Seoul, Korea — In 2009, Samsung Electronics released the first 3D monitor, setting a new milestone for the display industry. The technology that brought us the kind of 3D images previously seen only in science-fiction films and animations was developed to a practical stage, making it possible to put 3D on a flat TV screen.
As a result, 2010 was a year in which the 3D-display industry took off. Though they are more expensive than regular TVs, 3D TVs sold like hotcakes around the world and more 3D movies began to hit theaters.
However, 2010 was also a year when the PC industry and 3D weren’t so close. Though 3D spread fast in the TV and projector industries, in the PC monitor market, LED monitors with LED backlighting were taking hold.
Now it seems that 3D screens, which started with PCs, are coming back home. Samsung Electronics, which has shown incredible worldwide success with its 3D TV, will again be opening market for 3D PC monitors in 2011.
◇ 3D comes back to the PC with LED = CES 2011, overrun with various tablet devices in the 10-inch range, will also exhibit two PC monitors released by Samsung Electronics. The SyncMaster’s 9 Series and 7 Series are the main attractions, and both have 3D functions with LED backlighting.
There is great significance in Samsung Electronics, with its hold in the display market in Korea and worldwide, releasing 3D LED monitors, because its new entries on the market help revive a somewhat sluggish 3D market.
The 3D-display fever that started in the beginning of last year slowed down in the second half of the year. The biggest reason for this was the lack of 3D content. There were TVs and projectors that can show 3D images, but there wasn’t enough content worth seeing.
Also the 3D infrastructure wasn’t fully functional. The support for producing 3D content was low, and the laws on 3D broadcasting were still in the process of being drawn up and examined.
On the other hand, it was easy to access 3D content in the PC industry. The 3D games that were available only required special graphic cards, drivers, and special glasses to show 3D content so there were no problems with supply.
Also, unlike movies and TV programs, games are not set aside after a one-time use but can be used differently every time, so there was little danger in running out of content.
Not only games but other PC applications as well can make use of 3D graphics. For example, works of art rendered in 3D or works designed with CAD can be viewed in a more realistic manner, increasing effectiveness.
The graphics chipset manufacturers active in the development of 3D technology are also a big help in making 3D monitors a staple of the PC industry.
It is proposed that by combining 3D and LED, the LED market, which is taking over the CCFL monitor market, will accelerate even more. The purchase value of the products will increase by adding 3D functionality to LED monitors with slim footprint and half the power consumption of previous models.
Of course, 2011 has just begun, so it isn’t safe to be optimistic about all aspects of 3D TVs yet. In particular, the relatively high price of 3D LED monitors is somethingt consumers might be sensitive about.
Now that Samsung Electronics has released two models that combine 3D with LED, it is certain that other companies will follow in its footsteps. If last year was the year of the plain LED monitor, 2011 might well turn out to be the year of the next generation of the 3D LED monitors.
By Choi Yong Suk (rpch@betanews.net)
Source: Betanews (Original article in Korean)
Photo from Betanews DB
