IFA 2010: LG Goes Back to Passive 3D

3D is absolutely everywhere you look at the IFA this year, with some manufacturers like LG even going backwards.  Its new LD950 series TVs use passive technology.

LG is one of the few manufactuers to have unveiled a lot of exciting new TVs at this year's IFA.  Amongst its OLED displays, 3D THX plasma screens and enormous Edge-LED televisions, there are a few more unusual elements, including the 47LD950 LCD TV, which creates the impression of watching 3D using passive technology.



Officially, 3D content is supposed to be displayed using active technology, the current standard, so why is LG changing that?  According to a spokesperson, it's because the expensive active 3D glasses have proved a burden on customers with large families.  The Korean manufacturer's logic is pretty clear: when 3D TVs themselves cost £1500, glasses go for £100 a pair and you need to add a Blu-ray 3D player to get the most of your investment, it doesn't take long for the bill to mount up.

LG is hoping, then, to bring 3D to a less affluent audience with a more affordable TV--there's no definite news on price just yet--and polarised glasses for around £15 a pair.  Four pairs will be included with every TV sold, too.


In technical terms, there's no LED backlighting, and because of the passive technology, there's no 1080p in 3D either.  The panel does have a 200 Hz mode for improving the fluidity of moving images and a USB port gives access to DivX HD content.  What we don't know, though, is whether it will have built-in 2D to 3D conversion.

The 47LD950 is out now in the UK.



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