/ 11.01.2010 12:00AM
Panasonic Wins 3DTV Shoot-out
YONKERS, N.Y.: Consumer Reports
has done its first-ever evaluation of 3DTV sets. The venerable product reviewer
compared 14 models of 3DTVS and found that plasmas did a better job than LCD
sets, “primarily because they exhibit less ghosting, or double images that
appear even when wearing 3D glasses.” CR
said three Panasonic plasmas placed best over all.
“It remains to be seen whether 3DTV is just a novelty or a new product category
in the consumer electronics space,” said Paul Reynolds, electronics editor
for Consumer Reports. “But, our
tests show that there are some fine 3D TV sets out there for those consumers
eager for a new experience.”
CR
said it used “exclusive 3D test
patterns developed in-house, as well as 3D Blu-ray movies and recorded 3D
sports broadcasts,” in testing. The organization’s engineers found that all 14
models created “impressive” 3D depth, but overall quality varied. Factors that
affected 3D picture quality were similar for those affecting 2D images--black
levels, brightness, detail and viewing angle. Ghosting, or cross talk between
the left- and right-eye images, is a problem exclusive to 3D.
Panasonic plasmas had the least ghosting, followed by those made by LG and
Samsung.
CR said Sony’s LCDs had
“minimal” ghosting when viewing angle was strictly observed.
“Ghosting became severe when the viewer's head was titled even slightly,”
CR said.
Ghosting on the LG and Samsung LCDs was said to be “significant in a wide
variety of content.” All models save one performed will with 2D content.
CR
further noted that some, but not
all, of the 3DTVs it tested came with active shutter glasses. Some of the Sony
models required an additional sync transmitter for the glasses. “Universal
glasses,” which are intended to work with all types of 3DTVs, were reviewed as
well. CR said it found “varying
levels of comfort among different 3D glasses.”
The full report will be published in
CR’s
December issue, due out tomorrow. -- Deborah
D. McAdams