Samsung Unveils 3D TVs, Apps

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 1/7/2010

CES 2010 LAS VEGAS - Samsung Electronics revealed at its International CES press conference Wednesday that it will use animated films from DreamWorks Animation to promote its new generation of TVs and Blu-ray players with 3D capability.

During the event, Samsung Electronics America president Tim Baxter introduced DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg and Frederic Rose, Technicolor chairman and CEO, to announce a partnership with Technicolor and DreamWorks Animation. DreamWorks' "Monsters vs. Aliens" will be the first Blu-ray Disc to use the new 3D standard from the Blu-ray Disc Association, DreamWorks' Katzenberg said.

Samsung will run a promotion offering buyers of Samsung's 3D-compatible products a free copy of the movie.

Trailers of upcoming 3D films, including "Shrek Forever After,'' will be also available exclusively for Samsung customers, the companies said.

Meanwhile, Baxter said a third of Samsung's new LED-based LCD TVs will be 3D compatible.

Samsung also announced its first 3D-capable Blu-ray Disc players, home-theater systems and plasma TVs.

In other news, the company announced the launch of Samsung Apps, a multi-device application store with content partners including Blockbuster, USA Today and others. Samsung plans to make apps available for a range of devices from mobile phones to HDTVs.

Samsung said its apps system will be open to developers to create their own applications for TVs and mobile devices.

"We're forging the future of home entertainment," said Baxter. "If you thought it was fun to build an application for a 3-inch phone screen, I've got a 55-inch screen to show you."

Among the company's 3D TV sets on display here is the ultra-thin 9000 LED LCD TV model series, which features what the company said is the first onboard TV display touch-screen remote control.

The LCD TV series features 1080p/240Hz models with 55-inch and 46-inch screen sizes and uses edge-lit LED backlighting to reduce depth. The company also placed all of the set's circuit boards, including the tuner, into a detachable integrated pedestal stand that doubles as a wall-mount bracket.

An auto-conversion system will present both native 3D images and 2D images rendered in 3D.

To support Samsung's Internet@TV widget-based system, the models feature Ethernet ports and wireless-ready capabilities to access content from such partners as Blockbuster, YouTube and others.

The 8000 series uses edge-lit LEDs in the 46-, 55-, 60- and 65-inch screen sizes, all with 1080p resolution and 240Hz frame-rate capability.

Cosmetics include a metallic design with 3D display support.