Samsung says glasses-free 3D unlikely in next 10 years

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The Korean company says manufacturing costs and technical issues will make glasses-free 3D TV "difficult"

Samsung active 3D TV

Samsung has poured cold water on rivals' promises to deliver 3D TV without the need for glasses, by stating it thinks it unlikely it will produce such a set in the next 10 years.

Toshiba has been bullish about its glasses-free 3D TV plans, promising a set within this financial year, but Samsung sees too many obstacles to back the technology.

In a statement given to US website SlashGear, the company said making such a set with enough viewing angles to be practical – 32, in Samsung's opinion – would take some five years of R&D.

The company also said current manufacturing costs would have to come down and TV broadcasters would have to upgrade.

The company concluded that "attempts to put glasses-free 3D TV to market within the next 10 years will be difficult".

Samsung itself has backed active 3D TV technology and recently announced its 2011 range – and you can read our first review in the April issue on sale now.

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Joe Cox
Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).