Head on this page.
Discover what kind of technology Panasonic employs for its FULL HD 3D. You will learn all about Panasonic's total end-to-end 3D solution and its 3D technology, including the Active Shutter Progressive 3D Method and more!
VIERA Global Home > 
Technology > 3D Product Technology
* This page is based on North America product information.
The innovative technologies that allow Panasonic's FULL HD 3D products
to open up a new dimension of images are described here.
When Panasonic engineers set out to develop a home-use 3D theater system, the aim was set to bring exactly the same richness and realism that you see in a 3D cinema, right into the living room. The result was FULL HD 3D. The FULL HD 3D’s concept was inspired by Hollywood 3D movie theater systems. Large capacity of Blu-ray Disc™ and excellent moving image performance of the plasma and LED LCD displays finally enabled FULL HD 3D into the real system, in which the highest image quality for each eye will be kept in the most pristine form throughout the system.
The technology in which the left-eye and right-eye 3D images are sent to the viewer is the key to 3D image quality. For this, FULL HD 3D uses something called the Frame Sequential technology.
First, the plasma display panel, which has a number of inherent advantages for moving picture resolution, was further advanced to allow images for each of the left and right eyes to be alternately reproduced at the rate of 60 frames per second (fps), making a total of 120 fps for both eyes*. Viewers watch the images through high-precision 3D Eyewear**, which open and close the left and right shutters in synchronization with the alternating images. As a result, a separate high quality image is sent to each eye. This addresses the image quality problems and blurring that were common to previous 3D systems, and creates sharp, crisp 3D images.
* For EU/Asia: The frame rate varies depending on the 3D image signal being reproduced. For example, 3D images are reproduced at 120 fps (frames per second) for a 60-Hz input signal, and 100 fps for a 50-Hz input signal.
** The 3D Eyewear (one pair for North America/Asia, two pairs for Europe) that is necessary to view the 3D content is included with each VIERA 3D TV. To share the xperience with others, additional 3D Eyewear may be purchased separately.
The screen is divided into lines from top to bottom, and the left- and right-eye images are played in a mixed, line-by-line succession. This results in lower vertical resolution than in the frame sequential technology.
The screen is divided into pixels, and the left- and right-eye images are laid out in a checkered pattern. The data that reaches each eye only has 1/2 the number of pixels that a full-HD image has.
In the three years since VIERA 3DTV debuted, the 3D world has grown and evolved. This is true not only for technical improvements in 3D picture quality, but for the whole 3D environment, including content and peripheral devices. The age of personal, easy 3D is on its way.
Enhancing 3D Content
Today, many movie theaters are showing 3D movies, and more than 100 Blu-ray 3D™ titles are available (as of 2011) with categories that include sports and music. Powerful 3D games and TV stations with 3D programming are increasing, expanding 3D content all over the world. Using the 2D-3D Conversion function, it's also easy to enjoy existing 2D content and photo/video collections in 3D.
A Growing 3DTV Lineup
In addition to the availability of 3D content, the 3DTV lineup is growing as well. You can choose the 3DTV that matches your viewing style and room.
3D Images with Minimal Afterglow
Fast Switching Phosphor
Reformulating the phosphor materials has minimized afterglow and increased luminous efficiency. This reduces double image and displays clear, detailed 3D images.
* Except for the XT Series.
Reducing the Source of Double Images
Unique Light-Emitting Process
A unique light-emission technology reduces double images in dark areas. Conventional light emission, which goes from dark-to-light, was changed to a light-to-dark sequence. This turns maximum emission afterglow into minimum emission afterglow, and dramatically reduces the afterglow duration. Also, by speeding up the timing of each light emission and expanding the interval until the next frame's emission, we greatly reduced the interference to the left and right frames, which causes double images.
High-Speed Rendering
3D Panel with High-Speed Response
Panasonic also further improved the IPS Panel's high-speed response. By narrowing the gap between layer and using a smoothly flowing liquid crystal material, it was possible to double the response speed compared with previous models. As a result, 3D images, which require both left-and right-eye images, are rendered more clearly and vividly.
The display alternately shows images for the left and right eyes. The left and right lenses of the eyewear open and close in sync with this display timing to show separate images to the left and right eyes. By repeating this action at high speed, the brain perceives 3D images. And because this method displays FULL HD 3D images just as they are, both eyes receive 3D images in high, full-HD quality.
* 3D Eyewear is required for viewing 3D images.
Panasonic 'FULL HD 3D' is defined as follows:
The advanced 2D image technologies of the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory have also been applied to 3D image playback, providing high quality images of the film that is approaching that of film. Lifelike 3D for beautifully reproduced images that leap off the screen with enhanced depth, luster and texture.
Adaptive Chroma Processing is a high quality image-processing technology developed to precisely process each pixel of Blu-ray Disc™ video signals in the vertical and horizontal directions.
Vertical color data has been increased 1.5 times (compared with 2010 models), allowing Adaptive Chroma Processing to reproduce color data more faithfully than ever before.
One output can be dedicated to an audio signal output. The twin HDMI gives better sound quality and matches the needs of the users to have the customized theater system with their legacy* audio equipments.
* Legacy audio equipment refers to audio systems that are not compatible with 3D content.
* Availability may differ depending on region.
Cinema Surround is a state-of-the-art Panasonic technology that produces impressive theater-like surround sound. 3D Cinema Surround in the 2012 models provides authentic surround sound through a total of 30 real and virtual speakers. Sound is perceived as coming from the correct direction thanks to Panasonic's proprietary direction perception control technology made possible by years of research. 3D Cinema Surround delivers a surround sound environment that satisfies like never before.
It captures your subject just like the human eyes,
to reproduce truly powerful, lifelike 3D images
By simply mounting the VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens, you can record FULL HD 3D images* with the MVC (Multiview Video Coding) recording system of the AVCHD 3D format. Right-eye and left-eye images are both recorded and played in Full-HD quality, using the Frame Sequential Method to produce FULL HD 3D images. This brings all the lifelike ambience of the actual scene right into the living room.
* For the HC-X900/X900M/X800 only. The optional VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens is required for shooting 3D images.
** A TV that is capable of side-by-side method 3D playback, 3D Eyewear, and HDMI cable connection are required to play the recorded 3D images. Some VIERA 3DTV models allow direct 3D-image playback from an SD card.
*** Applicable models
VIERA playback is possible on Spring 2012 or newer models. DIGA playback and recording are also possible on Spring 2012 or newer models. Playback on other-brand equipment produces side-by-side method 3D images.
In collaboration with leading movie studios and film crews, the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) has led the industry in creating a stream of Blu-ray 3D™ titles. By playing these exciting new titles on our new and growing line of FULL HD 3D products, you can easily transform your living room into a powerful 3D cinema.
3D broadcasting is coming alive with a growing number of 3D sports events and special 3D channels. In the US, we're working with DIRECTV to provide a wide range of content. From sports to movies and documentaries, our FULL HD 3D products make it easy to enjoy programs with stunning 3D images anytime you want.
In September 2010, Panasonic teamed up with DIRECTV and CBS Sports to broadcast the men's and women's single semi-finals and finals of the US Open in 3D for the first time. The AG-3DA1 was used for the production of the US Open broadcasts in 3D. The broadcasts of the matches were shown on DIRECTV's n3D™ powered by Panasonic and in selected Best Buy stores across the U.S.
Mounting the optional VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens onto the HC-X900/X900M/X800 makes it possible to record FULL HD 3D images with the MVC (Multiview Video Coding) recording system of the AVCHD 3D format. This brings all the lifelike ambience of the actual scene right into the living room.
Panasonic introduces the world's first* interchangeable lens for high-quality 3D shooting with an interchangeable lens system camera. Complying with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the 3D-capable LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 lens is remarkably compact and lightweight. It enables easy, instant 3D shooting without requiring a special structure for the camera.
* For a digital interchangeable lens as of September 21, 2010.
• Micro Four Thirds™ and Micro Four Thirds Logo marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Olympus Imaging Corporation, in Japan, the United States, the European Union and other countries.
The Panasonic 3D Innovation Center was established to accelerate the development and expansion of 3D businesses. By taking full advantage of the collective strengths of the Panasonic Group to spur the development of its 3D-related technologies and services, we are thus committed to creating new business models and strengthening total solutions to meet customer needs ahead of the times.
Panasonic received the International 3D Society's first Charles Wheatstone Award acknowledging its leadership in advocating for FULL HD 3D Plasma TV, its development of innovative 3D TV and video solutions, and its history of educating consumers about the benefits of 3D TV.
VIERA Global Home > Technology > 3D Product Technology
