3D Flatpanel TV without glasses

Toshiba has announced its first commercially available 3D (2) TVs that can be used without glasses. With the two TVs, one with a screen size of 12’’ (30.5 cm) and another with 20’’ (50.8 cm), viewers get a three dimensional viewing experience comfortably, without the need to wear 3D glasses. The products will be available by the end of December 2010 in Japan. Toshiba also showcases a laptop prototype as a proof of concept with a 12’’ (30.5 cm) 3D display without glasses at CEATEC in Tokyo.

Innovative technology allows a 3D experience without glasses
The newly developed technological innovation for 3D-TVs without glasses uses an integral imaging system. It provides nine different perspectives (parallaxes) of each single 2D frame which the viewer’s brain superimposes to create a 3-dimensional impression of the image. Toshiba achieved this thanks to its engineers’ huge knowledge of display technology and of semiconductor and software design. They developed a powerful engine and an algorithm to extrapolate these perspectives out of the 2D frame and used a perpendicular lenticular sheet, an array of lenses, that enable the viewer’s brain to superimpose the perspectives. It also offers a wide viewing area in front of the display and allows movement of the eyes and head without disrupting the 3D image and without the discomfort sometimes associated with other ‘glasses-less’ 3D technologies.

High picture quality on all TVs in 2D and 3D
“With its new 3D TVs without glasses Toshiba once again aims to offer the highest possible picture quality” says Sascha Lange, Head of Marketing, Visual Products, Toshiba Europe. The new TVs do not compromise on the 2D experience: they switch between 3D and 2D mode in a few seconds.

Another step into the future of 3D TV
The small screen size 3D TVs without glasses are targeted at a small group of early adopters. With the new TVs, Toshiba wants to prove that auto-stereoscopic 3D displays are both technologically and commercially feasible. “The commercial launch of our 12’’ and 20’’ 3D TVs without glasses in Japan is a first step into the 3D future in the consumer home cinema market,” says Sascha Lange. “But it will take several years to develop larger 3D TVs without glasses with screen sizes of 40’’ and more at a yet reasonable price point. Those who want to enjoy the 3D home cinema experience on a large screen already today are well served by 3D TV using active shutter glasses like the models of our WL768 series.”