3D Glasses Poised for Mainstream

April 27th, 2010

Want some real proof 3D technology is here to stay? Just type in “3D Glasses” into Google and take a look at the hits… One favorite is 3dglassesonline.com with a “nifty fifty’s” take-out menu (web page genre) and the classic headline borrowed from McDonalds, claiming “Over One Billion Served!” That’s billion with a “B” and that’s just the anaglyph version of 3D Glasses from companies like American Paper Optics, Berezin and 3D Glasses.net, some selling the paper cut-out types in catalogues along with rainbow makers and other novelty toys.

Steve Sechrist
Senior Analyst and Editor

But the real story is that non-cardboard-based 3D glasses makers now include some of the biggest names in consumer electronics. Just look at the current list of 3D Glasses purveyors we’ve assembled to date. Top brands like Panasonic, LG, Samsung, Sony, and Viewsonic, plus Dolby, Pentax, and NVIDIA. Then there’s the 3D Cinema technology companies like XpanD, RealD, Master Image (and Dolby mentioned above) all looking for a foothold in the consumer space. But that’s not all, there’s also the premium glasses suppliers looking to open new 3D niche markets, some with a high-fashion spin (and high price tag to boot), with others offering unique technology. San Diego based iZ3D and Gunnar Optiks (Carlsbad, CA), offer one such solution. MicroVision Optical 3D (San Diego) is sticking to “fashionable” passive glasses in theater market for now–selling in the $30 to $40 range. Bit Cauldron (Gainesville, FL) uses a ZigBee interface to connect its glasses with the 3D source device.

The big name CE makers are in the space with some interesting offerings. LG’s 3D glasses have been around since 2007, and include rechargeable batteries (model AG-S100.) They currently sell (retail) for $199 a pair the same MSRP as the Samsung glasses that also ship with its current 7000 series 3DTVs in both (LCD and PDP) vintages. Panasonic’s 3D Glasses (model TY-EW3D10U) can be found at BestBuy for $149 and it has a new deal with nVidia which will allow their glasses to view content on the Panasonic 3DTV.

For its part, front 3D projection maker Viewsonic just announced a new pair of active-stereo 3D shutter glasses (PGD-150) selling for $99 retail. They are designed to work with Viewsonic’s latest TI based DLP Link 3D Projector (120Hz “3D Ready”) and will probably extend to any DLP Link projector brand.

Viewsonic currently has nine different 3D enabled projector models for sale, all for under $1K, (the PJD6251 XGA is the most expensive at $877.) Most all are XGA with two exceptions, the WXGA (PJD6531w) sells for $714 and the SVGA (PJD45112) is a $460 box from Viewsonic. The company is targeting the classroom with the relatively low cost 3D projector / glasses combination, according to our recent conversation with product manager Erik Willey.

The bad news is that there is very little compatibility from one set of glasses to any 3D display. CEA has a task force to start to address this concern and Insight Media recently provided a report on 3D glasses to 3D @ Home Consortium, for use by CEA in their standardization effort.

Nevertheless, as home 3D technology adoption continues this year and beyond, we think the 3D Glasses space is destine to develop into a full-blown CE category, and from the looks of the web, and companies listed here, we are not alone in this belief. So get ready as a new class of electronic eyewear that just may be poised to dominate the TV accessories category as we move into our second decade of the new century (…forget losing the remote, where in the heck are those 3D glasses?)

Ed. note: Look for a more complete rundown of the 3D Glasses offerings in this month’s Large Display Report that ships on May-Day.