Sharp Finally Announces 3D

Until now, Sharp has been content to let Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony hog the 3D spotlight. But Sharp's first 3D HDTVs will hit Japan this summer, with introductions in the U.S., Europe, and China to follow by December.

Sharp's 3D strategy was conspicuous in its absence from CES a few months ago. As Tom Norton reported in our show blog, the company's big news was the addition of a yellow sub-pixel to the standard array of red, green, and blue. 3D prototypes were on the floor but the official announcement didn't follow until a press conference on April 12.

The Aquos 3D sets will use LCD panels, as opposed to speedier plasma technology. Sharp says its high-speed panels will eliminate crosstalk ghosting. They will require special glasses. The technology is billed as "the world's first four-primary-color 3D LCD."

See Reuters and press release. Sharp also announced the development of a touchscreen LCD switchable between 2D and 3D (pictured).

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