In what may turn out to be a sneak peek of CES 2011 HDTV trends, LG announced the newest entry to their 2011 HDTV lineup--and it's a 3D TV that doesn't use the heavy, expensive active-shutter 3D glasses.
LG's new 65-inch LW6500 uses polarized lens-glasses, similar to the kinds of glasses used in 3D movie theaters, to achieve the 3D effect. Unlike active-shutter glasses, which use small LCD screens to alternately dim each lens, polarized 3D glasses don't require a battery and should be more forgiving of viewers seated at different angles. Best of all, LG claims they're "Flicker Free", with two certifications from Intertek and TÜV to bolster their claim, so you won't have that annoying flickering-light problem when you sit down to watch your 3D flicks.
Polarized 3D glasses are also significantly cheaper to manufacture and lighter (LG's glasses weigh 16 grams) so they won't be as tiring to wear. Note that there is no estimated retail price or ship date yet, though the LW6500 will roll out "in select markets" after CES.
LG isn't the only TV manufacturer to announce polarized 3D TVs, however--Vizio announced similar "Theater 3D" TV features across their entire HDTV lineup today.
Also noteworthy: the LW6500 also has a film covering the screen LG calls the "3D Light Boost", which is supposed to make 3D images appear as bright as possible. No word yet on whether this affects standard 2D television viewing yet--stay tuned for hands-on updates once the show floor opens.
Of course, the LW6500 includes the standard gamut of LG features--it's an edge-lit LED display (though it does have the "LED Plus" local dimming features) with a 200hz refresh rate, 2D-to-3D upconversion, and LG's Smart TV Internet-connected features (LG Apps, Hulu Plus, YouTube, and so on).
Make sure to stay tuned to our CES 2011 landing page for more up-to-the-minute updates from the show floor.