3D tv - my test drive of the Panasonic

[Alsone]

Ok know lots of people have posted on 3D so I hope no-one minds me adding my view here.

I popped into my local Panasonic Dealership today and took a test drive of their Panasonic TX-P50VT20B 3D Plasma TV with shutter glasses using their 3D demo disc on "Canyon".

I have to say I was surprisingly impressed given the bad write ups some have posted about 3D tv on here.

The depth to the picture was amazing and really can't be compared to the old style 3D although a lot of the 3D was in the tv back into the wall as opposed to out in the air in front although one scene of white water rafting was amazing as the water literally came up and sprayed onto the front of your glasses then ran off!

Good Points:

3D effect and depth was really really impressive (at least on the demo disc)

Glasses were much lighter and more comfortable than I was expecting although in fairness I only had them on for 5 minutes

Bad points were:

If you looked hard enough you could occassionally see a little flicker although this didn't spoil my enjoyment

The frame of the tv sometimes got in the way of the picture experience - one scene where the trees were out of the picture in front of you was great apart from they suddenly got cut off by a black frame - the frame of the tv, which being 2D really cut into the experience. I suppose the answer here is a bigger tv!!!

Overall, I was left feeling that I wanted to buy into 3D tv. However, as things will hopefully get better still, I might still wait on a little yet if only for the new 65" screen!

 

[Anonymous]

I think its HD ready / Full 1080p type of scam again,I like the look of 3D but in

no way want to wear a pair of glasses to watch a film / tv.

It maybe a bit way off but I think 3D tv without glasses is the way to go

 

[Alsone]

I thought that but I have to say in the short time I wore them, they didn't seem heavy at all.

Also the effects seemed really good although this may just be the demo disc and not reflected in cinema offerings.

However on the demo, everything was 3D eg people in a street and on a railway station. It didn't come out of the screen at you but instead appeared to go back into the wall to a relative 30 feet (thats the picture appearing 30 feet deep not appearing 30 feet back into the wall).

The demo disc consisted of:

1. People in a western style street with good 3D back to front

2. Train at a railway station with the platform disappearing into the background and the train doing the same as it drove away. Again the ground seemed totally 3D and was laid away in front of you back into the distance

3. A guy on top of rocks in a (Grand) Canyon taking photos with him in the mid ground and other peaks in the fore / background

4. Canoeists on a river - really good 3D with the water appearing really 3D and more "alive" than normal

5. White water rafting with again 3D water and the splashing effect of the boat going into troughs resulting in water being thrown out of the screen towards you and hitting a glass surface (presumably the camera lens but meant to be sunglasses worn by you and then sheeting and running down the glass) - best effect of all

6. A narrow gully beween rocks through which a river (presumably flash flood) begins to flow. Again really good 3D as the water really looks as though its coming at you although it never comes out of the screen.

7. Another canyon scene where there are tree tops in the foreground that float between you and the screen - this being spoilt by the screens out black frame though which appeared inside the 3D picture.

Overall, only the water splash and trees appeared out of the screen. Everything else appeared perfectly 3D but to reach away INTO the screen. Very realistic and a slight occassional flicker you had to look for apart, very very good effects.

I was very impressed! I expected to hate 3D or not be impressed from what some others have said but came away wanting a screen. I was blown away although some slight failings could be improved and hopefully will be as the technology improves. Definately the future in my opinion with some development.

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Alsone,

Although I have zero interest in 3D, your review was nevertheless an interesting read.

Thank you.

Ronald