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All the hype and all the press surrounding the recent release of the new Panasonic 3D TV is a really just a dissatisfying tease before the real showdown: Sony 3D LED TVs versus Samsung 3D LED TVs.
Panasonic's preemptive strike on Sony and Samsung will certainly steal some of the attention and consumers away from the two superpowers, but when Samsung and Sony finally unveil their 3D LCD models to consumers, Panasonic will have no choice but to bow down in defeat.
The move to release the Panasonic 3D TV to Best Buy came as no surprise as Panasonic had been touting their Full HD 3D Home Theater System in a nationwide tour since September.
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Panasonic didn't have many options with their inferior 3D TV models: release first, generate all the buzz, and face no immediate competitors, or release when the big guns release and face stern, cutthroat competition in a superior market.
For Panasonic, the decision to grab as much attention and as much of the 3D TV market as possible was simple (wise choice considering many believe between 1 to 5 million 3D TVs will be sold in 2010).
The issue is, Samsung and Sony have superior 3D TVs, and their 3D TVs will be in stores soon.
In many ways, a 3D TV is a 3D TV. Images jump off the screen and into your living room giving you a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience no matter what make or model you have. It all works on similar technology.
What separates the early 3D models, besides the obvious Plasma (Panasonic) and LCD (Sony and Samsung) screens, however, is the technology that supports and enhances the 3D TV.
Samsung, and supposedly Sony as well, are both prepared to offer 2D to 3D live conversions on their early models. One of the main concerns of 3D manufacturers is a lack of content. There is a reason Sony paired with Imax, Panasonic paired with Twentieth Century Fox, and Samsung paired with DreamWorks; content is not readily available. By offering a real time converter, however, any show or movie goes from 2D to 3D.
Samsung and Sony also both plan to offer LED models as a part of the next revolution of LCD TVs. LED technology offers a higher picture contrast, improved color accuracy, a slimmer screen width, and reduced energy use.
Along those lines, Sony also plans on implementing face recognition that has the ability to determine if a person is actually watching the TV. The 3D TV goes into power save mode if no one is watching the TV and will turn off if it doesn't recognize that anyone is in the room. A great opportunity to cut out a lot of wasted energy.
Finally, Sony also has plans to compete in the 3D market across product lines meaning that cameras, Playstations and other Sony devises will all potentially support 3D technology (something Samsung cannot touch).
Samsung has always had the majority market share of LCD TVs (over 17.2%), but with the new line of features Sony is planning on utilizing, the competition is going to be a lot more difficult. Sorry Panasonic, but you've got some catching up to do.
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Comments
I don't think sony will outwit Samsung. Samsung was always considered as second to Sony,but Samsung turned it around and emerged as the top in TV market share. I don't get those who think Sony is still no1. And,to the best of my knowledge, sony did not hint about the technology that can convert 2D to 3D. What's more, when it comes to AMOLED technology,Samsung is clearly ahead of sony. It is still too early to conclude that sony outwit samsung.this is an immature comment. Samsung might start developing its own game console just like samsung is pushing ahead with its own operating platform,Bada if it proves to be another potential sector.Even though Samsung and Sony are rivals only in TVs and mobile phones.In these two areas, Sony is beaten by Samsung after many years of sony dominance,wasn't it? Samsung can touch if it want to start developing it. there is still room for competition.Saying that samsung cannot touch on game and cameras is ridiculous.
Sony are still #1 as innovators. The LED technology that is being talked about here was developed by Sony first - the Sony ZX1 was the first edge-lit LED and they had backlit LED TV's back in 2005. Samsung introduced this technology much later. When it comes to 3D, most of the content will have originated on Sony equipment. So if it is good enough for the professionals to use Sony equipment, why not use Sony equipment to display this content in your home. Samsung is not used by professionals. When it comes to OLED/AMOLED, Sony are still ahead of Samsung, Samsung make AMOLED for mobile phones and other small screen devices but they have yet to release a commercially available AMOLED TV. Again, Sony were the first to release OLED to market and LG are the only other brand that have OLED TVs for sale. Where Sony innovate, Samsung look on and do a cheaper, watered-down mass market version. Each brand has their place in the market but there is evidence to back up the "sony outwit samsung" comment that you think is immature. 3D content, as the article mentions, will be limited.So you will be watching broadcast 3d content (mostly generated by Sony broadcast cameras - ESPN and Sky both have agreements with Sony), 3d movies (many, like Avatar generated on Sony film cameras or made by Sony Pictures) or playing 3D games on the Playstation3. What content are Samsung bringing to the table? About 0%?
Bada? Bada bing!
You are 100% correct about everything u said. Sony will dominate eveyone else as far as 3D equipment and content.
Agreed.
Yes it Sony is no.1. but, of coarse since their best lcd panels are made by Samsung!
As far as I know, that is neither true or untrue. They share a factory that makes LCD panels, which is only one part of the television.
This guy is full of s***.Panasonic invented home 3D and has the #1 rated system.Plasma does'nt suffer from ghosting like LCD and LED.With Panasonic 3D you can view at any angle even while laying on the couch.With Samsung you half to look straight ahead.
Wait all of you are quick to shut Panasonic down, let me ask you a question, you are only talking about rumors Sony this and Samsung that.
Do me a favor do your homework, learn that neither Samsung or Sony offers a full 1080HD RES for both eyes of the 3d glasses it is cut in 1/2 on both.
LCD still has a long way too go, no doubt that Samsung leads the market but when it comes to 3D Panasonic is the way to go.
Do your homework boys!
samsung is the leading technology in television market .but sony is also leading technology .samsung has made agreat innovation over sony .the television means sony once up on atime .but samsung has reached great name in television over sony.samsung led 9000 series is so great er than sony . sony dose not have such features .the worlds thinnest television gose to samsung sony cannot touch it .samsung is the worlds leading semiconductor device.ever sony cannot touch it.....
as innovators maybe ,as by professional use most probably-I dont know about that but for users of technology...I dont think we should consider those two unless we have firm miss/mr universe contest in mind. Their are very close and price for samsung is better not only-if- because of they follow up but also because they dont advertise that much.Profesional use means also long term relationships so there is not much of a pressure to fight with quality immidiatly and as technology(especialy today) is mentioned if one makes something after the first one its usually less bugged and tuned up considerably enough to be a better product.As I.ve heard from users samsung has way more build in features as well so for me - as a user/buyer - samsung is simply safer and lessexpencive way to go.As a brand popularity contest I will give it to sony ,and finally if I had have time(which I dont because I can affort one now and my family wants it now-no surprice,right :}) I wouldnt forgot Panasonic(which I have now -"Viera") cause they were the best so far in my opinion.
i do not agree with you kit. ever since SONY started, they always outwit samsung in terms of technology, quality and innovations. SAMSUNG is always following the style and technology of SONY. they always focus on the moves of SONY and later makes a counter. fyi, SONY first innovate the LED backlight technology way back 2005, and its called 'QUALIA'. SAMSUNG launched their LED backlight LCD on 2009, and that year was already the 7th generation launched of SONY's LED backlight LCD. so SAMSUNG is too far and too late. and what's worse is that they named it as LED tv as the new species and the next generation tv just to RENEW the name withouth knowing that their far and late behind. fyi, its still an LCD tv, not LED tv because its just using light emitting diode as backlight and still uses liquid crystal display. so, theyre mistaken the name. they just renew the old of SONY. comparing the quality, SAMSUNG is very far to SONY. in terms of color, SAMSUNG's color looks artificial to me. unlike SONY its more realistic. if ur still curious, try to compare them side to side and series their connection via hdmi and using a blu-ray. playback a movie especially in dark scenes and observe wisely the picture quality, that SAMSUNG is noisy. unlike SONY, it still fine...
i dont agree with you .in lcd tv toshiba is the great picture quality. no samsungor sony.but samsung has great panels wich was copied by sony.samsung make agood quality and more reliabilty than sony.samsung is the television companywich more better than sony .but sony is also good .samsung has a style over the products wich was designed by them and quality to the world .sony cannot touch it.....
Converting a Video from 2D to 3D is really not a technology I do it on my PC whenever I need to do it just run a Video file on Stereoscopic player use same file as left & right Video and run anyone at a lag of say 1/2 a second u can control it on fwd/rev contols u wil get 3D effect .
Problem : U will get serious headache and that's the reason why Intellgent company like Sony Like.no.other does not use this absurd easy to do no technology involved but create much hype in dumb people.
In my house there are two tv. One is Samsung and the other is Sony. Both are 240 hz, LED, and 46" the image on both are amazing. However, the control of the Samsung is more confortable because it has light and the shiny appearance makes it very elegant. You can see clearly in the darkness by pressing the light button. In addition, if you look up the termination behind the Samsung is also very impresive compare with Sony. But if you ask me about the image quality, I can tell you both tv are amazing in 2D. I can't compare the two in 3D because the Samsung I have in the leaving room doen't have 3D. But, When I swith my Sony to 3D is really impressive. I recomend to anyone to get a 55" screen instead of 46" to watch 3D.
Sony has not been dominate in a category since letting the iPod replace the Walkman. LCD stormed the TV market while Sony sat still and tried to protect its CRT franchise. It has tried desperately, and at great cost, to catch up to its rivals since then. The highly successful, and profitable, PS2 was replaced by next-generation PS3 - an over-engineered, over-priced game console that took Sony from first place to last in market share, and cost billions in profit since its introduction. First to market with OLED? Its only OLED set was removed from the market last month, while both LG and Samsung have larger screen sizes at lower prices. LED lighting on LCD? Yes Sony had it, and did nothing with it. Only when competition drove the market did Sony again try to play catchup. Content? The only game console maker with its own movie studios and music business, yet the PSN is a pale comparison to XBox Live. The TV competitors teamed with major studios in 3D, while Sony - who owns its own studio - teamed with IMAX? The theaters are flooded with record-setting new 3D movies from several studios, and Sony's only 3D was an also-ran against 2D competition. Now Sony claims new Move motion controller for PS3 will revolutionize game-playing. By all reviews, their new Move is the Wii wand and Nanchuck in disguise, the same technology that Sony has said it rejected before Nintendo used it to develop the Wii. One thing Sony has gotten right is their marketing slogan - it's only "Make Believe".
Dude all of you are bogus. I,ve been repairing tv for about 10 years now and the quality of tv is just remarkable. And sony is the best on a quality standpoint. Picture quality and stability. samsung does have a good picture but a poor design and a glossy screen you can shave in to try and match picture quality and still doesn't is to say the least. Samsung has sold more tv just not better tvs. Tv market doesn't control quality it only controls how many is sold. The repair ratio is sony 2 percent fix rate on samsungs 6 percent so you do the math.. What investment do you wanna make
Agree totally with Anon. I've been fortunate to actually see product demos of 3D TV from all the major brands, and plasma is the best 3D experience. There is very little difference between the different LCD brands. Toshiba actually has the most impressive technology, using the Cell Processor that they purchased from Sony. The same Cell, by the way, that is the brains of the PS3. Sony now buys the Cell from Toshiba. Sony thinking that their position in content and gaming will give them an edge is ridiculous, unless in typical Sony fashion they plan to make all their devices proprietary with their technology. A great way to drive away customers, as Sony has done very well over the years.
@Robin - The processor the Toshiba TVs use aren't the same cell processor as those in the PS3. The TVs use processors with only the SPU (parallel FP calc) and no PPU (general purpose).
Sony has started moving away from their NIH (not invented here) mentality recently by moving to a fab-lite business model, incorporated SD into their multimedia devices, and adopting more open-source standards (like how the ebook supports epub format).
I think there is a difference with LCD brands. My main problem is with Samsung's drop in quality over the years. Bought a 25.5" HDTV monitor a year back and it was great. Recently tried buying a 55" LED HDTV and had to return it twice (nonstop flickering on one and dead pixels on the other), I finally settled on a LG brand.
I have a Sony Bravia 40" in the kids rumpus room and a Samsung 55" in the lounge room. In truth I only purchased the Sony to get a free PS3 (which I later sold & recouped cash). Comparing the TV's of similar size in the stores the Samsung image quality is better in both 40 & 50" models, they have excellent features, the Samsung is much quicker to switch channels and synch with external sources, and... is also better value for money. Overall I would pay about 10 - 15% more for a Samsung before considering Sony.
All the above opinions are factless, there is no other LCD tv company that can beat Panasonic ,
Toshiba and Sharp. I never reach a decision before proper research of the subject. I should say that Panasonic has better technology than Sony and Samsung. It is only the ad factor that dominates the market. The frequency of Sony and Samsungs' ads are much more than the Panasonic and the rest. If we compare these giant companies with respect to the specifications and features they offer, then Panasonic is the best among all.
Check yourself!
LCD (including what they call as "LED") can NEVER be better than plasma for 3D as LCD is slower than Plasma.
I also do not understand why so many people think that LED is such innovative. LED TV has high contrast and also thinner than other LCD TV's, but the only difference is back-light and it is not really entirely new technology.What samsung did was just tried to start to sell earlier than its competitors, but the fact is that other companies also had the same technologies. It was just an issue of timing.
"LED" is brighter than other LCDs but it does not display fast-moving images clearly, in comparison with plasma. For 3Ds, it causes double-images, which is pointed out by consumer report already. LED is the same. (I expect that sony's 3D may be better than Samsung as I think Samsun's thechnology to create images have never been better than other major companies such as sony and panasonic.)
I find this original post one of the most biased commetaries I have read on 3D products!
I say this because I have been a big fan of LCD and have had my "purist" friends tug at me to allow Plasma into my decision mix for the 3 large-size HDTVs I am now considering (I am purchasing a >55", 55", and 42" for my new office). I simply enjoy the LCD brightness and the new LCDs for 2010 now mimic the dark (black levels) control I saw as the Plasma's claim (LEDs I witnessed were still too gray in their black representation -- a saturation issue that hopefully will be remedied soon). IQ is superb on the Samsung LCD 55" I just purchased last week.
That said, about 3D? I just visitied two local Best Buys and hands down, looking at the Panasonic vs Samsung with their specific (assume best bet by the manufacturer, ergo the selection provided for demo) media for demo'ing their respective prodcuts.
The 50" Panasonic 3D Plasma blew the 55" Samsung 3D demo out of the store! I say this because if you look at the 3D effect subjectively, akin to what an audiophile does with speaker performance, the 3D experience provided by the Pansonic is heads & shoulders above the Samsung! The Panasonic images literally come out of the TV-plane towards you, whereas the Samsung does a very nice Viewmaster type of 3D. It's there, but the "immersion" is not nearly that of the Panasonic. Check the snorkling 3D sample (Panasonic) vs the Aliens v Monsters demo (Samsung). Absolutely no comparison!
So back to my starting comment, to read: "Panasonic didn't have many options with their inferior 3D TV models:" angers me!
As a consumer, if I would not have gone to see these 2 units before buying, I might have believed this rubbish. It is simply untrue and in fact misrepresents the truth 180 degrees! I do not own any Pansonic HDTV (or any other ) products, but I am now retunring my 55" LCD Samsung I purchased Thursday to go after the Pansonic product. It is simply that superior to the Samsung! And when the 65" Panny appears, there's my next 3D unit!
And oh, btw, at 2D where 99% of the viewing will occur until 3D media & sources catch up, the Pannys outgun the Samsung unit quite remarkedly! Check the specs and reviews theorughout the net on this one!
TDC
sorry cant compare two different sets with two different demos
there all doomed glasses 3D will be disrupted away by nintendo 3DS success and all tvs will then aim for a great no glasses 3D viewing
expensive 3d tvs on top of bravia failings and ps3 psp failings could end sony there dead no money no war chest 5 billion lost from ps3 alone
samsung lg etc kicking there ass its simple sony are going nowere and there 3d is doomed
IN a recent report by Consumer Reports, they were saying the Panasonic 3d TV beat the Samsung. Of course the technology is different (Panasonic -Plasma, Samsung-LED), however, I think it is too early to say Panasonic is out. They have great electronics technology that the writer is not appreciating. However I agree Sony and Samsung will likely still beat out Panasonic just out of name recognition... which is unfortunate really.
I want to chime in also about dismissing Panasonic and its "inferior technology". Plasma and LED are different approaches to create video images on the screen, but I think it's a disservice to anyone interested in dropping several grand on a home theater to refer to what many analyst feel is a subjective call when choosing which technology to go with for your own personal viewing. As with LCD and LED, plasma has evolved. I just recently viewed the Panasonic and the Samsung, Monsters Vs Aliens on both and the Panasonic demo disc on the plasma. I enjoyed the Panasonic much more, but both are impressive. The plasma's deep blacks and its management of rapid movement was much easier on my eyes. The Samsung gets a little crosstalk from time to time, and I found to be more of a strain, but not from the Panasonic. The plasma seemed better for long-term 3D viewing and the depth of the third dimension looks more defined. You can check it out at Best Buy, and the sales folk had no issue putting Monsters vs Aliens in both TVs for me.
The person who wrote this article has no idea what he is talking about. The Samsung 3D Tv's have been out for a month now and all models suffer from "ghosting or crosstalk with the 3d picture. I know because I purchased the 8000 series and returned it last week. The firmware updates on their webside do not work as confirmed by Samsung customer Service.
Panasonic 3D picture is superior with only a little ghosting on the AstroBoy demo.
I viewed a pre production Sony LED 3D Tv at there Style Store 4 weeks ago at it suffered from the same ghosting issues that have affected Samsung 3D TV's .
You have all the right to know that Sony LCD panels are Samsung's Panels. Yes, Sony is using Samsung's panels for their high end 3d TVs. This is no secret, even Sony admits that fact. Now the TV engine differs from one company to another and who has the better engine for the moment is not so clear!!
I viewed this technology a few weeks back and I have to say that Samsung makes some amazing products which are second to none.
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The author is a douche!
The guy who wrote this article is full of ANAL BEADS!
I agree!
Way!
DOUCHEBAG!
These are all opinions (including the guy who wrote the original article), not facts. None of you know what you are talking about. Talk to a professional before buying, not a sales rep at Best Buy. When it comes to quality which is most important, you want to invest your money in something that is going to last. Sony has been #1 in EVERY single consumer report for years. What good is buying something that you'll have to replace after a couple of years. Do your research and talk to a professional. Sony was the first to invent it all, not perfect it. But when they do, nobody can touch them or even come close. They take longer because they do it better. My opinion and also over 90% of consumers NATION WIDE!!! Fact.
panasonic sux plasma sux, i sell them all in full retail store, the plasmas might as well goto their grave. Old news dim and dismal, not an associate in the department would buy a plasma and 1 out of 100 customers will buy plasma based on something they read over what they actually see. Idiots!!
I would like to say thank you to author of these articles on this site. I read all of these articles and i need to read some new articles. I've watched a video on youtube about this topic for now and i loved it. Also it is one of the rarely topic on this site.
See you on a new topic.
Personally, I'll wait and see what bugs come from these early 3dtv versions, then considering buying one. Seems that 3d should soon come w/o needing glasses, now that would be cool.
Excellent article I really enjoyed reading it. I pretty much agree with everything you mentioned. How well does Nivea Good Bye Cellulite work?
The article to me seemed heavily biased as there were no proper explanation and reasoning given about why Samsung and Panasonic are really bad. I think they all are good, Panasonic seems to focus on delivering a perfect television model rather than launching 2-3 models together each having some kind of annoying bug, if you ask me Panasonic panels pretty reliable and we all know about Sony and Samsung panels, they are damn good with a lot of features...so it's a tough choice to decide and there's no clear winner for me in LED TV market until unless this technology matures a bit and content becomes readily available. - Veronica miami real Estate
I sell tvs for a living, and also work at a repair site part time. Despite what the other reviews say i would actually not put down Panasonic tvs. In fact, the only 3d tv i would put down is samsung. ONLY Sony gives full 1080p to both eyes, unlike samsung and panasonic which gives u half the resolution. another big issue is samsungs glasses are completely unadjustable and do a very poor job of blocking ambient light. on top of all of this, samsungs 3d tvs are very poorly vented and never should have been released onto the market. after being left on for an extended period of time the tv develops hot spots behind the panel which actually warp the 3d image. HORRIBLE. the eifel tower begins to look like the leaning tower. but thats not all, the samsung 3d tv does not work with direct sunlight in the room, if there are flourescent lights on everywhere but the tv will have a banding effect of dark lines running down the walls. as well neither samsung or panasonic had 2d->3d conversion built in upon release, altho its nothing to marvel at. i believe that samsung also only has 105 degree viewing angle, sony has 125, and i have no idea what panasonics is. sony also uses gorilla grass over top of the screen which helps prevent a lot of refraction and protects the screen from damage. i would NEVER buy a samsung 3d tv, in all honestly they are garbage, futureshop will tell u otherwhise because it has the highest margin but such is not the case. between sony and panasonic the sony WILL display higher quality in 3d, but it also comes down to lcd(led) and plasma. a tough choice, but dont be confused by the hz rating as plasma hz and lcd hz are 2 completely different concepts
You have all the right to know that Sony LCD panels are Samsung's Panels. Yes, Sony is using Samsung's panels for their high end 3d TVs. This is no secret, even Sony admits that fact. Now the TV engine differs from one company to another and who has the better engine for the moment is not so clear. Thanks and regards, Tom from how to get abs fast and how to lose a beer belly
HAHAHA u realize how ridiculous that statement is right? So lemme get this straight, sony gets samsung to make their panels and yet samsung fails to produce a better panel then sony's opticontrast panel? FYI since u clearly have no idea what your talking about but like to spew your bs, sony's high end panels are made IN JAPAN by SONY in a sony factory. everything in an xbr is made by sony
You are all wrong!...the best HDTV out there is WESTINGHOUSE.....period....end of discussion
And your favorite beer is Iron City
what about Mitsubishi's DHLP 3D tv any opinions on them?
o palmeiras e gigante