Reaffirming its commitment to active-shutter 3D technology, Xpand introduced new...

Reaffirming its commitment to active-shutter 3D technology, Xpand introduced new 3D glasses at its CES news conference Wednesday, led by a high-end model called Youniversal that’s upgradeable through an onboard mini USB port. Due in stores in April at $200-$250, Youniversal glasses are said to be customizable to each viewer according to age, viewing distance, preference for “aggressive” or “mild” 3D, ambient light, TV model and other factors, according to Ami Dror, chief strategy officer. Users provide viewing preferences and viewing parameters to the glasses via a smartphone app that will initially be available for iPhones and Android models. The glasses will communicate via infrared, Bluetooth, radio frequency or DLP-Link, the company said. Xpand also showed an entry-level family pack of affordable universal glasses -- “very similar” to the new series but without the programmability” -- that will begin shipping in February. The pack is designed to be an affordable entry point to 3D for a family of four, said CEO Maria Costeira, who said pricing will be set by retailers. Costeira and Dror blasted the wave of passive TVs coming out, for potential ghosting and blurry images due to loss of resolution resulting from passive technology. “We understand there are manufacturers who make low-cost panels and this is the only way for them to get in to 3D,” Dror said. “But 3D must be better or people are not going to buy it.”