In its first-ever ranking of 3D performance, Consumer Reports evaluated 14 3D TV models and found that plasma TVs are better at displaying 3D images than LCD sets, primarily because they exhibit less ghosting, or double images that appear even when wearing 3D glasses. Three plasma models from Panasonic exhibited the best 3D picture quality and the least ghosting of all the sets tested. The report appears in the December Annual Electronics issue and online at www.ConsumerReports.org
Panasonic plasma sets exhibited the least ghosting of any of the 3D TVs Consumer Reports tested, followed by plasma TVs from LG and Samsung, which had slightly more. Sony’s LCD TVs came closest to the plasmas: ghosting was minimal, but only when the viewer’s head was kept level; ghosting became severe when the viewer’s head was titled even slightly. On the LG and Samsung LCD TVs, images had satisfying three-dimensional depth, but ghosting, which was significant in a wide variety of content, was distracting when apparent. All the tested 3D TVs, with one exception, performed very well with regular 2D programs.
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.
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.”
Right now, apart from some major TV sports events from ESPN and DirecTV, 3D TV programming is limited. Still, it advises those early adopters they may want to take the plunge and buy — especially if and when more programming becomes available.
source: indiefilm3d.com
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