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More 3D TVs for Europe
Iñaki Ferreras ©RapidTVNews | 09-09-2010
Consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung has used the IFA show in Berlin to introduce its range of 3D products in line with many of the world’s audiovisual manufacturers.
Samsung unveiled two new 50-inch 3D plasma display panel TV's as well as an expanded 3D TV product line-up for the European market.
With a new 65-inch full HD 3D LED TV, two new 3D Plasma HDTVs, a new Blu-ray Home Theatre system, a new 3D home projector and a new HD/3D Blu-ray player, the manufacturer is aiming to strengthen its leadership in the 3D TV market. Samsung has already achieved sales of more than 600,000 3D TV units globally in the first half of this year.
Meanwhile, elegant designer manufacturer Loewe showcased its line of 3D TVs which are due to be launched early next year.
"The latest research by consultancy GfU shows that 10% of consumers will be considering buying a 3D TV in the next year," said Oliver Seidl, the company's Chief Financial Officer at a press conference.
Seidl added that "We have also been working hard to keep updating the Connect Home Entertainment System, which was originally showcased in 2007. It is now slimmer and more flexible than ever."
Loewe introduced its multimedia TV - with internet connectivity – fifteen years ago and now, finally, the global infrastructure has caught up. In fact, the company's internet-integrated TV aggregates the very best of the Net and it is also customisable. In addition, Loewe has also formed a partnership with Philips and Sharp in order to try and standardise access and interfaces, news already reported by Rapid TV News some days ago.
Loewe’s CEO announced a corporate restructure by stating that "after a difficult year in 2009, we have returned to profitability in the first half of this year. We have implemented comprehensive restructuring in order to be more reactive and at the same time, flexible, and we are actively reducing costs on the procurement side."
Sports on 3D
One of the most interesting sectors for 3D TV is sports. That is why at IFA 2010 Bryan Burns, Vicepresident of Strategic Business Planning and Development at American sports broadcaster ESPN announced the delivery of 3D content for the whole world.
ESPN has a long history of embracing technological innovation and claims that its viewers are much more technologically savvy than other viewers.
Burns told the audience of a press conference: "In Europe, HD has been a long time coming. Initially, sporting events could not afford the extra cash needed to produce in HD, although this is changing now HD production costs, which are coming down. So who will be able to afford to produce in 3D?"
He continued with a view on how the market has changed: "With SD/HD we knew that we could pull 4x3 SD from 16x9 HD with centre cut protection. But with 3D it is a separate production process. We will all dabble with some joint productions but our view is that for most productions, the directing premise is so different that it will be difficult, at least for a while, to even consider a large number of productions in both HD and 3D."
Burns announced that his company would wait until there are enough people with 3D TVs in their homes before going 3D.
"There is not enough content to justify buying a 3D TV. So how can we short-circuit this? And what kinds of alliances will need to be formed in order to drive further consumer interest?" he asked.
And he ended by declaring that the main thing that needs to be considered is who benefits and that entities that do need to step up. In this sense the agreement between ESPN and Sony has been very productive for the ESPN 3D version of the channel.
