(Credit: Tech-On)

Glasses-less 3D may have been one of the highlights of CES 2011, but Samsung says it won't have models available on the market until 2014.

Samsung may be concentrating on 3D TVs utilising active shutter goggles at the moment, but this has not stopped the company from developing glasses-free versions behind closed doors, according to Tech-On.

The electronics giant recently showed off a prototype during the FPD China tradeshow held in Shanghai. The 55-inch LCD panel delivers nine viewpoints and an optimal viewing distance of between 2.5m and 6m under 3D mode, and can be easily toggled to display 2D content.

Less impressive is its dated CCFL backlighting and the resulting low 4000:1 contrast, though its spokesperson was quick to add that this panel can be swapped out with an LED version.

If Samsung's TVs are three years away from commercialisation, they're a far cry from Toshiba's tentative second-half of 2011 release. However, Toshiba's date was announced before the latest Japan earthquake and tsunami, so it may change.

• Samsung PS50C7000
• Toshiba Regza 46WL700A
• CES 2011: top TV trends
• Samsung D7000

Text entry using a regular TV remote is, more often than not, an agonising experience.

With internet and smart TVs becoming increasingly popular, this is a teething issue that most TV makers will have to resolve. An alternative is to provide a free app with QWERTY keyboard support, though this is currently available primarily for iOS and Android devices.

Samsung is working around this bottleneck by launching a QWERTY flip remote endowed with a complete set of number and character keys for its new smart TVs on the underside.

Other notable features for the remote include a directional pad, teletext keys and a monochrome display on an angled brushed-metal shell. The opposite side of this clicker also provides familiar conventional controls such as volume and channel rockers, as well as video playback and recording buttons. However, the QWERTY flip remote, which is due next month in the US, costs a hefty US$99.99.

Samsung has indicated that the controller will be launched in Australia, but pricing has yet to be announced.

• LG BD550
• Samsung PS50C7000
• Sony Bravia KDL40ZX1
• Samsung LED UA55C9000

Upside

This Sony projector is one of the few models to support 2D-to-3D conversion on top of 3D Blu-ray, side-by-side and top-and-bottom 3D formats. While the simulated 3D effects vary from one film to another, this nice-to-have function is useful for viewing regular DVDs and Blu-rays till 3D content is more readily available in the market. Unlike its rivals, the projector sports an on-board 3D signal emitter and is bundled with two pairs of active shutter goggles. The eyewear's refresh rate, as well as brightness level and 3D depth, can be adjusted to eliminate flickering under room lighting. These glasses can be used for the company's Bravia 3D TVs, too.

In the 2D visual department, the VPL-VW90ES comes with Sony's latest SXRD optical engine offering a high 150,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. This level of performance gives it an edge over the competition, though we would take it with a pinch of salt as there's no industry standard to measure this value. What we do know is its 240Hz frame interpolation system, dubbed Motionflow, will smoothen film judder for 2D and ensure fluid 3D pictures by delivering 120Hz refresh rate to each eye. Rounding it up are the projector's motorised lens shift, zoom and lens cover which are particularly handy for ceiling installation.

Downside

Two pairs of 3D glasses are bundled with the projector, but realistically, if you're watching a huge projected image (up to 300-inch diagonal maximum), you're likely to want to have friends over and so will need to stump for more glasses.

Also, since the projector puts out a reflected 3D image, the glasses require additional lens filters, something you don't need to worry about with 3D televisions.

Outlook

This model did score an Editors' Choice gong from our colleagues in CNET UK late last year, so it is undoubtedly a fine projector. Five or so years ago, AU$10,000 projectors were not uncommon, but prices have been drifting downward significantly of late. Whether its integrated 3D capabilities are worth the price premium again will depend upon your budget.

Should you want the same SXRD display technology and be willing to live sans 3D and with a lower 80,000:1 dynamic contrast, you may want to check out Sony's VPL-HW20, a projector in the same range that comes in at a more reasonable AU$4299.

With CNET Asia

• Sony VPLHW15
• ViewSonic PJD6381 3D projector
• Mitsubishi HC3800
• Sanyo PLC-XU355

Despite its affordability, he EH-TW3600 is surprisingly well endowed with the Epson's highly matured 3LCD technology. Highlights include a powerful 2.1x optical zoom and wide lens shift handy for flexible installation. With this feature, you could enjoy a huge 100-inch screen with the projector at a distance of just 3m. Epson claims there's no detrimental effect on the picture quality.

Another unique proposition is the EH-TW3600's bright 2000 lumens output handy for countering mild ambient light for movie buffs who don't have the luxury of owning a dedicated, darkened entertainment room. A/V connectivity is also taken care of via two HDMI 1.3a inputs for Blu-ray players, consoles and set-top boxes.

• Epson EH-TW3500
• BenQ W1000
• Mitsubishi HC3800
• Sony VPLHW15

Hardcore GT5 players can join three or five high-definition televisions together for an extended field of view. This, however, requires an equal number of PlayStation 3 consoles and copies of GT5, as well as a high-speed Ethernet hub to link up all the hardware.

There are some caveats, though. The multi-monitor function is incompatible with two-player split-screen mode, B-Spec races and DIY tracks created by the course maker. Check out the video below from the Taipei Game Show for a quick demonstration of a GT5 five-screen set-up.

If you're still keen, or just curious, Sony has posted up detailed instructions on how you can set-up this multi-monitor configuration.

Via CNET Asia, Kotaku and TweakTown

• Gran Turismo 5
• Gran Turismo for PSP
• GT5 delayed until Christmas
• GT5 on sale Dec 23 in Japan?

If you own a full suite of Sony A/V gear, ranging from a Bravia TV to home cinema system and PS3 console, this is definitely a remote worth checking out.

The new CECH-ZRC1 has built-in infrared (IR) and Bluetooth connectivity to operate all these devices and comes loaded with specialised gaming controls.

This clicker also runs on AAA batteries compared with the older PS3-only model using AA cells. The remote is expected to be out by the end of March in Japan for around US$44. Details are scant at the moment, though it seems like there's still no backlight for the buttons.

Mum's the word on the availability outside of Japan and we wonder whether it will even appeal to consumers who are not Sony diehards.

Via Engadget HD

• Sony PlayStation 3 Slim
• Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3
• Sony Bravia KDL40W4500
• Sony Bravia KDL40E4500

• Healthy 3D depth
• Overall sharp pictures
• Natural colours and good blacks
• Polished design
• Abundant tweaking options

• Excessive crosstalk in 3D
• Uncomfortable 3D goggles
• No 2D-to-3D conversion
• Poor noise reduction
• Cranky DLNA playback

The LED-edge-lit Regza WL700-series is Toshiba's first foray into the 3D TV market. Available in 46 and 55 inches, these new panels rank highly in the aesthetics department thanks to a collaboration with design house Jacob Jensen. Matching the televisions' handsome looks are the company's proprietary technologies, such as Resolution+ which provides superb video-upscaling, though we found its 3D performance somewhat lacking compared with our reference Panasonic VT20 plasma.

Design

This handsome 46-incher is unlike any past Regzas we have reviewed, thanks to design cues from Jacob Jensen. The 28.9mm-thin panel has a clean look with a flush front like Sony's monolithic design, a narrow bezel and chrome accents. It also comes with an elaborate swivel stand in a brushed metal finish, cut with a hole in the centre and a V-angled shaft. Rounding it up are luxurious touch controls with backlighting. Our only concerns are the moderately recessed A/V inputs, which utilise three cumbersome wire adapters and are too cramped to accept the thicker plugs of our Monster cables.

The Toshiba active shutter 3D goggles (model FPT-AG01A) fit well over prescription glasses, have an easily accessible switch with a power LED and block off stray light with their full wrap-around frame. However, only the height of the nose pad can be adjusted to suit both adults and kids - glasses from Sony go one step further with curved arms for better grip. Furthermore, the eyewear's coin battery is harder to replace with its compartment secured by a screw, and the frame lacks soft rubbery parts to cushion its hefty 60.9g bulk. By contrast, the Samsung SSG-P2100T/XS active 3D glasses weigh around 35g. Overall, the provided eyewear is functional, but offer very little in aesthetics and comfort.

We would have expected an equally attractive remote instead of the average-looking faux-brushed metal version from the XL700. The clicker now has an extra 3D key for 3D settings besides other shortcuts such as Media Player, while the specialised controls are tucked away under a pull-down cover. These buttons have a tactile rubbery feel and are well- organised, except for the cluttered "ring in a ring" design for the directional pad. To hasten video switching via the Source key, users can manually filter unused ports from the on-screen selection list utilising the panel's software menu.

A strong selection of presets with independent memory, test patterns and advanced options are available under the software menu, though the text-based interface is quite dated by today's standards.

Features

The LED-edge-lit 47WL700 is compatible with most 3D formats including side-by-side broadcasts and 3D Blu-ray, but it lacks 2D-to-3D conversion, which is increasingly becoming standard for 3D TVs. In the 2D department, the picture quality is enhanced using Toshiba's proprietary Resolution+ and ClearScan 200 Pro technologies. Resolution+ is designed to elevate standard-definition upscaling performance for TV shows and DVDs, while ClearScan 200 Pro minimises film judder through 200Hz scanning backlight processing.

DLNA compliancy is a welcome feature, albeit not as comprehensive compared with other brands' implementations, and enables streaming of MP3, JPEG and MPEG-2 files from PCs and servers over an Ethernet connection. The panel's multimedia capability extends with two USB ports - USB 1 supports 1080p videos such as WMV-HD, AVCHD and MKV clips, though USB 2 is limited to JPEG only. Strangely, the Toshiba's DLNA menu is in standard-definition rather than the crisp high-definition interface offered for USB.

The 47WL700 comes with a standard A/V connectivity suite featuring six 1080p-ready inputs and some of the latest companion functions ranging from HDMI ARC to InstaPort S. Its optical audio output is 5.1 Dolby Digital, ready to route surround sound to an external home cinema kit for playing HD videos.

Performance

Standard-definition (SD) content
Toshiba's Resolution+ was quite effective in enhancing sharpness and details for free-to-air TV without introducing jaggies and blockiness with negligible background grains and mosquito noise. Playing back our reference DVDs delivered even better pictures, except for a higher-than-usual cropping of the sides in Widescreen mode. Avia synthetic tests further revealed near-perfect colour decoding, but a slight problem in distinguishing deeper shades of black. Faring even worst was the noise reduction result, although it was more than acceptable for other content.

High-definition (HD) content
The 47WL700 had the right balance of clarity, smoothness and film-like visuals for Blu-ray movies unlike most razor-sharp LCDs. Still, some older film transfers were slightly grainier and we were able to pick up hints of judder during some slow panning scenes. Colour-wise, our calibrated panel displayed warm and natural hues coupled with lifelike skin tones and revealing shadows. Its black level was also a little deeper than a Samsung C9000. This panel cleared HQV benchmark's Video Resolution Loss Test convincingly and would have passed the film version if not for some flickering.

The 3D Blu-ray discs Caroline and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs on this Regza produced 3D depth that was good, though not as immersive as a Panasonic VT20. However, this was accompanied by excessive crosstalk during snippets of these animations. Just like most active shutter glasses, there was mild off-screen flickering when watching 3D under room lighting and a tendency to blackout if the viewer's head tilted by 90 degrees (think lying on a couch). Nevertheless, the goggles were able to stay in sync with our review unit's emitters up to 5m away at tight viewing angles.

Games, PC and multimedia
The Game mode worked well by automatically switching to cooler (bluish) shades with no detectable processing lag, rendering crisp and fluid 1080p graphics. PC text at the same resolution from our laptop via analog output was equally legible, matched by a banding-free colour gradation. Things were less rosy for media playback, though. Firstly, we only managed to play one MPEG-2 clip through our DLNA server. Then, there were persistent stutters for all sample videos we tested via USB, including a standard-definition DivX file. MP3 and JPEG were, thankfully, much better.

Audio and conclusion

Despite an integrated subwoofer, we were not terribly impressed by the television's bass output, which lacked punch. Additionally, the TV's virtual surround sound could have been more effective. These points were somewhat compensated by soothing vocals with solid stereo imaging and extended treble, and the TV demonstrated enough reserved power to fill a medium-sized hall.

The new Regza 47WL700 is an encouraging attempt by Toshiba to address its conservative approach to television design in the past, as well as to meet 3D TV demand - though improvement is still needed for 3D performance. It's also one of the most expensive TVs of its kind at AU$3299, which costs more than the AU$2499 Sony Bravia 46NX710 and the AU$2599 LG 47LX6500.

Via CNET Asia

LG wants to prove that 3D eyewear can be comfortable as well as attractive by partnering with Alain Mikli International in Paris to introduce a new line of premium goggles.

The French design firm has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing glasses and runs a chain of boutiques worldwide in cities such as New York and Milan.

LG has cited lacklustre 3D eyewear as a key hurdle for consumers to adopt the 3D TV technology and hopes to raise the bar in design, fit and user comfort through this collaboration.

Some of the highlights of its upcoming offerings include a special nose pad to ensure a snug fit, spring-hinged arms, extended tips for added ergonomics and an optimal weight ratio to minimise fatigue during long usage.

These premium 3D glasses will be showcased at CES 2011 and are due for launch after the annual tech tradeshow in Las Vegas.

• ViewSonic VX2268wm
• Office 2011 for Mac
• BitDefender Total Security 2011
• Nvidia Geforce 3D Vision Kit