- Summary:
- (1) 3D viewers prefer to view 3D images without wearing glasses, without paying high price, without sacrificing resolution and with option to change from 3D to 2D mode (2) Companies promoting 3D TV with glasses need to have a re-look at the unique technique of Sumitomo 3M Ltd that satisfies most of what consumers need in 3D TV. (3) The price penalty for Sumitomo 3M technique needs to be watched. There is a clear signal here for the domination of this novel 3M film in 3D TV application
- Analysis:
- 3D TV is a hot topic at every International Exhibit. This happened in IMID 2009, FPDI 2009, CEATEC 2009 and Display Taiwan 2009. This is going to happen in the upcoming CES show in Las vegas. Leading companies like LG Display, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony Corp and AUO are vigorously pursing the introduction of 3D TV and some companies hope to achieve from the beginning of 2010. It is estimated that by 2013, shipments of 3D TV will reach 46 Million units. There are two versions of 3D display technology currently being demonstrated. One version employs lenticular sheet as a laminating film over the 2D displays. This has the disadvantage of losing resolution in addition to the limitation on viewing angular domains. The advantage is that the viewers need not have to wear special glasses and the display is not costly. The other version requires special glasses that will not sacrifice the resolution. Without glasses the display will go to the normal mode of 2D viewing. Some companies are attempting to get rid of the glasses and preserve the resolution by incorporating some changes in the structure internal to the display. But the display becomes costly. In addition the display can not be changed to 2D mode. Viewers would not like to wear glasses but would not tend to accept any compromise in performance. Viewers also would not pay high price. It is in this respect Sumitomo 3M Ltd company is unique in that they employ a film with a novel technique of driving double-edge- lit backlight which gives the advantage of viewing 3D images without glasses and at the same time preserving the resolution with option to change from 3D to 2D mode. This technique will be a 'breakthrough' in 3D TV. 3M could be dominating in this film over the next 10 years as they did with 'prism sheet' for backlight. The mode of backlight driving in combination with the unique film can be proprietary for 3M to continue their domination. The price increase as a result of this film should be something to be watched. It should not be the same story as DBEF film which used to be costly.
