Toshiba Unleashes Glasses-free 3D TV and New Laptop Models
The hotly anticipated glasses-free 3D TV is here, and Toshiba has more than the 55-inch RZ1 to show at their recent media event. Here are some of the highlights which include the newly introduced Power TV series as well as the new Qosmio and Satellite notebooks.
Asia Witnesses Its First Glasses-free 3D TV
Consumer electronics makers have been toying with the idea of glasses-free displays ever since the onslaught of stereoscopic screens in recent history. Toshiba, Intel, ASUS, and LG have all dabbled with it at some point in time, including a handful of 3D displays crafted for notebooks. As for stereoscopic televisions, however, Toshiba is said to be the first to push a glasses-free 3D TV to the consumer market with their recent introduction of the 55-inch RZ1 in Asia, alternatively known as the ZL2 in the US and the UK. Today, we had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Quad Full-HD screen to determine if the it was worth the wait, and if its glasses-free 3D technology was mature enough to win consumers' hearts. Here are our initial observations of Toshiba's 3D LED-backlit TV (which does 2D to 3D conversion too) as well as the smattering of updated Satellite and Qosmio notebooks. Toshiba's media event was held at Scape earlier today.
As expected with most Toshiba announcements, models are aplenty during the media launch held at Scape earlier today. Besides parading with the new Satellite laptops, one male model (far left) also sashayed down the catwalk with the new Power TV in hand. Hint: the 32-inch TV weighs only 4.5kg!
Look Ma! No Glasses!
Toshiba's RZ1 flagship display looks pretty much like any other 3D TVs with its relatively nondescript looks. That is, till you get to its 3D side of things. So how does this glasses-free business work exactly? We understand from Toshiba that the panel is divided into nine viewing zones. And each of this zone boasts of its own set of tiny lenticular lenses, designed to project left and right eye images to create a stereoscopic effect for the viewer. In essence, there are technically nine 'sweet spots' you can lounge in to enjoy this 3D babe. This swanky TV is driven by Toshiba's video engine, or the (rather mouthful) Regza Engine Cevo Duo S. Now, here's the catch. Something needs to be done before you embark on the glasses-free experience though. The TV has to lock your face's position via its face-tracking application. Thankfully, it doesn't require a complicated setup. Just hit the button on the remote and the TV's built-in camera (located just below the panel) would do the rest. We also understand from Toshiba that this procedure isn't critical, although it's highly recommended that users complete this to "optimize the viewing zone", if we may quote Toshiba. Generally, the glasses-free experience was more of a miss rather than hit for us. There were frequent instances of crosstalk no matter how we realigned our viewing positions. And although the TV was equipped with markers to help us locate an ideal spot, the ghostly images persisted despite numerous tries on our part. Toshiba admitted that the TV might have been mounted a tad too high after we consulted them. On the bright side, there were moments when the 3D depth was ample.
Thanks to Toshiba's Regza Engine Cevo Duo S video engine and an army of tiny lenticular lens, glasses-free stereoscopic viewing is now a reality with the new 55-inch RZ1. However, we feel that Toshiba still has a distance to go before they can perfect their glasses-free 3D technology.
See those little green circles near the top of the panel? These are markers to help you seek out that sweet 3D viewing spot. There are also arrows (not visible in the picture) displayed next to these circles which point you in the direction you should sit or how you should align your head.
As mentioned earlier, this model boasts of a Quad Full-HD resolution. That's 3,840 by 2,160 pixels, or four times the typical Full-HD resolution if you will. Although a larger resolution is always a bonus, we have to keep in mind the current standards used by industry players too. For instance, most terrestrial broadcasts are still being transmitted at 576i, while digital HD channels go up to 1080i at best. Toshiba was also kind enough to demonstrate how the TV's scaler (Resolution+) fleshed out 1080p sources on its 4K screen. Images were crisper and slightly more defined with Resolution+ enabled. However, we observed that the HD noise levels were similarly amplified as well. Although we didn't get to see how the RZ1 managed SD content, one can only imagine the quality of a 480p clip on the 2160p panel. We'll have to test the TV for ourselves so as to determine how capable their video scalers truly are. Of course, the RZ1 was a force to be reckoned with when native 4K content is displayed. Toshiba was unable to confirm its price as yet, but you can expect the RZ1 to hit shelves sometime in early June. We're anticipating a huge four-figure sum at the very least.
A Toshiba spokesman was demonstrating the visual differences between an upconverted HD image with and without Resolution+ on the Quad Full-HD display. The good news is there were minimal signs of smearing or excessive aliasing artifacts with Resolution+ enabled. The bad news is noise levels were amplified along with the picture quality as well.
Power To The Panels
When it comes to televisions, smaller is probably better for Toshiba. Apart from their current 55-inch ZL800, the majority of Toshiba's HDTVs are packaged in 46-inch profiles or smaller. And the same can be said about their new Power TV series, which include a 23, 32, and 40 inch models featuring LED backlights and a narrow bezel design. More precisely, the 23-inch panel will carry edge-lit LEDs, while the larger 32 and 40 inch models will boast of a full-array configuration. Unlike the flamboyant RZ1, the new Power TV PB200 series packs a more conventional Full-HD resolution (23-inch and 40-inch models) as well as Toshiba's Regza video processing engine. Strangely, the 32-inch set is limited to a HD-ready screen estate.
The new Power TV series consists of three models (excluding the two ladies). What's odd, however, is that only the 23 and 40 inch displays are Full-HD sets. The 32-inch variant will sport a 1366 by 768 resolution instead.
Then again, everything else is rather unexciting with the new Power TVs. The PB200 models are equipped with two HDMI ports, two composite inlets, a single component jack, and a USB slot. There are no Smart TV components if you're wondering, so don't expect to find any Ethernet ports on these offerings. Some of the newer features on the Power TV series include Contrast Booster, designed to automatically tweak luminance adjustments so as to improve color gradations. Equipped with a 'soundbar' stacked below the panel (much like the ZL800), Toshiba has augmented their speakers with a Bass Booster as well - one which "generates extra sound waves at different frequencies in the bass band" to improve the TV's bass quality, as stated in Toshiba's press release.
The 32-inch PB200 possesses a weird combination if you were to ask us. As mentioned, it has a paltry HD-ready screen estate although it is powered by direct LED backlights.
The 23-inch PB200 is already available in stores, but you'll have to wait it out for another month or so for the bigger sets to arrive.
The 23-inch model (23PB200E) is already available in stores and at Toshiba's authorized resellers. On the other hand, you'll have to wait till late May or early June for the bigger 32-inch and 40-inch models to arrive on our shores. Price wise, the compact 23PB200E is priced at a very affordable $399. In our opinion, this 23 incher can also double up as a desktop monitor if you like. The 32PB200E and 40PB200E will cost you $599 and $899 respectively.
Say Hi To The New Qosmio and Satellite Notebooks
Toshiba Qosmio X870 - A New and (Much) Prettier Pet Monster
Toshiba's new gaming machine, the X870 is quite different from last year's X770 both internally and externally.
The new Toshiba Qosmio X870 3D-capable gaming notebook is the company's refresh of last year's Qosmio X770 model. When it was first launched, the X770 was equipped with an NVIDIA GT560M graphics module, which was one of the best GPUs around (the higher end 580M only appeared on Alienware notebooks) on portable gaming platforms. This year, Toshiba is once again one of the first PC manufacturers inject Intel's 3rd-generation Ivy Bridge processor and NVIDIA's new top-tier Kepler GPU together into a gaming machine.
The red aluminum accents along the sides of the machine gives it some character and style.
Toshiba seemed to have spent quite a bit of effort in redesigning the Qosmio X-series. The 17.3-inch Full-HD X870 (also 3D-capable) looks less 'organic' than the X770 with a lack of ostentatious red accents within the laptop. Instead, the red highlights (aluminium) are found on the sides of the X870. The lid is also covered with a brushed metallic look, which makes it appear classier than the average gaming notebook. After handling the 3.42kg X870, we also found the build quality to be slightly superior to its X770 predecessor.
The red border along the gigantic trackpad doesn't light up or does anything fancy, but it does add to the overall aesthetics. The LED light at the top left corner lights up when the trackpad is disabled.
Another change that can be found on the X870 is that it sports a much larger clickable trackpad than the one on the X770. The X870 also sports a swanky red aluminium border around the clickpad that adds to the X870's impressive aesthetics. Such an addition won't actually enhance your gaming experience, but it would make the X870 much more user-friendly when its performing as a regular personal computer. Thankfully, Toshiba didn't remove the backlit chicklet keyboard and its reddish glow which we liked on the X770.
The best thing about getting a gaming machine is that it often comes fully equipped, including the necessary ports for multimedia use.
When it comes to ports, the X770 didn't let us down in any way, and neither will the new X870 which comes with generous connectivity offerings of its own. It even has four USB 3.0 ports, thanks to the new chipset that accompanies the latest Ivy Bridge processors.
Toshiba's partnership with Harman Kardon is still evident in the new X870.
The Toshiba Qosmio X870 will retail in June for S$3,699
Toshiba Satellite P850 - 3D Multimedia Without the Glasses
Toshiba's Satellite P850 has two models -- one with glasses-free 3D technology and a 2D variant.
The Toshiba Satellite P850 (15.6-inch) is also a refresh of last year's Toshiba Satellite P750, and like the Qosmio X870, it is more than just a component update. One of the more interesting upgrades that the P850 received is its glasses-less 3D feature, first seen in last year's Toshiba Qosmio F750 gaming machine. Similar to the F750, the Satellite P850 also arrives in two models -- one with glasses-less 3D capabilities, and one without.
The differences between the two models are subtle. But the most glaring one is the disparity in screen resolution. The non-3D (2.5kg) model has a very low 1366 by 768 pixel resolution, and runs the new NVIDIA GT630M, while the glasses-free 3D (2.8kg) model has a Full-HD resolution of 1980 by 1080 pixels and runs a higher end GT640M. The glasses-less 3D model also has a special facial tracking webcam that is integral to how the glasses-free 3D technology works. And if it so happens that you bought a Toshiba 3D-capable television, you can also make use of the 2D to 3D conversion feature found on both models.
On top of receiving 3D capabilities, the P850 also looks distinctly different from last year's Satellite P750. This time round, it doesn't have the organic texture that the P750 had. And just like the more premium X870, it also sports a clickable trackpad (clickpad) that enhances your tracking experience. The chiclet keyboard that it has is more or less the same as the one found on last year's P750 model.
The Satellite P850 looks quite different from last year's P750, and to most mobile warriors, it may be for the better.
Another significant physical change with the P850 is that it comes with four USB ports. And thanks to the new Intel chipsets found in 3rd-generation processors, the P850 also boasts of USB 3.0 standards. It also has a full-sized HDMI slot, and a VGA port should you feel the need to plug in external monitors.
The Satellite P850 will retail in June for S$2599 (3D), and S$1599 (non-3D).
Toshiba Satellite 800 Series - Affordable, Now in Multi-Color
The M800 series notebooks aren't very different from the Toshiba L800 series notebooks, but they do look better and possess a better build quality.
Along with the upper tier notebook models, of course, are the mid and lower tier models that are good for everything else other than gaming. Toshiba also took the chance to reintroduce to us to the Satellite 800 series of notebooks. On the top of this heap, we have the 14-inch (1366 x 768) M840, which comes with either an i3, i5 or the latest i7 processor. For casual gamers, there's also the AMD Radeon HD 7670M - a mid-range but adequate GPU. The M840 also comes in a metallic (fingerprint magnet?) finish in gold, pink or blue, and weighs only 1.99kg thanks to its ultra-slim DVD drive.
Next, we have the L800 series, which have models very similar to the M830 in terms of components (processor and GPU), but comes in three different sizes. There's a 13.3-inch (1.89kg), a 14-inch (2.12kg) and a 15.6-inch (2.41kg) model, but unfortunately, they all share a similar 1366 by 768 pixel resolution. However, do bear in mind that these notebooks are meant to be quite affordable, hence the low quality screens. For some users who prefer AMD processors, well there is that option as well.
Getting an affordable notebook doesn't mean settling for an ugly and colorless notebook, says Toshiba with its L800 and C800 series notebooks.
Lastly, Toshiba also took the chance to familiarize us with the C800 series, which happens to be the most affordable series of the lot. Because they're supposed to cater to those on a tighter budget, there are options for 2nd-generation Intel Core i3, Pentium Dual and Celeron, or AMD processors too. On top of that, the C800 series also comes with a entry-level AMD Radeon HD 7610M GPU. There are two screen sizes to choose from, including a 14-inch and a 15.6-inch variation. Not surprisingly, these two models also sport the 1366 by 768 pixel resolution.
Most of the Satellite 800 series notebooks are already on sale, except for a lone model running a next-generation Intel processor which will reach us sometime in June. Retail prices for the M800 series will start from S$1199, the L800 series from S$1099, and the C800 series from S$869.
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