LG announces 3D TV plans for the UK

 

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Posted on 10 Mar 2010 at 17:00

LG Electronics has announced plans to launch its full range of 3D TVs, along with a 3D Blu-ray player, in May this year.

The company says it's the first in the UK to roll out passive 3D LCD TVs (the LD920) to pubs nationwide and has teamed up with Sky to deliver live Premier League football matches prior to Sky rolling out its 3D service to UK homes later in the year.

LG will introduce its first full LED backlit 3D enabled TV (the LX9900) and 3D Blu-ray player (the BX580) this spring.

The new TV will provide "the ultimate in home entertainment" with better picture quality and the "unique" Infinia design, which virtually eliminates the space between the screen and bezel so they "seamlessly blend together". The LX9900 series are just 3.16cm thick as a result.

The LX9900 will be available in both 47in and 55in screen sizes and use active 3D technology, meaning you'll need to wear silly stylish active shutter glasses, which LG will be selling separately. The firm hasn't said how much they'll be, but we suspect they'll be over £100 a pop in line with other manufacturers. In some ways, we prefer this because we're still sceptical about 3D's attractiveness in the living room - I can't see myself sitting down to watch Eastenders in 3D while I'm eating my dinner, for example.

Beyond 3D, the LX9900 series includes built-in Freeview HD and LG's NetCast smart TV feature. This allows users to access their favourite internet applications from the comfort of their sofa. The new 3D TV's full LED backlight is combined with LG's Spot Control and TruMotion 400Hz technologies to deliver "premium clarity and movement" with "unsurpassed colour definition".

LG's BX580 Blu-ray player will be able to play 3D Blu-ray movies, as well as normal Blu-ray discs and DVDs. It also includes a number of features that aim to make accessing extra information easier. The main one is support for WiFi, which allows you to access applications such as YouTube, the weather or even photos stored online.

For those of you who, like us, are a little sceptical about 3D in the living room, they'll be able to experience it for themselves in pubs and clubs thanks to the LG 47 inch LD920 passive 3D TV. It's available for commercial use only and is said to be an affordable way to bring 3D quality images to the masses.

Sky confirmed at this year's Consumer Electronics Show that Sky 3D, the broadcaster's forthcoming 3D TV service, will be compatible across LG's entire range of 3D TVs. Sky 3D launches in pubs and clubs this April and then will be rolled out to more than 2.1 million Sky HD subscribers later this year. It will work with all passive and active 3D TVs coming to market.

Author: Tim Smalley