Glasses-free 3D Television

It's been several months since Toshiba announced that it planned to release television models that did not require glasses in order to see their 3D effect.

Word came this week that the company is planning on bringing its much-hyped 3D technology to CES, and plans on displaying bigger television models.  The units were on display at CEATEC months ago, showcasing the genius design.  The television screens have a sheet of thin lenses that incase the display, which then projects the image out in 3D.  To see the image displayed in 3D, a viewer must be seated in one of nine specific positions near the tv.

The models on display at CEATEC were only 12" and 20" models, with Toshiba planning on displaying up to 40" models at the Consumer Electronics Show in Janurary.  The change to bigger displays was on market research which suggests the company will have an easier sell of the televisions here in the U.S. if they increase the viewing area.

The technology is miles ahead of other 3D models currently on sale at retailers, with Toshiba recognizing that consumers would rather not have to wear silly glasses in order to get the most out of their televisions.  It remains to be seen, however, if forcing the viewer to sit in specific locations is a superior design to glasses.  

The video below is from CEATEC, highlighting the smaller model televisions.