According to a recent LG poll, over 80% of people prefer LG's passive 3D TVs to active shutter technology from Samsung or Sony.
LG revealed these slightly dubious findings at a media event today, where it also talked up its new 'optically correct' Oakley 3D glasses, fresh IP TV content, new 3D TV models and a $300 cashback promotion.
The LG Cinema 3D Challenge poll was conducted via a 3D TV 'blind test' in Westfield shopping centres around Australia, in a campaign heavily inspired by the long-running Pepsi Challenge. Consumers were invited to view two 3D TVs with all branding removed, and asked which panel offered the best "viewing experience".
Shoppers line up to take part in the LG Cinema 3D Challenge.
If LG is to be believed, over 4,000 Australians took part in the test, with four-out-of-five respondents (approximately 82%) preferring the LG model.
See also: Which HD TV? Sony vs Panasonic vs Samsung vs LG
“The purpose of the Cinema 3D Challenge was to allow consumers to experience both formats [passive and active] first hand and let us know which one they preferred," said Tim Barnes, Home Entertainment Service Marketing Manager, LG Electronics Australia. "What the Cinema 3D Challenge has told us is that consumers prefer LG’s Cinema 3D TVs over other leading LED 3D TV brands.”
According to LG, the 3D TVs in each test were set up "the same way they came out of the box" with no additional calibration taking place. The Samsung and Sony TVs fell inside the same price bracket as the LG model to ensure fairness.
It would be easy to dismiss this poll as biased nonsense (after all, LG itself ran the tests), but it's worth noting that images on passive 3D screens usually looks brighter than active shutter TVs due to the lenses they use. While this doesn't necessarily make the image "better", it can make it look more appealing in a side-by-side test, especially to the untrained eye. Interestingly, the Pepsi Challenge won over consumers in a similar vein: the drink's extra hit of sugar tasted superior in small doses.
In any event, you will be able to conduct your own 3D Challenge by walking into an electronics store that sells 3D TVs. Have a look the next time you're in JB HiFi and tell us if you think LG's claims are accurate.
New TVs and glasses
Two new 3D TVs were also unveiled at the event today: the LW5700 LED (which comes in 42in, 47in and 55in iterations) and the 50in PZ650 plasma. Both models provide HD 2D-to-3D conversion and IPTV functionality. For pricing and a full list of specifications, see the LG LW5700 and LG PZ650 product pages.
LG LW5700 LED 3D TV
LG also revealed a new pair of passive 3D glasses designed by sunglass manufacturer Oakley. Intriguingly, the new glasses sport 'optically correct' wrap-around lenses, which stops your peripheral vision getting in the way from the 3D goodness.
Peripheral vision can intrude on the 3D experience for some people (this writer included), although you'll have to pay $159.95 for the wrap-around glasses, compared to LG's regular 3D glasses which cost $20.
LG IP TV more Australian?
In addition to spruiking its 3D technology, LG also talked up its IPTV content at the event, with a firm emphasis on Australian content.
"Some of our competitors have focused on the number of apps [they have], but we think localisation is where the real importance lies," LG Australia's Home Entertainment Senior Marketing Manager Tim Barnes said at the event.
The vendor showed off two new services for its IPTV range: a PGA Golf app and Red Bull TV, a free channel that offers access to Red Bull sports programs such as The Atherton Project, On The Loose, The Mountainbike Chronicles and Red Bull X-Fighters.
Red Bull TV will be available on the LG Smart TV platform by the end of the month.
“With the launch of the Red Bull TV, LG Australia now outnumbers leading TV competitors by 67 per cent in local content and apps available to our Australian customers,” said Barnes.
LG also announced a limited cash-back promotion for its 3D Cinema Smart TV range. Consumers will reveive up to $300 cash back when they buy a selected LG Cinema 3D TV and additional LG audio/visual product (such as a Blu-ray player) in one purchase.
For more information on LG's 2011 3D TV range, check out our coverage in the article below.
Further Reading:
Hands on with LG's next-gen 3D TVs: movie downloads, better 3D and Wii-style remotes
