I figured that it might be nice to have a dedicated thread for user reviews of all the 3DTVs currently available on the market. This thread will include reviews of 3DTVs and 3D glasses but will eventually be expanded to include 3D sources such as Blu-ray players, video game consoles, PCs, etc. My goal is to keep it organized in an easy to read format that contains all the information any prospective 3D enthusiast would want to help decide which hardware to purchase. If you would like to add your own review/comparison of a 3D setup please follow the same format used in this post to make browsing and comparing easier.
Here is my comparisons and reviews of all the 3D configurations I have seen to date. It will be expanded through time as more models are released and I am able to view more demos.
3DTV Reviews:
3DTV: Samsung UN55C7000 (LED edge-lit)
3D Glasses: Samsung SSG-2100AB (battery), Samsung SSG-2200AR (rechargeable)
3D Blu-ray Player: Samsung BD-C6900
3D Content: MvA 3D demo Blu-ray, MvA 3D Blu-ray
Pros:
-Thin display
-Great 3D effect (9.5/10)
-Cheap (and often on sale and/or includes bundles)
-Many user adjustable options within settings to adjust picture and 3D effects/sync
-2D->3D conversion
-Supports optional 1.4a 3D formats (line-by-line (Xpol), vertical stripe, checkerboard, frequency (page flip))
-Low to zero ghosting/crosstalk (mostly dependent on content)
-Moderate 3D effect is maintained while head is tilted at 45 degrees
-Playback of SbS, TnB, and 2D->3D conversion of video files up to 1920x1080p via USB flash drive
Cons:
-Image becomes darker as head is tilted and becomes completely black at 90 degrees
-Cumbersome menus and prompts to enable 3D mode
-Backlight clouding is present and poor blacks (7.5/10)
-Reflective display
Review:
The Samsung UN55C7000 has so many great features it's hard to know where to start. First off, the 3D effect is phenomenal. It is only surpassed by the Panasonic in that regard. Blacks are also decent for a mid-range 3D set but does show noticeable clouding and greyness not apparent in any other 3DTV from Samsung, Sony, or Panasonic. One of the best features of all Samsung 3DTVs is their support of a ton of 3D input formats. This includes supporting optional HDMI 1.4a 3D formats, 3D movie playback from flash drives, and 2D->3D conversion.
Both of the Samsung 3D glasses are also very comfortable. They sit in the middle of my scale right in between the Panasonic on the "absolutely suck" end and the Sony on the "these feel like Oakleys" end.
One of the oddities I found when comparing the MvA demo disc and the full 3D Blu-ray is that the 3D and sharpness on the full version appears to be better than the demo. Due to time constraints I was unable to view the same scenes contained on the demo disc on the full Blu-ray, but from what I did see I was much more blown away simply watching the first 5 minutes of the movie compared to the entire demo disc.
The only real downside that will be constantly annoying is the way to enable 3D. If your content is 3DBD then the Blu-ray player will ask 2D or 3D. If you choose 3D the TV will then popup saying put your glasses on and you will need to press OK. If the content is anything else you will need to start playing it and then press the 3D button. You will then get the message to turn on the glasses. The next prompt asks what format the 3D is. The screen flickers every time you press left or right to change to the next format. If you are using "Media Play" from a flash drive it also will turn off 3D every time you hit the return button.
The Samsung C7000 series was the first modern 3DTV on the market. It includes more features than its competition from other manufacturers and is only beaten in overall performance by the C8000 and C9000 series offered by Samsung. What the Samsung C7000 series lacks from its higher-end siblings it makes up for with price. It is consistently offered with hundreds of dollars taken off the MSRP and also includes insane bundle deals such as a 3D Blu-ray player, 2-4 3D glasses, Monsters vs Aliens 3D Blu-ray, and home installation for prices sometimes no greater than the TVs MSRP! Honestly the Samsung UN55C7000 is almost impossible not to recommend. It offers some of the best value to be had in the 3DTV marketplace and is extremely competitive with its features and specifications.
3D experience: 9.5/10
2D PQ: 8.5/10
Overall value: 9/10
----------------------------
3DTV: Samsung UN55C9000 (LED edge-lit)
3D Glasses: Samsung SSG-2200AR (rechargeable)
3D Blu-ray Player: Samsung BD-C6900
3D STB: DirecTV (unknown model)
3D Content: World Cup, ESPN3D advertisements, N3D demo channel, underwater short documentary
Pros:
-Thinnest display on market
-Great blacks (9/10)
-Great 3D effect (9.5/10)
-Many user adjustable options within settings to adjust picture and 3D effects/sync
-2D->3D conversion
-Supports optional 1.4a 3D formats (line-by-line (Xpol), vertical stripe, checkerboard, frequency (page flip))
-Low to zero ghosting/crosstalk (mostly dependent on content)
-Moderate 3D effect is maintained while head is tilted at 45 degrees
-Touchscreen remote that allows playback of on screen content (non-3D) on remote
-Playback of SbS, TnB, and 2D->3D conversion of video files up to 1920x1080p via USB flash drive
-Slideout on-TV controls for power, volume, channel, and source
Cons:
-Insane cost ($7k!)
-Image becomes darker as head is tilted and becomes completely black at 90 degrees
-Cumbersome menus and prompts to enable 3D mode
-Reflective display
Review:
The Samsung UN55C9000 specifications are mostly the same as the C7000 and C8000 lineup. Where it differs is that it is extremely thin, so thin that all the inputs are in the base and not the rear of the panel like usual. It also has a cool slide out bar for controlling simple commands on the TV itself. The frame of the C9000 is simply breathtaking. It really does look like a TV that is made for hanging on the wall to look amazing. Another feature of the C9000 that differentiates itself from the Samsung lineup is the inclusion of a touchscreen remote. This remote allows you to mirror the content seen on the TV on the remote itself as long as you aren't watching 3D. It's a neat thing to have on a $7,000 TV, but I found myself preferring to use the normal Samsung remote since the touchscreen cannot show all the buttons at once and requires going through the menu and searching to access different functions.
Other features of the C9000 series are shared with the C7000 and can be read my review of the UN55C7000 above. The menu and notification system is the same as the C7000 and my opinions on this can also be read in my review of the C7000 above.
Overall I would not recommend the C9000 series to anyone other than someone who has no budget and just wants the most aesthetically pleasing 3DTV available. It simply isn't worth $7k since it only adds pleasant aesthetics over the C7000.
3D experience: 9.5/10
2D PQ: 9/10
Overall value: 6/10
----------------------------
3DTV: Panasonic TC-P58VT25 (plasma)
3D Glasses: Panasonic TY-EW3D10U
3D Blu-ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BDT350
3D Content: Panasonic 3D demo disc (puppies, Grand Canyon, etc)
Pros:
-Great picture
-Deepest blacks (10/10)
-Great 3D effect (10/10)
-No ghosting/crosstalk
-3D effect maintained with head tilt up to 90 degrees
-MPO format 3D image playback via USB flash frive
-3D glasses designed to fit comfortably over prescription eyewear
-Mail in form to receive 3DBD versions of Coraline and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Cons:
-Terrible 3D glasses for viewers without prescription eyewear (fit and design)
-No 2D->3D conversion
-Only supports mandatory HDMI 1.4a formats
-No 3D video playback from USB flash drive
-Typically more expensive than comparable Samsung bundles (7000 or 8000 series)
Review:
The Panasonic VT25 series has the best 3D effect of any sets I have tested. It has the most pronounced pop-out and depth, along with the deepest black levels and amazing colors. If you simply want the best 3D possible, then this would be the best set out there, with one caveat: the 3D glasses absolutely SUCK. Seriously, they don't fit at all and they are extremely bulky. All the weight is right on your nose and they constantly feel like they are going to fall off (which they do). At the current
moment I don't recommend the Panasonic VT25 if the glasses do not fit. If they fit and you just want the best 3D effect then go for it. If they don't fit then you are going to have to wait for either the XpanD X103 or MonsterVision 3D glasses before this TV is even an option.
The lack of optional 3D format support is also a bummer. Whereas the Samsung supports basically every format out there, the Panasonic only supports MPO files via USB flash memory. This is disappointing since if you would like to use Arcsoft Total Media Theatre 3 or Cyberlink PowerDVD 10 instead of a 3D Blu-ray player you are out of luck until the NVIDIA 3DTV Play driver/software is released since neither software supports frame-packed output without it (only checkerboard support for now).
3D experience (if glasses fit): 10/10
3D experience (if glasses don't fit): 0/10
2D PQ: 9.5/10
Overall value: 6/10
----------------------------
3DTV: Sony KDL-46HX800 (LED precision dimming edge-lit)
3D Glasses: Sony
3D Blu-ray Player: Sony (unknown model)
3D Content: MvA 3D Blu-ray
Pros:
-Great blacks (9.5/10)
-Great 3D effect (9/10)
-2D->3D conversion
-Thin display
-Insanely easy to enable 3D mode for Blu-ray
-Most comfortable glasses
-Includes code for free download of Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, PAiN, Super Stardust HD, and Wipeout HD in 3D on PS3
-Register the TV and Sony will send BD3D versions of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and IMAX Deep Sea 3D
Cons:
-Image loses 3D effect with slight tilting of head and is complately gone at 45 degree tilt
-Ghosting/crosstalk immediately visible with slight head tilt
-Requires external 3D emitter (sold seperately) model TMR-BR100 with $50 MSRP
-Manual does not mention supported 3D formats (therefore I currently have no way of knowing what it supports!)
-Slight flicker sometimes noticeable when viewing 3D
Review:
The KDL-46HX800 was the only Sony 3DTV Best Buy had setup when I visited. It did not include a 3D demo disc so we used the Monsters Vs Aliens disc from the Samsung bundle to demo the 3D capabilities. The black levels were amazing and only slightly worse than the Panasonic VT25 series. Enabling the 3D mode for MvA was also the simplest I have seen from any
configuration. All that was required was to put the disc in, select English at the language selection screen and then the movie started. Toggling 3D on or off is a single button press on the remote with on screen display for a couple seconds in the bottom left corner in white text stating "3D On" or "3D Off". The 3D glasses also have the best build quality and most comfortable fit of any manufacturers.
Unfortunately all the great features of the Sony HX800 series is completely overshadowed by its shortfalls in 3D mode. For one the 3D glasses only have a single LCD polarizer. This causes the image to lose the 3D effect and show significant ghosting/crosstalk with even a slight (10 degrees) head tilt. This is completely unacceptable and I cannot recommend any Sony 3DTV until it is possible to use a different pair of 3D glasses or Sony issues a new version of 3D glasses that uses two polarizing filters like the Samsung glasses. To add insult to injury the 3D image can sometimes have noticeable flicker. The requirement of an external 3D emitter that costs $50 is even worse when you consider every other 3DTV has a built in emitter.
I was not able to test this set's 2D->3D conversion during my visit to Best Buy due to time constraints.
3D experience (with Sony glasses and no head tilting): 8/10
3D experience (with Sony glasses and head tilting): 0/10
2D PQ: 9.5/10
Overall value: 5/10
Notes: If flicker issue in 3D is resolved (read: removed) then 3D experience with Sony glasses and no head tilting will be 9.5/10.
Here is my comparisons and reviews of all the 3D configurations I have seen to date. It will be expanded through time as more models are released and I am able to view more demos.
3DTV Reviews:
3DTV: Samsung UN55C7000 (LED edge-lit)
3D Glasses: Samsung SSG-2100AB (battery), Samsung SSG-2200AR (rechargeable)
3D Blu-ray Player: Samsung BD-C6900
3D Content: MvA 3D demo Blu-ray, MvA 3D Blu-ray
Pros:
-Thin display
-Great 3D effect (9.5/10)
-Cheap (and often on sale and/or includes bundles)
-Many user adjustable options within settings to adjust picture and 3D effects/sync
-2D->3D conversion
-Supports optional 1.4a 3D formats (line-by-line (Xpol), vertical stripe, checkerboard, frequency (page flip))
-Low to zero ghosting/crosstalk (mostly dependent on content)
-Moderate 3D effect is maintained while head is tilted at 45 degrees
-Playback of SbS, TnB, and 2D->3D conversion of video files up to 1920x1080p via USB flash drive
Cons:
-Image becomes darker as head is tilted and becomes completely black at 90 degrees
-Cumbersome menus and prompts to enable 3D mode
-Backlight clouding is present and poor blacks (7.5/10)
-Reflective display
Review:
The Samsung UN55C7000 has so many great features it's hard to know where to start. First off, the 3D effect is phenomenal. It is only surpassed by the Panasonic in that regard. Blacks are also decent for a mid-range 3D set but does show noticeable clouding and greyness not apparent in any other 3DTV from Samsung, Sony, or Panasonic. One of the best features of all Samsung 3DTVs is their support of a ton of 3D input formats. This includes supporting optional HDMI 1.4a 3D formats, 3D movie playback from flash drives, and 2D->3D conversion.
Both of the Samsung 3D glasses are also very comfortable. They sit in the middle of my scale right in between the Panasonic on the "absolutely suck" end and the Sony on the "these feel like Oakleys" end.
One of the oddities I found when comparing the MvA demo disc and the full 3D Blu-ray is that the 3D and sharpness on the full version appears to be better than the demo. Due to time constraints I was unable to view the same scenes contained on the demo disc on the full Blu-ray, but from what I did see I was much more blown away simply watching the first 5 minutes of the movie compared to the entire demo disc.
The only real downside that will be constantly annoying is the way to enable 3D. If your content is 3DBD then the Blu-ray player will ask 2D or 3D. If you choose 3D the TV will then popup saying put your glasses on and you will need to press OK. If the content is anything else you will need to start playing it and then press the 3D button. You will then get the message to turn on the glasses. The next prompt asks what format the 3D is. The screen flickers every time you press left or right to change to the next format. If you are using "Media Play" from a flash drive it also will turn off 3D every time you hit the return button.
The Samsung C7000 series was the first modern 3DTV on the market. It includes more features than its competition from other manufacturers and is only beaten in overall performance by the C8000 and C9000 series offered by Samsung. What the Samsung C7000 series lacks from its higher-end siblings it makes up for with price. It is consistently offered with hundreds of dollars taken off the MSRP and also includes insane bundle deals such as a 3D Blu-ray player, 2-4 3D glasses, Monsters vs Aliens 3D Blu-ray, and home installation for prices sometimes no greater than the TVs MSRP! Honestly the Samsung UN55C7000 is almost impossible not to recommend. It offers some of the best value to be had in the 3DTV marketplace and is extremely competitive with its features and specifications.
3D experience: 9.5/10
2D PQ: 8.5/10
Overall value: 9/10
----------------------------
3DTV: Samsung UN55C9000 (LED edge-lit)
3D Glasses: Samsung SSG-2200AR (rechargeable)
3D Blu-ray Player: Samsung BD-C6900
3D STB: DirecTV (unknown model)
3D Content: World Cup, ESPN3D advertisements, N3D demo channel, underwater short documentary
Pros:
-Thinnest display on market
-Great blacks (9/10)
-Great 3D effect (9.5/10)
-Many user adjustable options within settings to adjust picture and 3D effects/sync
-2D->3D conversion
-Supports optional 1.4a 3D formats (line-by-line (Xpol), vertical stripe, checkerboard, frequency (page flip))
-Low to zero ghosting/crosstalk (mostly dependent on content)
-Moderate 3D effect is maintained while head is tilted at 45 degrees
-Touchscreen remote that allows playback of on screen content (non-3D) on remote
-Playback of SbS, TnB, and 2D->3D conversion of video files up to 1920x1080p via USB flash drive
-Slideout on-TV controls for power, volume, channel, and source
Cons:
-Insane cost ($7k!)
-Image becomes darker as head is tilted and becomes completely black at 90 degrees
-Cumbersome menus and prompts to enable 3D mode
-Reflective display
Review:
The Samsung UN55C9000 specifications are mostly the same as the C7000 and C8000 lineup. Where it differs is that it is extremely thin, so thin that all the inputs are in the base and not the rear of the panel like usual. It also has a cool slide out bar for controlling simple commands on the TV itself. The frame of the C9000 is simply breathtaking. It really does look like a TV that is made for hanging on the wall to look amazing. Another feature of the C9000 that differentiates itself from the Samsung lineup is the inclusion of a touchscreen remote. This remote allows you to mirror the content seen on the TV on the remote itself as long as you aren't watching 3D. It's a neat thing to have on a $7,000 TV, but I found myself preferring to use the normal Samsung remote since the touchscreen cannot show all the buttons at once and requires going through the menu and searching to access different functions.
Other features of the C9000 series are shared with the C7000 and can be read my review of the UN55C7000 above. The menu and notification system is the same as the C7000 and my opinions on this can also be read in my review of the C7000 above.
Overall I would not recommend the C9000 series to anyone other than someone who has no budget and just wants the most aesthetically pleasing 3DTV available. It simply isn't worth $7k since it only adds pleasant aesthetics over the C7000.
3D experience: 9.5/10
2D PQ: 9/10
Overall value: 6/10
----------------------------
3DTV: Panasonic TC-P58VT25 (plasma)
3D Glasses: Panasonic TY-EW3D10U
3D Blu-ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BDT350
3D Content: Panasonic 3D demo disc (puppies, Grand Canyon, etc)
Pros:
-Great picture
-Deepest blacks (10/10)
-Great 3D effect (10/10)
-No ghosting/crosstalk
-3D effect maintained with head tilt up to 90 degrees
-MPO format 3D image playback via USB flash frive
-3D glasses designed to fit comfortably over prescription eyewear
-Mail in form to receive 3DBD versions of Coraline and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Cons:
-Terrible 3D glasses for viewers without prescription eyewear (fit and design)
-No 2D->3D conversion
-Only supports mandatory HDMI 1.4a formats
-No 3D video playback from USB flash drive
-Typically more expensive than comparable Samsung bundles (7000 or 8000 series)
Review:
The Panasonic VT25 series has the best 3D effect of any sets I have tested. It has the most pronounced pop-out and depth, along with the deepest black levels and amazing colors. If you simply want the best 3D possible, then this would be the best set out there, with one caveat: the 3D glasses absolutely SUCK. Seriously, they don't fit at all and they are extremely bulky. All the weight is right on your nose and they constantly feel like they are going to fall off (which they do). At the current
moment I don't recommend the Panasonic VT25 if the glasses do not fit. If they fit and you just want the best 3D effect then go for it. If they don't fit then you are going to have to wait for either the XpanD X103 or MonsterVision 3D glasses before this TV is even an option.
The lack of optional 3D format support is also a bummer. Whereas the Samsung supports basically every format out there, the Panasonic only supports MPO files via USB flash memory. This is disappointing since if you would like to use Arcsoft Total Media Theatre 3 or Cyberlink PowerDVD 10 instead of a 3D Blu-ray player you are out of luck until the NVIDIA 3DTV Play driver/software is released since neither software supports frame-packed output without it (only checkerboard support for now).
3D experience (if glasses fit): 10/10
3D experience (if glasses don't fit): 0/10
2D PQ: 9.5/10
Overall value: 6/10
----------------------------
3DTV: Sony KDL-46HX800 (LED precision dimming edge-lit)
3D Glasses: Sony
3D Blu-ray Player: Sony (unknown model)
3D Content: MvA 3D Blu-ray
Pros:
-Great blacks (9.5/10)
-Great 3D effect (9/10)
-2D->3D conversion
-Thin display
-Insanely easy to enable 3D mode for Blu-ray
-Most comfortable glasses
-Includes code for free download of Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, PAiN, Super Stardust HD, and Wipeout HD in 3D on PS3
-Register the TV and Sony will send BD3D versions of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and IMAX Deep Sea 3D
Cons:
-Image loses 3D effect with slight tilting of head and is complately gone at 45 degree tilt
-Ghosting/crosstalk immediately visible with slight head tilt
-Requires external 3D emitter (sold seperately) model TMR-BR100 with $50 MSRP
-Manual does not mention supported 3D formats (therefore I currently have no way of knowing what it supports!)
-Slight flicker sometimes noticeable when viewing 3D
Review:
The KDL-46HX800 was the only Sony 3DTV Best Buy had setup when I visited. It did not include a 3D demo disc so we used the Monsters Vs Aliens disc from the Samsung bundle to demo the 3D capabilities. The black levels were amazing and only slightly worse than the Panasonic VT25 series. Enabling the 3D mode for MvA was also the simplest I have seen from any
configuration. All that was required was to put the disc in, select English at the language selection screen and then the movie started. Toggling 3D on or off is a single button press on the remote with on screen display for a couple seconds in the bottom left corner in white text stating "3D On" or "3D Off". The 3D glasses also have the best build quality and most comfortable fit of any manufacturers.
Unfortunately all the great features of the Sony HX800 series is completely overshadowed by its shortfalls in 3D mode. For one the 3D glasses only have a single LCD polarizer. This causes the image to lose the 3D effect and show significant ghosting/crosstalk with even a slight (10 degrees) head tilt. This is completely unacceptable and I cannot recommend any Sony 3DTV until it is possible to use a different pair of 3D glasses or Sony issues a new version of 3D glasses that uses two polarizing filters like the Samsung glasses. To add insult to injury the 3D image can sometimes have noticeable flicker. The requirement of an external 3D emitter that costs $50 is even worse when you consider every other 3DTV has a built in emitter.
I was not able to test this set's 2D->3D conversion during my visit to Best Buy due to time constraints.
3D experience (with Sony glasses and no head tilting): 8/10
3D experience (with Sony glasses and head tilting): 0/10
2D PQ: 9.5/10
Overall value: 5/10
Notes: If flicker issue in 3D is resolved (read: removed) then 3D experience with Sony glasses and no head tilting will be 9.5/10.
for whatever interest that may have. There is little comparing various 3d sets, because I haven't viewed any others.
Congrats on getting the TV! I'd love to hear your impressions on it when you get it. To answer your questions, there IS a Game Mode on the TV that you can switch under the Settings tab, but I have not messed with that yet and therefore cannot comment on whether it improves lag on an FPS (like Halo). Also, I would recommend leaving the PQ preset at "Standard." I know a number of people here have suggested "Movie" mode, but that's too washed out for my eyes and Standard looks a lot better to me. YMMV.
