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Archive for the ‘3D Projectors’ Category

Recently, LG in the UK announced their new 3D projector, the CF3D which they claim is, “the world’s only polarized glasses 3D projector capable of transmitting full HD picture through a single lens“.

I don’t know about you, but when I first heard about 3DTV’s, I was hoping that projectors would be hard on their heels to get that true 3D-cinema experience into my house. Here at 3DTVreviewer, we even mentioned the CF3D back at the beginning of March, we were that keen!

3D Projection: Technical Hurdles

When I was checking into the possibility of 3D home cinema projectors, I read about all sorts of technical hurdles that face projectors trying to get 3D onto a projector screen, not least of which is that they effectively have to throw two images at the same time, one for the left eye and one for the right eye, which cuts the brightness significantly. One guy who reviewed the CF3D said, “In 3D it still managed a reasonably bright image at 92″ diagonal“, but also said, “Brightness is a definite issue, which means manufacturers have to recognize that 3D projectors as a group are going to need to have about twice the raw lumens available as traditonal projectors.”

Some sources even talk about having two projectors at home, each flinging an image for each eyeball at the screen, to compensate for the loss of brightness. If that’s anything like an indication of the amount of light being lost in a 3D projector-system, it’s a bad sign.

Also, you may need a “high gain” silver screen to project your images onto, to maximising the light reflected and because regular white screens lose the polarisation of the light as it’s reflected.

Cinema 3D Projection

If brightness is such an issue in the home setting, why isn’t it an issue at the cinema. After all, the RealD system, which is how most people experience 3D at the cinema, isn’t noticably darker when wearing the glasses, and they only use one projector in the RealD system which utilises the same polarisation effect to render stereoscopic images as the LG projector will in your home. Perhaps it all comes down to compensation by your brain. After all, if you close one eye, the world doesn’t appear half as bright using just the other eye to see, does it?

CF3D Specification Details

The LG CF3D has full HD capabilities (1920×1080), maximum projected screen size of 200 inches, 2500 ANSI lumens (1250 for 3D), a contrast ratio of 7000:1, 6 pairs of 3D glasses and, according to the LG UK blog, is “in stock now”!

Back at the beginning of January 2010, at CES, LG announced a world’s first full HD 3D projector. This clever beast uses two projection engines working in tandem to create the 3D effect up to 1080p/60 resolution and TruMotion at 120Hz, so that each eye will receive images at 60Hz.

Quite simply, bigger is better. If you want to get as close as you can to watching Avatar in 3D at home, you’re going to want a 3D projector, right? So, the question is, we’ve reached March 2010 and I can’t find anything new about the CF3D. Has it disappeared?

Here’s what we know about it from the January press release…

01/06/2010
LG ELECTRONICS THINKS OUTSIDE OF THE BOX: UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST FULL HD 3D PROJECTOR
Portable LED Projector Allows Consumers to Enjoy Excellent Display Quality – Anytime, Anywhere
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2010 – LG Electronics unveiled its new versatile 2010 video projector series, including CF3D, the world’s first Full HD, 3D Single Lens Type Projector and a new compact, lightweight projector (model HX300G), at the International Consumer Electronics Show this week (Booth #8205).

“Consumers are continuously looking for creative new solutions for both entertainment and business video display needs, and LG projectors provide the versatility and portability options for multiple applications,” said Jeff Dowell, vice president, business solutions, LG Electronics USA. “Whether customers desire compactness and portability for presentation use, or theater-like performance for a home installation, LG has the right solution.”

CF3D – More Life-Like Viewing
LG’s versatile CF3D is the world’s first Full HD Single Lens Type 3D Projector featuring an amazing brightness rating of 2,500 ANSI-lumens and a high contrast ratio of 7,000:1. This model also features TruMotion 120Hz for smoother images – a technology previously only seen on flat panel HDTVs.

LG’s CF3D enhanced technology gives consumers a more life-like viewing experience. Incorporating both Dual Engine and 3D Auto Picture Calibration technology, the CF3D offers superb color correction to help ensure images are displayed naturally. HDMI upscaling on the CF3D reduces on-screen color banding, providing smoother tonal transitions and more subtle gradation between colors. Specifications include:

• 0.61-inch SXRD™
• Full HD 1080p (1920×1080)
• 3D Auto Picture Calibration
• Dual Engine
• 2 HDMI 1.3, USB Input
• ISFccc
• Real Cinema

So, two months on, it’s time to ask LG, what has happened to this projector… stay tuned.

Update: online sources say the price will be $9,999 and it’s due in May 2010. I hope to confirm pricing and release dates shortly. Unlike the active shutter 3D glasses required to watch 3DTV in the home, the LG CF3D uses passive 3D glasses, as you’d wear in the cinema or to watch the LG 920 in pubs and clubs.

According to Which, LG has announced the world’s first 3D projector for the home cinema buff.

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LG says the CF3D projector combines two projection engines that work in tandem to create the 3D display. The projector will still require you to use specially-designed glasses in order to get the 3D effect, LG said at the launch of the CF3D project at the CES 2010 show held in Las Vegas.

1080p 3D TV
The projector displays in Full HD 1080p resolution, and with its TruMotion 100Hz technology LG promises it will deliver smooth motion.

The LG CF3D projector is expected to be available in the US later this year, though LG has yet to confirm a launch price.
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