Sony, who is set to launch their new 3D TVs in the second half of 2010 in Australia, is already discounting their Bravia TV offering to retailers, according to several that ChannelNews has spoken to this week. However problems are starting to emerge over whether the Sony PS3 is capable of delivering a Full HD 3D Blu-ray experience. We have also been told that that Sony is set to offer consumers a 3D bundle which will include a Blu -ray payer and access to content including the highlights in 3D of the 2010 Soccer World Cup which is due to be played in South Africa in June.
At this stage Sony will only have one 3D Ready TV. The LX model which is 3D enabled, with the HX range user will have to pay for a 3D dongle that looks like a Nintendo Wii infra red bar. Designed to sit on top of the TV it will turn 2D content into 3D.
A major sponsor of the Soccer World Cup Sony will not launch their 3D TV offering late July or even August say retailers.
A Sony spokesperson said “We are doing it then because that is when the 3D content will be in the market, so we are not going to do a major push on something that isn’t currently here. Sony also claim that they are not fazed that some of its biggest rivals – including Samsung and Panasonic – will be flooding shops with 3D Ready TVs before Sony.
“Sony really wants to be the leader on 3D. The fact that we create the content and also bring it to the home is massive for us. Things like the Fifa World Cup will be filmed in 3D, with our technology, and we have the rights to this. In fact 3D crosses all of Sony’s product ranges, except for Sony Ericsson.”
Sony executives have told ChannelNews that 3D gaming will take off before TV’s and that the upgrading of Sony’s PS3 to 3D will allow users to use the console to play Full HD Blu ray movies.
However investigations by SmartHouse reveal that this is not the case. Currently Sony PS3 Consoles have either a HDMI 1.2 or in later models including their new Sony Slim PS3 a HDMI 1.3 connector.
To get Full HD Blu ray consumers are going to have to upgrade to a 1.4 HDMI cable to get the full HD experience.
Within the HDMI 1.4 specification, there are lots of subsections – one for HDMI Ethernet channel, one for audio return channel, one for 4K support and one for 3D over HDMI.
The current 1.3 standard is capable of playing back 3D content. So after the firmware update the PS3 will deliver a 3D pictures for your 3DTV. However when it comes to 3D Blu-ray playing from your PS3, you won’t get a 1080psignal to each eye, you’ll only get 1080i.
The experts say that without the speed that a HDMI 1.4 cable can deliver manufacturers can’t push dual 1080p images through the cable.
Sony Australia are refusing to say whether the PS3 will deliver a Full HD 3D Blu ray experience.
