Best 3D TV 3D TV Test overview

Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Philips, Toshiba, Sharp and LG go head-to-head in our first 3D TV tests. A panel of experienced experts assess ten newly launched 3D TVs. 

3D TVs on test

Samsung's svelte 55-inch C8000 LED 3D TV 

We've put fifteen 3D TVs through our test lab programme, assessing each for the quality of the 3D picture and comfort of 3D glasses. Click on the links below to read the full 3D reviews.

• LG Infinia 55LX9500
• LG 47LD950
• LG 42LX6900
• Panasonic Viera TX-P42GT20
• Panasonic Viera TX-P50VT20
• Philips 46PFL9705
• Samsung UE55C8000
• Samsung UE40C7000
• Samsung UE46C9000
• Samsung LE40C750
• Samsung PS50C6900
• Sharp Aquos LC-60LE925
• Sony Bravia KDL-40HX803
• Sony Bravia KDL-40NX713
• Toshiba Regza 55WL768

To see how all these TVs performed in our regular 2D viewing tests, audio assessments, usability and power efficiency tests check our LCD, LED and plasma TV reviews page. New results are added every month

For more information on all things 3D check out our free essential 3DTV guide. For the very latest on glasses-free 3D TVs read our first look report from CES 2011.

Types of 3D TVs on test

Any 3D TV needs to send a different picture to each eye – the ‘type’ is determined by the way it does this. There are two basic types of 3D TV – active shutter and passive displays. All the models on test, except the LG 47LD950, are active shutter models. 

• Active shutter 

  

  You need 3D glasses to watch 3D TV. And they're not cheap

Most of the big TV brands are championing active shutter 3D TVs. Active shutter glasses synchronise with the TV via an infra-red signal and rapidly blink on and off, playing back full 1080p images to the right eye and left eye at a rate of 50 frames per second.

The glasses need a power source to switch on and off (either a small battery or via a USB charge) and, as a result, are very expensive. Most new 3D TVs come supplied with a pair (or two) of active LCD shutter glasses, but extra pairs cost around £100. The glasses will work with that specific brand of TV only.

Pros: Full 1080p image for each eye
Cons: Expensive, clunky glasses 

• Passive 

Sky's 3D TV service works with polarised 3D specs

 The alternative is a passive shutter display, as seen on LG’s LD920. This has a polarising film over the screen that separates the image into left and right types. The glasses, which are also polarised (like the lightweight type you use in the cinema) filter out the unwanted image and let only the correct image through. 

This technology is more akin to that used in cinemas showing 3D films. It was also used in 3D Sky Sports pubs around the UK during the World Cup to show 3D Premier League football games. In fact, the TVs used in the Sky Sports pubs are LD920 models. The retail version is the similar LD950.

As you'll see only half of the image in each eye, 3D content won't be shown in full HD 1080p resolution with passive technology. 2D content will be in full HD, however, providing it comes from an HD source.

Pros: Cheap, lightweight glasses
Cons: Lower-resolution images

3D TV – How we test

Each TV is watched by a panel of three expert viewers, watching nine 3D clips ranging from sport sequences to Blu-ray movie clips and a natural world documentary. To determine the best 3D TV picture, we assessed each TV on the following criteria:

3D picture

• Overall depth
• Resolution and detail
• Dark detail
• Overall brightness
• Smoothness of movement
• Noise level in picture
• Richness and accuracy of colour
• Ghosting issues

Overall 3D viewing experience

• Comfort and fit of 3D glasses
• Ability to reject external light/flicker
• Effect when tilting your head

What 3D material do we watch?

Sky digital launches a new 3D TV service in 2010

We managed to grab some test material from Sky - including football, rugby and tennis clips for motion and panning sequences, concert footage for dark detail and lighting effects and natural world clips to assess colour vibrancy. Sky launched a 3D TV service in 2010.

However, we were limited to just one 3D Blu-ray disc – a copy of ‘Monsters versus aliens’. 

For more information on all things 3D check out our free essential 3DTV guide.