Sony Bloggie 3D Now Available, We Have Specs

For those of you who are ready to jump on the 3D bandwagon early, you will be pleased to know that Sony’s Bloggie 3D camera is now available and ready for your film making career. Capable of recording in 2D and 3D, this 1080p, 5 megapixel camera is capable of recording 4 hours of 2D footage on 8GB of memory and 80min of 3D footage. Of course, the real story here is the ability to record in 3D for just $249. 3D fans will be pleased to know that you can playback your 3D recorded content via the Bloggie’s 2.4-inch LCD without the need of any 3D glasses and if you are looking for a little larger screen, you can output the 3D footage to any 3D television via the onboard HDMI though glasses will be needed at that point. The Bloggie 3D specs include:

Sony Delays 3D Handycam (HDR-TD10)

Another technology victim of the tragic events that unfolded over a month ago in Japan and that continue to ail the country. Sony Ericsson recently announced that their Xperia Neo would be delayed till Q3 of this year and that the roll out of the Xperia Play and Arc would be slower then the company wanted, due to supply constraints from Japan. Now, the camcorder division of Sony will be taking a hit as well and will have to delay their up coming 3D Handycam, which was originally planned to be released this month.

The HDR-TD10 with its almost owl like design features two lenses and two CMOS sensors which enable the device to produce the 3D images in 1920×1080 Full HD 60p/24p recording with 10x optical zoom, even when filmed in 3D. This $1,500 beast which is set to to be the first consumer 3D camcorder also features a glasses free 3D playback on the camcorders 3.5-inch LCD screen. It should be pointed out like other 3D equipment offered by Sony, you can also film in 2D as well. This 3D Handycam is now looking at a May 13th release window for Japan and shortly after for the United States.

[Via TMCnet]

3D Blu-ray to Grow by 500% in 2011

In hindsight, it’s always easy to pick out a winning technology and point out the missteps for the unfortunate ones. A history lesson will point us towards when HDTV came out and it was considered a fad. Nobody wanted a wider TV; they still wanted a square tube that was larger. Now, chances are that your smartphone and coffee machine screen are in high definition. Nearly 5 years ago, Sony and others like LG, Pioneer, and Panasonic set out to bring HD via Blu-ray. It is a format that was relevant then and is relevant now with current discs being able to hold up to 50GB and prototypes that can handle over 200GB. Blu-ray has also opened the door to “Blu-ray Disc LIVE” where your movies can get updated content like trailers, behind-the-scenes, and access to interactive elements like IMDB and online chats. And of course, if it wasn’t for Blu-ray, we couldn’t really enjoy 3D content at home but of course, many nay-sayers said that Blu-ray was a fad and would be done in 5 years.

Being a supporter of all things 3D, I feel like as a culture, we have reached the same point. Many started calling 3D a fad and that it would die within a year or more. Of course, just like Blu-ray, it’s many of  the so-called established tech sites who are helping with this voice of writing off the technology because they can get a catchy title out of it but the whole cynicism of the industry is another topic for another time. I believe that those same tech sites who were wrong about Blu-ray will be wrong about 3D as well if recent studies have anything to say about it. In fact, IHS Screen Digest has released a new report which sees the 3D Blu-ray market growing by 500% in 2011 to reach a sales status of  $214 million. With an expected 65 3D Blu-ray titles to be released in 2011 alone, 3D Blu-ray sales are expected to hit $900 million by 2014.

“Consumers are snapping up Blu-ray 3D titles because of a number of positive occurrences in the home 3D segment,” said Richard Baxter, video research analyst at IHS. “These developments include increasing consumer awareness of 3D technology, rising 3D hardware sales and an expanding catalog of 3D films for the home environment.

“Meanwhile, the arrival of more Blu-ray 3D titles in retail stores will enhance the technology’s profile among consumers and encourage 3D hardware adoption,” he also said “BD3D-enabled households are also likely to buy more Blu-ray 3D titles if they have a larger slate to choose from.”

Sony, Discovery and IMAX to Film World’s First Native 3D War Documentary Series

Sony has made it very apparent that they are here to stick with 3D and that they are in it for the long haul. During CES 2011, the electronic giant unveiled a massive new lineup of high definition televisions, with 16 out of the 27 new Bravia  models for 2011 being 3D and costing just over a $1,000. That’s not all though, as the company which owns Sony Pictures and PlayStation understands that without content, any format is doomed. In edition to their new 3D lineup of televisions, Sony also announced many new Cybershot camera’s that are able to capture 3D still images for a little over $200 and will introduce in May a Bloggie 3D for $250 which is able to film in 3D.

Still, the company knows that home made 3D content which is very important to the adoption of the standard is only part of the puzzle. That’s why besides releasing 3D movies in theaters such as the Green Hornet, Sony, in partnership with IMAX and Discovery has launched their own 3D channel called 3net for DirecTV subscribers which offers 3D content around the clock. With this partnership in full swing, the trio now want to film the worlds first native 3D war documentary series and have already begun principal photography. The documentary which is titled The Civil War 3D will transport viewers back in time, retelling the war’s most pivotal moments both on and off the battlefields from the unique perspective of both sides in the historic conflict. Sony hopes to release the mini series in Fall of 2011.

“Shooting in native 3D gives us the unique ability to bring an entirely new level of depth and emotion to this epic time in history with groundbreaking storytelling that simply hasn’t been possible until now,” said Cosgrove.  “As well, THE CIVIL WAR 3Dseries further reflects our ongoing mission to provide the kind of immersive in-home 3D experience available nowhere else on television.”

[via PR Newswire]

Sony Would Like Developers to Consider PlayStation Move and 3D Support

Sony has been on the forefront of cutting edge with the PlayStation 3, creating a device that, unlike previous PlayStation units and other consoles on the market, can be expanded upon and offer new features that even those who bought the PlayStation during its launch can enjoy. Over the last 9 months, the PlayStation 3 has been updated via software to allow for 3D games and movies. Shortly after that, Sony also released the PlayStation Move, which continues to be the most advanced and precise motion sensor gaming attachment on the market. In order to show consumers and other developers the capability of these new technologies, Sony has taken it upon itself to offer these advacements in some of the hottest games of 2010 and 2011. Titles such as Gran Turismo 5, LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3, MotorStorm Apocalypse and the upcoming Uncharted 3, Socom 4 and Infamous 2, will all support native 3D. Current titles on the market such as LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3 and again the upcoming Socom 4 and soon to be released Move Heroes game, featuring some of PlayStation most well known characters, like Jak & Dexter, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly, will support PlayStation Move on top of native 3D.

Now, Sony wants developers outside of the Sony family to leverage these PlayStation 3 features and incorporate them into their games to offer a more unique and rich environment for the players.

“Whenever we come out with new technology, whether it’s Move or 3D, there is always the request that goes out to the [development] teams that says, ‘Hey it would be great if you could implement it.’ We know that adds to the layer of not only the marketing message we have access to but it also adds to the availability of different Sony channels that we can broadcast our message out to,”

Sony has gone on record and states that in no way or shape is it requiring developers to offer these. Instead, it wants them to look at games like Killzone 3 which has been said to be one of the best looking games ever created on the PlayStation 3 which also offers the most native and natural Move experience while still implementing 3D. The point here is that developers can add these features to their game without worrying about tapping out the PlayStation 3 or the need to sacrifice quality.

Hit the jump for a full list of PlayStation Move and 3D-supported games.

Vudu Streaming Comes to All 2011 Sony Blu-ray Players

Following in the footsteps of the PlayStation 3, which received Vudu streaming early this year, Sony and Vudu are teaming up to bring this video streaming to all 2011 Sony Blu-ray players. Via a system update, not only will owners of the 8 Blu-ray players get access to 1080p footage in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound, but they will also have access to Vudu’s growing library of 3D movies. Hit the jump for an official press release.

Sony to Release 4 New AV Receivers in Spring, Native 3D Support, Start at $230

Who said that Spring cleaning had to be limited to just your floors and blinds. Instead, take this Spring as a time to clean out your old AV equipment and upgrade to something with full 3D, iPhone and DLNA support with a reasonable starting price of $230. During CES 2011, Sony showed off an extensive lineup of televisions. Making great strides on prior year, all new 2011 Sony 3D Bravia’s will lose their 3D transmitter bar for a built in functionality. In order to help adoption of this standard, starting this year, Sony will also be expanding their 3D offering to 16 out of their 27 televisions, with a starting price of a little over $1,000, making it much more accessible then before. With those TVs set to launch in the near future, Sony is also taking the time to upgrade their AV Receivers with 4 new models, the STR-DN1020, STR-DH820, STR-DH720, and the STR-DH520. Hit the jump for full specs, as well pricing and official press release.

Sony Bravias to Display Two Different 3D Images on the Same Set

As much fun as online multiplayer can be, nothing beats having a friend or two over to play some multiplayer games. For those of us who grew up on gaming , the PSone and PS2 era, as well as the N64  had games like Goldeneye and Twisted Metal, which were centered around a group of friends playing the hell out of a game. Some games would offer LAN support, but that required multiple TVs and consoles. Instead, most games offered split view on the same screen. Of course, no matter if you had a 27-inch TV or a 60-inch set, you couldn’t help but have a wandering eye at times, especially if you kept getting snipped in the head or tripped on one too many proximity mines.

With advances in television engines and 3D offerings, Sony is looking to change this in their future Bravia televisions. The guys over at Pocket-lint had the opportunity to get a demo by Mick Hocking, senior director for SCEE and director of World Wide Studio’s 3D Stereoscopic Team in London, where two players were able to play Killzone 3 on the same PS3 and on the same Bravia 3D TV, without actually seeing each others screen. With this new technology, each player is able to get the entire screen, dedicated to them as if they were on a separate television with no quality loss.

In order to achieve this, each player had to sit at a particular angle and look towards the screen while somebody sitting in the middle would see a blurred image of the two. The concept and idea behind such a technology is limitless as people have been fighting over the wandering eye and the end game results from it for years. And now, maybe you can finally watch your Lakers while the missus watches What Not to Wear. Though still in development, what makes this exciting is that Sony was able to show this with currently available devices like the PlayStation 3 and Killzone 3 which shipped today and not rely on specific demo materials. What do you think would be the best time to enable a dual video mode? Let us know.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Sony Releases 3D Projector VPL-VW90ES

We’ve told you before about the upcoming Sony SXRD 3D Projector with the mind blowing 150,000:1 contrast ratio. With the projector out now, you can expect a $9,999 price tag on this unit. For the home theater enthusiasts, this will be your first real taste of 3D via a projector in the household. Remember, while the price might seem high to those who traditionally only purchase LCDs, this price is normal for those with higher-end systems and projectors. Sony is also doing another first and that is to include all of the custom install materials needed in which they are labeling as part of their “Elevated Standard” brand. Just as a reminder, here are some specs:

• 1080p
• 3D Ready (no 3D transmitter bar required)
• Two 3D Glasses
• 240hz
• 150,000:1 contrast ratio
• 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness
• 22db0 fan noise (insanely low)

Sony also took this time to introduce the VPL-VWPRO1 SXRD which is part of their new 2D projector lineup. With a higher brightness than its 3D brother (1,300 ANSI lumens) the new VWPRO1 does carry a lower contract ratio of 85,000:1 and obviously lacks 3D. Look for an early October release with a $3,400 price tag.

Hit the jump as always for a full press release.

Sony’s 3net 24/7 3D Channel Launches on Feb. 13th on DirecTV

Making good on its promise of delivering more content, Sony, in partnership with IMAX and Discovery, is launching their 3D channel called 3net. Scheduled to go live at 8 p.m. this Sunday night on channel 107, this will be the 3rd available 3D channel on DirectTV, next to n3D and ESPN 3D. The channel will currently be available on DirecTV but Sony has indicated that they wish to bring this 24/7 3D channel to as many providers as possible. Sony’s plans for 3net are to provide the “largest library of native 3D entertainment content in the world by the end of 2011“.  The channel plans to kick things off with:

• China Revealed (8:00 pm)
• Into the Deep (9:00 pm)
• Forgotten Planet (10:00 pm)

Sony plans to feed 3D TV owners with a new 3D show every night at 9 p.m. for the month of February. You can see the official press release from Sony after the jump.

Sony Cybershot HX9V Leaked, Offers 16X Optical Zoom!

So here is a late friday leak for you. If you’ve been considering getting a compact camera but have always been turned off by their low optical zoom factor which usually sits around 5x with some higher end models giving you 10x, Sony’s upcoming Cybershot DSC-HX9V will have the cure for your blues. This tiny pocket sized camera is capable of offering 16 megapixel with 16X optical zoom which is quite different then digital zoom which takes away from your picture quality. This high level zoom, mixed with a Sony G Lens and Exmor R CMOS means that your pocket camera can not only deliver beautiful photos, but handle them in low light situations as well, making it great for vacations when you don’t care to take a DSRL with you. The camera is rumored to record in 1080p at 10fps but we have yet to verify that. Now hit the jump for additional details!

Sony Aims to Make 3D Personal in 2011

It was just a little over a year ago when a little movie, one which audiences and critics alike were unsure if it was going to flop or not due to its reported $300-$500 million budget, came into theaters in 3D. Now, with nearly $3 billion in the bank from just the tickets, Avatar is the highest-grossing movie of all time and will probably be for a decade to come. But Avatar’s effect was not just limited to the film industry where we can just write it off as a Hollywood blockbuster. Instead, Avatar has affected the way we watch movies, the kind of televisions we buy, and the technology that will be in your next camera, camcorder and handheld portable. Just a little over a year after the film’s release, manufacturers like LG, Toshiba, Samsung, and Sony are out in full arsenal with their 3D televisions, so you can watch a movie like Avatar or Despicable Me in 3D at home. In 2011, 16 out of Sony’s 27 Bravia televisions will feature built-in 3D with no 3D transmitter bar needed. In two months’ time, Nintendo is releasing the 3DS, their next handheld portable gaming machine that will display games in 3D. Just in case you get pulled into a 3D event, you can now look good and not need to borrow a pair of glasses as Oakley and other high end companies will be releasing their own stylish 3D glasses. Sure 2010 might have had some sour points with films like Clash of the Titan (though I enjoyed the movie myself) and The Last Airbender with their horrible last minute rush job of up converting a movie that was not made in 3D to be in 3D. Still look how far we have come already. Tron was a smash hit with it’s 3D and Alice in Wonderland, another post converted movie hit the $1 billion mark as well and animated films like Pixars Toy Story 3 and How to Train a Dragon which were all also released in 3D. Now we are seeing more and more movies being filmed in 3D from the beginning like the up coming Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the Sony Pictures Spider-man reboot and we are seeing some of Hollywoods top directors like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg plan their upcoming projects with 3D in mind.

Of course as I pointed out, 3D is not going to be limited to just the movie experience. Nintendo will indeed be pushing out their Nintendo 3DS in two months and that will introduce 3D to a large audience, who will grow up with 3D as just the standard just like how kids in the last 7-10 years might view HD as nothing new. Remember how much flack HD got when it was first introduced and many wrote it and Blu-ray off as just a gimmick and a fad. Fast forward a few  years and both are the industry and consumer accepted standard. Lets also not forget Sony when it comes to gaming and 3D, Sony is making sure that their AAA games like Gran Turismo 5, LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3 and Uncharted 3, along with their new gaming attachment, the PlayStation Move are offered to consumers in 3D. If you haven’t had a chance to view these games in 3D, I highly recommend you visit your nearest Sony Style store as they will blow you away with how crisp, deep and beautiful they are. Still, when all is said and done, gaming is just another avenue of 3D that is being catered to the audiences by those who have the power to create them; big companies and it was apparent during CES that Sony understood, that in order for 3D to succeed, they needed to bring the technology down to the consumer level and give the public the capability to create 3D for themselves for cheap. After watching and playing with their 2011 arsenal of products, I now believe.

You see, for any real product to catch on, it cannot be something that is just controlled by the elite. Sure all products come to market higher priced than what consumers might want, but like all technologies, it will eventually get cheaper as consumers adapt and newer and better versions of them are released. Years ago, you couldn’t get a 3D TV for under $5,000, and now you cannot find a TV that is not HD. Even the $500 television you find at Wal-mart is in fact HD (now this isn’t insinuating that all HD is the same, but rather the fact that anybody can have access to it). But that’s really only one avenue to view HD in; how about recording? Every single camera on the market now has some form of HD recording in it. From the thinnest smart phone on the market, the iPhone 4, which can record 720p video, to pocket camcorders, like the Flip HD, which can be bought for $150 with 8GB of memory, consumers can record HD in all sorts of ways without really thinking about them. If you own a Mac, you can open iMovie and start editing your HD video in minutes and soon after that be posting it to sites like YouTube and Facebook. Through the consumer, HD has become the norm and the standard, due to its ease of handling and low entry price point. I’m here to tell you that 3D will be the same and Sony is leading the way.

Meet the 2011 XBR, the XBR-HX929. We Have Specs

Though the naming scheme might have changed from the previous XBR6-7-8 and 9 style, Sony realizes that the XBR name is not only still strong in the home theater world, but that consumers know that it stands for something: quality. The XBR has been the pinnacle of Sony televisions for well over a decade. Only the biggest, thinnest, and most feature-packed of Sony’s televisions get branded as an XBR. And oh yea, they have the best damn picture quality available too. The XBR-HX929 is no different.

In April, consumers can get their hands on this beefy new TV, starting with 46, 55 and 65-inches, though the latter will be available in August due to the new glassing used on them across the XBR lineup and the more difficult process of producing it in the 65-inch variation. What new glassing? Corning’s Gorilla Glass, of course, which allows for a thinner, lighter, and stronger screen material than anything else on the market, setting itself apart from other available televisions.

First let’s cover some of the specs and features you would expect from this 1080p Bravia. Internet functionality, a feature that Sony has been pushing for the last two years, is front and center on this unit with services like Sony Music Unlimited Streaming Service and Video on Demand ; Qriocity, as well as Netflix, Pandora, HuluPlus, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Crackle, and Blip.tv. So although it might not have Google TV built into it like some of other Sony’s offering, it’s damn close. Of course, all of those services can be enabled via the  integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n). 3D of course is fully enabled in this flagship Bravia with a built in transmitter bar, something that is now standard on all Sony Bravia’s.

VUDU Gains 3D Movies, PS3 Now Offers Another Avenue for 3D Content

Without a doubt, Sony would not have won the battle of HD-DVD vs. the Sony backed Blu-ray, had every PlayStation not been equipped with a Blu-ray player. Since then, Sony has been able to leverage the PlayStation 3’s Blu-ray player to give developers extra space to create their games and owners of the PS3 the capability to watch the latest movies on Blu-ray. This combination of next generation gaming and movie watching experience though was costly to Sony during the initial three years of the PlayStation 3, has now locked Blu-ray as the winning future format for movies and continues to be a big draw of the PS3.

What many might not have seen though is the fact that Sony will once again be using the PlayStation 3 as a means to draw audiences to 3D. Currently, the PlayStation 3 offers a few games in 3D with the list expanding heavily during 2011 with all first party PlayStation 3 games being in 3D. On the movie side of the PlayStation Network Side (PSN), Sony also currently offers 9 movies for download or rent which are in 3D, giving those who own a 3D television some much needed content. But Sony isn’t looking to go at this alone, instead now announcing that movie streaming app VUDU is now gaining 3D movies. The free app which just recently saw an update is again gaining a new server side update that allows users to rent movies in 3D. That’s not all, VUDU has also stated that they are looking to soon provide users with the option of buying movies in 3D as well.

So if you are a current 3D TV owners with a PlayStation 3, I highly recommend you picking up one of these devices as it will be the source of a lot of upcoming 3D content from Sony and partners alike. If you already own a PlayStation 3 and are on the fence about 3D, look at this as a clear sign that Sony and it’s partners are serious about 3D and it’s not something that is going away.

3D Viewing Party – Lakers vs. Nuggets

If you live anywhere near Costa Mesa and are either a fan of the NBA, Lakers, Nuggets or just wanna view some free 3D content, then head over to the Sony Style store on Friday, January 21st for some “food and beverages, including beer and wine, as well as some giveaways to keep the excitement level high during timeouts and commercials.” So there you have it folks. 3D, Lakers and free. Sounds like a win to us.

Hit the jump for full details.

Sony Introduces 27 New Bravia Models for 2011, Most with Internet and 3D Built In!

During CES, Sony made it apparent that they want to give their Bravia lineup a refresh across the board and pack them with features not found on other sets. This is in part, the evolution of the Bravia televisions that began their internet connectivity over two years ago and the 3D expansion that Sony started a year ago. Now for their 2011 lineup, a whopping 27 new models across 9 lineups is being released. 22 of the models will be gaining full internet TV connectivity (only the 5 starting models don’t gain this feature) while the top 16 models will be getting transmitter free 3D built in. Some of the internet TV services will Sony Music Unlimited Streaming Service and Video on Demand ; Qriocity, as well as Netflix, Pandora, HuluPlus, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Crackle, Blip.tv. Other features to set the Bravia lineup apart from others will be Skype connectivity for select devices which with a Sony 720p camera (CMU-BR100) will give you access to any other user out there with Skype. Having played with the feature during CES, I can happily report that the features works effortlessly and smoothly.

While in middle of watching a show, if somebody contacts you while you are logged into your Skype account via your Bravia set, a small notification will appear on the TV which you can then choose to accept or decline the call. Once accept, your TV show will get muted and reduced to the bottom corner and the video call will go live, full center on the screen. Here, you will also have full Skype functionality, meaning you can call other numbers and connect to any other Skype enabled device.

Bravia Television with Skype, Live!

Sony also debuted the XBR-HX929, their new flagship model with some great industry firsts. Besides having the built in 3D, 720p Skype calling and  internet TV functionality, Gorilla Glass will be making it’s way into the model as the new screen, allowing for thinner, lighter, and stronger screen material. Like it’s predecessor, full-array local dimming LED backlight is back with Sony’s new Bravia engine, the X-Reality PRO Engine which has been built from the ground up to offer better color and image accuracy. To top off all these features, Sony is also introducing what they call MotionFlow XR960. Those who are familiar with MotionFlow will know that first we started off with 120hz and higher end TV’s later gained 240hz to match the quality of Plasma TV’s by reducing the ghosting effect that LCD televisions can have and this can be more apparent with 3D content. Now the XBR-HX929 will offer 960hz, almost quadrupling previous offerings and having witnessed it, it’s damn impressive. The XBR-HX929 will come in a 65-inch (XBR-65HX292, which is available in August 2011), 55-inch (XBR-55HX929), and 46-inch (XBR-46HX929) and will be out in April.

Bravia Monolithic Design

Hit the jump for the full press release and spec offerings of the 9 new model lineups from Sony, as well as additional pictures.

 

Sony Bloggie Goes 3D for Cheap, 1080p Video Capture

I have to say that one of my favorite Sony products from CES 2011 was not only one that I didn’t see coming, but also one of the cheapest offerings in their lineup. I had written previously that the Bloggie Touch would more than likely get an update, and I was right on that matter. In fact, there will be two different Bloggie models coming out in the next two months. What I didn’t expect was for one to offer 3D recording and to be priced so low.

First I will get what I consider the more boring of the series out of the way. The next generation of the Bloggie is being dubbed the Bloggie Duo (MHS-FS2) which sports two different LCD lenses. The first is a 2.7-inch on the back for video and picture playback and 2.0-inch on the front under the lens, perfect for when you want to utilize the 5.1 megapixel built in camera to take some self portrait shots. The Duo will now come with a LED light and be available in violet, green, pink, and white for $170 for the 4GB model in March. Next up is actually the new entry model Bloggie (MHS-FS1) which is thinner then the previous Bloggie and the new Bloggie Duo. Coming in at $150 for the 4GB, this white and black only model comes with just the single back 2.7-inch LCD. It should be noted that both models come with Sony’s Sensitive Exmor™ CMOS sensor and Auto Focus/Auto Macro lenses. Now hit the jump to read all about one of my favorite CES products, the Bloggie 3D.

Sony Ditches 3D Transmitter Bar on all 2011 Bravia Televisions

During CES, I had the pleasure to have some great conversations with different Sony engineers and get their takes on different products and features from Sonys many current and future offerings. In the mix of all the many different product launches and 27 new Bravia models from Sony, I both noticed something interesting and later confirmed something that seemed to have gotten missed by almost all other outlets. Sony has ditched the $50 3D transmitter bar on all of their 2011 3D TVs. With the current model of Bravia’s in the market, only the high end model, the LX900 offers 3D built in with no transmitter bar where the rest of the series like the HX and EX were dubbed 3D ready, meaning that you could buy a 3D transmitter bar and give it 3D. But with all 2011 Bravia models, 3D will be built in no transmitter bar needed. What’s even more amazing is when you take in the fact that 16 of Sony’s 2011 Bravia’s will be 3D, starting with models as small as 27-inches which will place them well under the $1,000 price and in the price range of many consumers.

Improvements to this year’s 3D models include panel drive enhancements that deliver quicker response time helping to reduce crosstalk, 5:5 pull down for a more realistic cinematic movie experience, built-in 3D emitters on all 3D models.
Expanding the 3D content users can view, the new BRAVIA 3D capable models can display 3D images taken with Sony’s new Cyber-shot cameras like the DSC-WX9 via USB input.

Sony to Buy IMAX? (Updated)

Rumors over the last week have been pointing to the buy out of IMAX theaters by Sony Corp. With the big launch 3D had during 2010 and 2011 promising to bring 3D to more devices, both professional and consumer, the move does make sense. Especially if you consider that IMAX plays a big roll when it comes to 3D movies, a venue that Sony’s movie division; Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures can take great advantage of. Still, it’s not like upcoming 3D movies from Sony like The Green Hornet, The Smurfs, Men In Black 3D and the Spider-man reboot wouldn’t have been shown in 3D without IMAX. But with a chain of 3D theaters under its belt, Sony can take advantage of the screens and offering and not only use its own 4k 3D projectors which are considered some of the best, but to also hold events to show off 3D to consumers like the upcoming Lakers game. With Sony using their own equipment in the mix, Sony can make sure that the 3D experience is at the highest quality and wow audiences the proper way, in order to have them buy in the 3D experience, something that currently consumers are mixed about. But alas, if you were looking for  CES announcement to confirm or deny it, you will be disappointed though the two companies will continue collaborate on the upcoming 3D channel.

Update:

Based on the rumor, IMAX stocks have hit a 52 week high of $32 per share though they are now trading back to their normal value of $27, due to the lack of any announcements between the two companies.

Watch Lakers vs. Suns in 3D at Sony Style Viewing Party

Though not as ideal as watching a team live, for those who cannot attend their favorite team’s game, 3D is the next best answer. It gives them the feeling of actually being court-side. To help promote 3D to sport enthusiasts, Sony is putting together a 3D viewing party for the upcoming Lakers vs. Suns game that will take place on January 5th. Attendance is free, as long as you register with Sony so they can save  you a spot. So if you want to get some free 3D action or you’ve been curious about how 3D will look outside of movies, this event might be the perfect research opportunity for you, or at least that’s what you can tell the wife.

Join us on Wednesday, January 5, as the defending NBA World Champion Los Angeles Lakers travel out to the desert to take on their divisional rivals, the Phoenix Suns, in a game featured nationally on both ESPN and ESPN3D.

Visit with your fellow Laker fanatics and tech, entertainment, and basketball enthusiasts during our tweetup/mixer, then stay to watch the game, showcased on both brilliant Sony 3D HDTV and Sony Internet TV (powered by Google).

Plus, what’s a game without some snacks?  Well, whatever it is, it’s just not as good as one with snacks, so Sony will provide the perfect complement of food and beverages, including beer and wine.  And, just for fun, Sony will provide a few giveaways to some lucky fans as well.

We look forward to seeing you at the Beverly Center Sony Style store at 7:15 pm (tip off at 7:30 pm)..

See you there!

[Via SonyStyle]

Sony Offers the Best 3D LCD TV, According to Consumer Reports

Over the last several months, Consumer Reports has done a lengthy amount of tests on different LCD 3D TVs from Sony, Samsung, and LG. Using exclusive 3D test patterns developed in-house, as well as 3D Blu-ray movies and recorded 3D sports broadcasts, Consumer Reports pitted these units against each other to test the 3D quality, including black level, brightness, image detail, and viewing angle. Another major factor that comes into play with 3D is the leveling of ghosting a TV produces, especially in 3D. This is something that plasma TVs do not have to deal with, but LCDs are limited to their refresh rate and thus ghosting can appear.

Of the 14 sets that were tested, Consumer Reports found that “Sony’s LCD TVs came closest to the plasmas: ghosting was minimal” and they offered a much better viewing angle, compared to that of Samsung and LG.

“It remains to be seen whether 3D TV is just a novelty or a new product category in the consumer electronics space,” said Paul Reynolds, electronics editor for Consumer Reports. “But, our tests show that there are some fine 3D TV sets out there for those consumers eager for a new experience.”

For those who are still on the fence about a 3D TV, I highly recommend going to a store with a proper 3D setup and really experience it hands on. On top of that, the difference between a 3D-ready TV (one that will need a transmitter bar like the Sony HX810 series) and the not-3D TVs like the EX700 is about $350. I look at it like this: a TV isn’t something I purchase once a year or even every other year. I would much rather spend a little more and know that my TV will be able to do 3D if I ever want to get into it, no matter if its 6 months later or a year later instead of needing to invest into a new TV down the line just to experience 3D. I know personally I will be getting a 3D TV this upcoming summer and I’m already starting to invest in my 3D Blu-ray catalogue.

[Via Consumer Reports]