XpanD to Ship Universal 3D Glasses in October for Home, Cinema Use

XpanD’s line of universal 3D glasses launched at IFA last week are said to work with all 3D TVs and in certain U.S. theaters that use active 3D systems. The $129 glasses will be in stores worldwide by the end of October, said a company spokesman. XpanD positions the glasses as a universal solution -- working with both TVs and at the cinema -- compared with the active-shutter universal glasses Monster Cable introduced last summer that come with their own transmitter ($249 for one pair of glasses and transmitter) and work just with 3D TVs.

No transmitter is necessary for the XpanD glasses, the spokesman said. “The glasses recognize the IR signal being transmitted from the television,” he said. Viewers can also use the glasses with XpanD cinema systems at theaters in the U.S. that utilize active 3D, he said.

XpanD’s website lists compatible 3D integrated and 3D-ready TVs including eight models from Sony, seven from Panasonic, six from LG, five from Philips, 19 from Samsung and several dozen models from Mitsubishi covering the past couple of years, including some that require adapters, the site said. While the site said the list of TVs and projectors were compatible with XpanD’s Model 103 glasses, it added the disclaimer “XpanD relies on manufactures’ data. XpanD did not perform tests on all these TVs and projectors.” XpanD said its active-shutter solution uses a fast switching speed that eliminates potential viewing discomfort. “There are no headaches, ghosting, or eyestrain often associated with some other 3D solutions,” according to the website.

Features of the Model 103 glasses include Full 1080 3D resolution to both eyes, a 170-degree 3D viewing angle to accommodate multiple viewers or game players, high transmission ratio for bright images and a rugged, flexible design, the company said. The Model 103 bundle comes with extra CR2032 batteries rated at up to 100 hours of use, nose pieces and a microfiber storage bag, the company said.

Stores where consumers can test and purchase the glasses include The Big Screen Store, Linder’s, Starpower, Bjorn’s, Hess Electronics, CSH, Standard TV & Appliance, and Abt Electronics, according to the website. E-tailers selling the glasses include Tigerdirect, Onecall, 4electronicwarehouse, Bbuy.com, Sears, Tru3d and Aspenmediaproducts.