Panasonic’s 50-inch FullHD 3-D plasma display and the new Toshiba Cell Regza TV are among the hottest products shown at the 2009 CEATEC Japan show which kicked off yesterday in Japan.
Fumio Ohtsubo, president of Panasonic, said during the keynote address that Panasonic intends to be a major player in the 3D TV market. He said that Panasonic’s prototype 50-inch 1080p 3-D plasma display, which uses active shutter glasses that enable the viewing of theatre-quality images, is set to reach the market next year.
It is expected in Australia in the second quarter of 2010. It also been tipped that Panasonic could launch a 60″ or even 65″ 3D TV by the end of 2010.
Panasonic executives said that their new high-speed 3-D drive technology enables rapid illumination of pixels while maintaining brightness, uses crosstalk reduction technology to minimize double-images that occur when left- and right-eye images are alternately displayed.
Panasonic said that Hollywood studios will lead the way in developing new 3D content for their panels and not TV broadcast companies which is why the company is set to launch a 3D capable Blu-ray disc drive next year that will reproduce 3-D images.
The new Panasonic 3D TV uses the FullHD x 2 frame sequential method that displays 1,920 by 1,080-pixel images for the left and right eyes on the display frame by frame.
During his keynote speech, Ohtsubo said that Panasonic was currently launching “Eco Ideas” which is a program that will see the Japanese company launch new products and systems that will cut energy consumption for every A/V, IT or appliance used, create technology with fuel cells and solar power and store energy – namely electricity – via lithium-ion batteries.
Comparing the current era to the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century and the Information Revolution of the 20th, Ohtsubo said, “The 21st century needs a great revolution to realize sustainable growth and break our dependence on oil.”
He noted that Panasonic must produce “products and services, and manufacturing must suit the values of the new era – to enrich lives in a sustainable way.”
Ohtsubo said, “‘Eco’ will be the centre of all our activities” from now on. That will be part of “all of our products and services offered … and the implementation of business practices that minimize environmental impact.”
Among the prototypes discussed by Ohtsubo at the Panasonic booth is an AC/DC hybrid wiring system using electricity from fuel cells or solar power that will lose less power. An “intelligent” home energy system management system was shown using mounted sensors to reduce energy waste and make the home more comfortable. And EVERLEDS LED bulbs are being displayed that use less energy and are just as effective as today’s traditional light bulbs.
