in order to work, this means that you cannot watch 3D programming while lying down on the couch, which just happens to be a favorite activity of many TV watchers.

LG has countered with a new ad campaign in Korea that shows a man lying on the couch watching 3D TV. LG's FPR or Film Patterned Retarder technology uses a film over the TV which works with passive polarized glasses to create 3D that can be viewed from any head angle, inlcuding horizontal on the sofa.

It's amazing the places that technology battles can unfold sometimes but if you prefer to watch TV lying down, then something like this can sway your purchase decision.

source : http://www.3d-tvbuyingguide.com/news/3dtv-couch.html

IPS Technology Explain

IPS Panel Technology Explained

There are many different panel technologies used in the production of LCD monitors. They range from budget TN panels to expensive, professional quality S-IPS and S-PVA panels. The average consumer usually has no idea what panel technology is used in their LCD. In fact, many power users are also unaware, simply because the panel type is rarely listed by the manufacturer in the monitor specifications. Many users buy monitors based on price and size. Price should be a factor, but you should still know the advantages and disadvantages of the different LCD panel types and be able to identify them before you decide which LCD to purchase.

IPS Panel Technology

S-IPS/H-IPS (In Plane Switching) panels are generally considered the best overall LCD technology for image quality, color accuracy and viewing angles, but this comes at a price. They are well suited for graphics design and other applications which require accurate and consistent color reproduction. S-IPS panels offer the best viewing angles of any current LCD technology, with wide viewing angles up to 178 degress. The response time of S-IPS is adequate, ranging from 6ms to 16ms with current panels. This is only slightly slower than TN panels. However, gamers should take this into consideration. Fast paced games may suffer from motion blur or ghosting with S-IPS panels that have a response time higher than 8ms. IPS LCD's are a suitable stopgap display technology until OLED monitors are commercially viable.


S-IPS panels can be identified buy a slight purple hue on blacks when viewed from a wide angle. There are currently few manufacturers using S-IPS panels in comparison to the other panels types making choices limited and they often carry a premium price tag. H-IPS is a newer variation of S-IPS with a different pixel structure that improves contrast ratios and lowers pixel pitch to provide better picture quality. To find an IPS based LCD see this comprehensive list of IPS based LCD monitors.

VA Panel Technology

VA (Vertical Alignment) technology such as S-PVA/MVA are middle of the road LCD panels. They offer better color reproduction and wider viewing angles than TN panels, but have slower response times. They are very similar to S-IPS on paper. They also offer large viewing angles and good color reproduction, though not as good as S-IPS. The response times are generally worse than TN or S-IPS panels and there have been reports of a few panels that suffer from input lag, so VA technology may not be the best choice for fast paced gaming.
VA panels have the advantage of higher contrast ratios compared to other panel types, which leads to better black levels. The biggest disadvantage of VA based panels is color shifting. Color shifting is when the image viewed from one angle changes or "shifts" when viewed from a slightly different angle, making various uneven brightness levels across the display. This bothers many users to the point they will not even consider buying a VA based panel, while other users don't notice/aren't bothered by the color shifting. Color shifts also cause a loss of shadow detail in dark scenes when viewed directly from the center. VA panels are much easier to find compared to IPS because so many manufacturers use them. They offer better image quality than TN at lower price than IPS based panels.

TN Panel Technology

Example of the viewing angles commonly found with TN based LCD monitors.

TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are the most widely used panel type in the manufacture of LCD monitors. TN panels are cheap and offer excellent response times, making them perfect for fast paced gaming. The response times of current TN panels range from 2ms to 5ms. However, color reproduction, viewing angles and contrast ratios of TN panels are the worst of any current LCD panel technology. Unlike most 8-bit IPS/VA based panels, TN is only 6-bit and unable to display the full 16.7 million colors available in 24-bit true color. They can mimick the 16.7 million colors of 8-bit panels using a technique called dithering, but the results are unimpressive. TN panels have become popular with the average computer user because they are very inexpensive and currently dominate the LCD display market in availability.

Summary of LCD Panel Technology

• S-IPS/H-IPS panels are generally considered the best all around panel type, but they are more expensive and very few are made. High end, expensive. But IPS Produce In Korea.
• S-PVA/MVA panels offer better color reproduction and viewing angles than TN panels, have slightly worse response times than TN or S-IPS, offer the best contrast ratios, may suffer from color shifting or input lag and have higher availability than S-IPS panels. Mid range, fair price.
  VA Produce In China. But VA LCD TV is expensive more than that of IPS.  
• TN panels are very cheap and have the fastest response times, but suffer from inferior color reproduction, contrast ratios and viewing angles. Low end, inexpensive.

VA - Vertically Aligned LCD Monitors

VA Panel Technology Explained

VA - Vertically Aligned LCD Monitors

In late 1996, Fujitsu unveiled a TFT-LCD panel that used a new type of liquid crystal (LC) material that is naturally horizontal and has the same effect as IPS, but without the need for the extra transistors. Fujitsu used this material (which was developed by Merck of Germany) for its displays from mid-1997 onwards.

In the vertically-aligned (VA) system, the LC molecules are aligned perpendicular to the substrates when no voltage is applied, thus producing a black image. When a voltage is applied, the molecules shift to a horizontal position, producing a white image. With no voltage, all the LC molecules, including those at the boundaries with the substrates, are completely perpendicular. In this state the polarised light passes through the cell without interruption from the LC molecules and is blocked by the front polarise. Because the blockage is complete, the quality of black produced in this way is excellent and the viewer sees this black from all viewing angles.

As well as an excellent viewing angle of 140 degrees all round, these VA panels can achieve faster response speeds because there is no twisted structure and the LC molecules are simply switched between the vertical and horizontal alignments. They\'re also capable of maximum contrast ratios of the order of 300:1, with no power penalty.

LCD Panels: IPS vs VA

War between LCD Panels: IPS and VA

Hi Friends,

Let's Check out which is a Better Panel, IPS or VA.

IPS is In Plane Switching Panel, manufactures by LG Display, whereas VA i.e Vertical Alignment Panel is manufactured by Joint Venture of Samsung and Sony.

Points of Difference.
1. Though both claim a viewing angle of 178 degrees

But in actual finding if you view IPS panel there is no color change from any viewing angle, but for VA there is a color change (see the picture above).
So, if you are viewing LCD with IPS Panel from the any side of your room, even then there will be no distortion in the colors and you can enjoy a better viewing experience.

2. Faster Response Time
IPS panel gives you a better and faster response time of 4ms, whereas VA has a good but lesser response time of 8ms as compared to IPS.
So, you can enjoy Vivid and Clear Motion Picture on IPS Panel, i.e when you are watching action movie or Sports, you can enjoy motion pictures without any blur or distortion on IPS panel.

3. Check the Screen ReliabilityIPS panel is much more stable and reliable than VA panel. You can check this by simply rubbing your finger on the screen or by knocking on the screen.

IPS PANEL is more reliable and can take on mild actions of your cleaning and kids.

4. Does the Size really matter?
Yes, if you can get some extra without paying much for it.
IPS panels are available in 26", 32", 37", 42", 47" and so on.
VA panels are available in 26", 32", 37", 40", 46" and so on.
IPS Panels also gives an advantage of more viewable screen in 42" and 47" as compared to 40" and 46" in VA.
Brands in INDIA using IPS Panel are LG, HITACHI and many others and Brands in INDIA using VA Panel are SAMSUNG, SONY and many others.

Hope this article gave you an insight on Panels used in LCD TV.

What is the IPS Technology

LG’s IPS technology makes viewing a pleasure as consumers can now get a vivid and clear picture on their screens. In Plane Switching (IPS) technology - one of the world’s leading LCD technologies – not only innovatively aligns liquid crystal technology to increase the viewing angle but also ensures vivid and clear moving images because of excellent Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT) performance and variation. The touch panel is also vastly stable as moving picture image sticking does not occur.

Developed in 1996, IPS was initially meant to improve on the poor viewing angle and the poor color reproduction of twisted nematic (TN) panels at that time. Its name comes from the main difference from the TN display, with the crystal molecules moving parallel to the panel plane instead of moving perpendicularly. This change reduces the amount of light scattering in the matrix, which gives IPS its characteristic wide-viewing angles and good color reproduction. The technology also reduces image distortion because of a fast and stable response time.  It is pertinent to note here that the IPS panel gets it stable and accurate touching from its liquid crystal (LC) molecules’ structure. The LC alignment in IPS mode is horizontal, an advantage for the LC does not move far from the original position even when touched, while the LC alignment in normal panels is vertical, therefore, easily scattered.

The IPS panel is hard. Its horizontal switch molecular arrangement does not change even on being knocked. When the IPS panel is pressed down, the original colours remain, with some change of brightness.  Thus, comparing with the vertical arrangement made by the VA LCD technologies, the molecule reducibility of IPS technology is more powerful, and its panel is more stable and durable.

With a stable touch panel that the technology offers, IPS panels promise a truly world-class viewing experience. With no colour distortion from any angle because of no shift in gamma rays, IPS technology panels are least strenuous to human eyes.

IPS is also the main hardware of the iPads that have been launched recently. Apple endorses IPS technology for it is a premium display technology. IPS panels are preferred for their superior true color values, the most consistent image, a stable touch panel and a superior viewing angle as compared to other LCD technologies. A large, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display and an incredibly responsive multi-touch screen, have made the Apple iPads popular amongst consumers. Apple prefers IPS technology as the panels have several advantages over conventional panels that use TN (twisted nemantic) and VA (vertical alignment) display technologies especially when it comes to stable touch panels.

IPS LCDs meet the requirements of the sectors and professionals in the fields of design, medicine, print and space, etc. Graphic designers, major medical equipment makers like GE Medical, Philips Medical National Display prefer IPS panels. In fact, not only the professional sector, the home electric appliance sector has also applied IPS LCD for the unique advantages. It is known that the reason for the professional favor of IPS LCDs is the advantages of dynamic definition, color reducibility, visible angles and most importantly the touch panel which is vastly stable because moving picture image sticking does not occur.

IPS LCD products have thus won unanimous favor of professionals. With a stable touch panel that the technology entails in contrast to other LCD technologies, IPS technology is definitely the first choice of consumers!

Courtesy: LG India

New Technology, FPR Chages The world!

 HD Displays

LG Display thinks it can fix 3DTV with passive glasses & FPR

By Richard Lawler  posted Jan 5th 2011 5:16PM

So far 3DTV hasn't increased sales by as much as predicted, but LG Display thinks it can turn that around with three simple letters: FPR (branded Cinema 3D by its consumer arm earlier today.) Standing for Film Pattern Retarder, it places a thin film over the LCD (there's no plans for plasma products) that allows 3D viewing with cheap, passive polarized 3D glasses instead of expensive and heavier active shutter glasses. LG plans to stop manufacturing active shutter 3D displays soon. That will further open the door for FPR, due in April in the USA, to take over with a 4K2K display to arrive this year and plans for a OLED model in 2012. We took a tour through LG Display's house of active shutter horrors (as seen above, grammar aside) and sat in for the press conference, check the gallery for a few pictures plus more on what this means for 3D and a quick promotional video.

Ultimately, the tech demos reminded us more of the 60Hz vs. 120Hz vs. 240Hz motion demos TV manufacturers have used before, while the 3D picture on the comparison Samsung 3DTV with active glasses was jittery and full of crosstalk to a degree we'd never experienced before, FPR was moving free and easy. LG also looked to put to bed the assertion that FPR is not full HD because by its nature, each eye only receives 540 lines, instead of the usual 1080, stating that it's been certified full HD since the eyes do get a total of 1080.

We'll probably need a demo of live broadcast content to determine if there's a noticeable drop in res between the displays, as well as check out LG's claim that it causes no drop in brightness for 2D content. In the meantime, it's clear FPR will be everywhere in 2011 and LG sees the partners it supplies TV to like Vizio and Philips as behind the tech while retailers like Sam's Club and Wal-mart look forward to demo units they don't need to keep charged or worry about interference with. Will consumers appreciate the extra ease (and extra upfront cost) of passive 3D? We'll find out soon.

3D TV’s With FPR Panels In 2011?

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Guy Wilson

LG 84 Inch FPR 3D TV

Just to throw another acronym into the air, LG Display have announced that they’re going to produce “FPR 3D TV’s“, where the FPR stands for “film-type patterned retarder”, in case you were wondering.

It’s actually quite an impressive step forwards for 3D technology and it will be interesting to see whether the new 3D tech gets adopted as the “new standard”.

According to details from a launch ceremony held on December 15 in Beijing, FPR 3D screens boast…

Better brightness levels (which was always an issue for 3D TV’s because using 3D glasses decreases light levels)

A film layer for polarising the light (as opposed to the current glass screen) which cuts down on cost and weight.

The use of lightweight, polarised 3D glasses as worn at the cinema instead of the heavier, battery-powered LCD active shutter glasses. Polarised glasses also eliminate flickering and cross-talk, which the LCD “active shutter” glasses suffer from.

The ability to shape the 3D glasses to fit the face better using curved lenses instead of the flat LCD screens in active shutter glasses.

So, have LG Display stolen a march on the rest of the 3D industry? Will FPR panels be a bridge between existing 3D tech and autostereoscopic 3DTV’s of the future? Time will tell, but you won’t have to wait long. Apparently, LCD TV makers plan to offer a full lineup of 3D LCD TV sets featuring FPR panels from the beginning of 2011.

Interesting, I always thought that the drawback to 3DTV’s that use polarisation technology was that they didn’t offer “Full HD” due to the way light was sent to the glasses, but the information from LG Display is that the FPR TV’s will be Full HD.

IMS Research mentions the same concerns about resolution…

However, the FPR sacrifices resolution for these other improvements. Every other line is used for each eye. Thus, 1920 x 540 is being observed by each eye rather than 1920 x 1080. Higher resolutions have gained significant share in the TV market, although only Blu-ray movies are shown at 1920 x 1080p. Will consumers notice the difference? Will they care?

Apparently, there’s an expensive way to get Full HD with passive 3D displays using another liquid crystal layer and an extra pair of glass substrates. Perhaps that’s where the claim comes from.

From the same source we learn that Samsung, Sony and Panasonic are not on the FPR bandwagon, but LG, Philips, Vizio and other Chinese manufacturers are. It’ll be interesting to see if consumers fall in love with FPR.