HDI concocts 100-inch laser-based 3-D HDTV, calls rivaling technology child's play

[JediFonger]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/h...valing-techno/

1000+ Hz, that's freakin' incredible!!! =)

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/h...valing-techno/

1000+ Hz, that's freakin' incredible!!! =)

It's cool that they can do it.....

but

1) it's going to be cost prohibitive for a long time

2) I don't have a want/need for 3D

[ManUtd]

http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjo...162000^2546531

A 3-D television set that uses less energy may appear on Christmas wish lists next year.

HDi Ltd. in September debuted the prototype of its patented, laser-driven 100-inch diagonal 2-D/3-D projection television technology, drawing the comment that “without a doubt, this is the best demonstration of 3-D technology I have ever seen” from Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak. That compliment was followed by an invitation from Intel Corp. Chief Technology Officer Justin Rattner to present at the Intel Developer Forum during Rattner’s keynote on the future of television.

The Los Gatos-based company this month took the leap from prototype to reality when it partnered with a manufacturer in China to build the first versions of its television. A handful of units should be available by May. HDi hopes to have full-scale production running in time for Christmas next year.

The company was bootstrapped by co-founder and CEO Ingemar Jansson, a display industry veteran who invested $5 million. Jansson bought the intellectual property from Fremont-based Microdisplay Corp. that went bust in 2007 after $50 million in funding. HDi employs 10 and is on University Avenue.

Estimated to cost between $10,000 and $15,000, HDi television isn’t cheap. But the company claims its technology offers greater-than-high-def resolution and draws 80 percent less power than existing 2-D flatscreen plasma monitors of the same size. The company says it also offers a 95 percent reduction in manufacturing pollution, and a 100 percent reduction in harmful chemicals and radioactive components. At 10 inches thick, HDi’s 100-inch diagonal display weighs 75 percent less than equivalent plasma and LCD displays.

By comparison, Panasonic’s 103-inch 3-D TV weighs hundreds of pounds and costs $75,000.

For users who experience nausea and dizziness from traditional 3-D viewing, HDi offers another advantage — “passive” glasses, which are less likely than the traditional and expensive “active” glasses to cause adverse symptoms.

Jansson said HDi recently hosted representatives of the six largest Japanese television manufacturers, including Sharp Corp., Sony Corp. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. He invited the competition, Jansson quipped, “out of spite.” But he wanted the manufacturers to see that the passive glass method of viewing looks better and functions better than traditional methods.

“We wanted to see if they would be interested in licensing the technology,” Jansson said. “For the moment we are looking at mass manufacturing, but there may be a time where they can buy the parts from us.”

Jin-woong Kim, a researcher at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute in Korea, said 3-D television has a chance if the industry finds a way to lower the price on devices and acquire more content.

[Beta Man]

even without the 3D capability.......that is a good price for a 100" display

[tom pain]

Don't think I have 100" of wall space but I want it!

The weight statistic surprised me a bit.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

even without the 3D capability.......that is a good price for a 100" display

I agree. If they can deliver all their promises, greater-than-high-def-resolution, 80% less power consumption, 75% less weight, etc. and of course the 100" display that's not a FP selling at $10k-15k is great even in today's prices. The closest available today is the 103" Panny and heavily discounted is still around $40k. We'll see in May.

[naturephoto1]

I presume that this will work for 2D as well as 3D. Does it make sense for those of us considering something in the 110" Projection Screen (Stewart) and a $10,000 to $20,000 Projector to wait and possibly purchase this instead?

Rich

[ManUtd]

^The article says it's a 2D/3D TV. If I was in the market for an FP setup in the same price range I would definitely wait 6 months to see if this TV is a good alternative.

[swifty7]

these companies always make outlandish claims.......I'll believe it when I see it for myself.

[JBL4645]

Originally Posted by ManUtd

^The article says it's a 2D/3D TV. If I was in the market for an FP setup in the same price range I would definitely wait 6 months to see if this TV is a good alternative.

And a few more years for the price to be within, everyone’s reaching. £10 to£15K is a lot of money to take up wall space.

Are there any videos on youtube showing a prototype in action. Laser HDI TV how does that work?

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by ManUtd

^The article says it's a 2D/3D TV. If I was in the market for an FP setup in the same price range I would definitely wait 6 months to see if this TV is a good alternative.

Getting it into the average home may be extremely problematic... unless you have extraordinarily tall doors.... and probably a crane.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

Getting it into the average home may be extremely problematic... unless you have extraordinarily tall doors.... and probably a crane.

So true. But on the other hand, this TV isn't targeted for the average home.

[Stoyanov]

I think they won't be producing 40-60-inch TVs because of the costs (though probably for the first couple of years). How cheap would those be? $2000 52" 3D laser set?