Sony To Ride 3-D Wave With TVs, PS3, Blu-ray
Sony revealed its 3-D plans on the eve of IFA 2009 in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday.
The electronics giant plans "to lead the way in delivering new 3-D viewing experiences by bringing 3-D to the home in 2010," Sony said in a statement, adding that Sony will kick up its 3-D efforts across the Sony Group to build both 3-D hardware and content and seek new forms of 3-D entertainment.
Sony is jumping on the 3-D train early, capturing the latest entertainment trend fueled by a host of 3-D movies to hit theaters recently. Sony's 3-D push also comes as the number of 3-D movie screens explodes. Research from Screen Digest indicates that the number of 3-D movie screens worldwide will hit 7,000 by the end of 2009.
To take advantage of the 3-D wave, Sony said in a statement that it's planning to make Bravia LCD TVs, Blue-ray Disc products, Sony Vaio PCs and PlayStation 3 products 3-D-ready.
The goal, Sony said, is to offer several ways in which 3-D content can be viewed in the home, from 3-D movies to stereoscopic 3-D games.
Sony said the 3-D-compatible Bravia LCD TV will use frame sequential display and active-shutter glass systems along with Sony's own high frame rate technology to reproduce full "High Definition 2" quality 3-D images. The televisions will be the centerpiece of Sony's 3-D dreams, the company said.
Sony's 3-D onslaught also comes as the Blu-ray Disc Association launches a 3-D task force for a 3-D HD standard on Blu-ray discs. The association is looking for a way to make 3-D-compatible Blu-ray discs that will also include a standard, 2-D version.
Sony also joins a growing number of major companies looking to capitalize on 3-D technology. Other consumer electronics makers like Samsung, Mitsubishi and Panasonic have launched products based on some form of 3-D technology, with more expected to follow.