Panasonic: 3D from A to Z

As of today it should be stated: mass 3D-video industry suffers from considerable lopsidedness. On the one hand, almost every self-respecting TV and Blu-ray player manufacturer has a few models that support 3D. On the other hand, there is an acute shortage of 3D content in the market.

The first thing any video starts with is capturing. Since October 2010 the first 3D amateur camcorder Panasonic HDC-SDT750 is on sale. Thanks to this unique camera it’s no more difficult to shoot 3D video than usual Full HD video.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 camera with 3D lens H-FT012E

Besides video camera, Panasonic traditionally does not forget about photographers. Exactly for them new mirrorless

To watch Blu-ray discs with 3D content, Panasonic currently offers two players: top model Panasonic DMP-BDT300 and more budget-friendly Panasonic DMP-BDT100. By the way, a buyer of DMP-BDT100 gets an exclusive gift – 3D Blu-ray disc with the movie “Avatar”.

Panasonic Viera TX-PR50VT20, TX-PR65VT20 and TX-PR42GT20 plasma TVs

But the center of 3D entertainment is undoubtedly a plasma TV Panasonic Viera. The top line with the index VT20 includes two models with 50 and 65 inches. The middle price segment is represented by the GT20 series with a 42 inches diagonal.

All TV sets are equipped with the newest plasma panel NeoPDP which advantages were already proved by our tests. Also note that the 3D enhancement technology in these models makes the playback of normal 2D video even better than before.

The VT20 series 3D TVs come with universal 3D glasses which provide high quality separation of the right and left channels and, what is equally important, can be adjusted for comfortable viewing by all members of the family.

In addition, the world’s lightest only 39 grams model of 3D glasses with USB charging TY-EW3D2ME is on sale.

Life in 3D-world under a “microscope!

Now let’s dwell directly on the technologies, used by Panasonic in the manufacture of its products.

Frame Sequential technology

The key to modern stereo 3D technology is the separation of video streams for the right and left eye. In particular, the systems based on the use of special glasses use the Frame Sequential interlace technology. Panasonic developers improved plasma panel itself which initially has some advantages over LCD in the area of video resolution. The new panels offer an opportunity to display the left and right images alternately at the speed of 50 and 60 fps, which makes a total of 100/120 fps for each eye. Viewers see these images through the 3D glasses where the right and left shutters open and close simultaneously with the frame sequence. As a result, a separate full Full HD image is sent to each eye with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. It eliminates the image quality and sharpness problems of previous 3D systems and creates sharp, contrast and three-dimensional visual images.

High Speed 3D Drive

Frame Sequential technology provides displaying frames in 1/100 or 1/120 sec depending on the sweep of the source video , which is twice as fast as ordinary Full HD pictures. If you simply reduce the pixel luminescence time for each frame, you reduce the brightness of the screen. Panasonic engineers solved this problem by shortening the duration and simultaneously increasing the intensity of the light to create a bright and clear 3D image.

Crosstalk Reduction technology

As mentioned before, Frame Sequential technology reduces the glow time for each frame. If the pixel afterglow remains unchanged, the previous frame will linger on the screen as a residual image, overlaying the new frame. New development of Panasonic – quickly fading red and green phosphors. Their use reduces the afterglow time by about 1/3, allowing you to create a clear 3D images without visible residual effects.

Precise control technology for 3D glasses

But residual glow isn’t the only danger in building 3D images. Mutual overlapping of left and right eye frames and therefore blurring of both is also possible when the screen and glasses are out of sync. If the shutters open too early or close too late , the “wrong” picture will enter the corresponding eye.

Ultra-precise shutter open/close timing minimizes unwanted light leakage for a high-quality 3D viewing experience. Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Full HD 3D images thanks to Panasonic’s proprietary system comprising a Viera Full HD 3D TV and precisely aligned 3D glasses.

The new UniPhier processor

Not only TVs and glasses, but also Blu-ray players have been improved. In particular, the video processor of the new generation of players has undergone significant refinement. This is primarily done to ensure compatibility with the Frame Sequential technology used in the Full HD 3D concept.

But that’s not all. Accurate color reproduction is important for any image, both 2D and 3D. Unique Panasonic technologies PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus and Adaptive High Precision 4:4:4 reproduce the finest shades of color, fine details and texture, recreating the vibrant atmosphere of a movie in Full HD 1080p to the exact specifications of the director.