Posted Wed Mar 2, 2016 at 03:15 PM PST by Steven Cohen
Reports indicate that the manufacturer will no longer support 3D in its new display lineup.
According to a report from CNET, none of Samsung's upcoming 2016 TVs for the US market will support 3D. Though some carryover models from 2015 will still include 3D capabilities, the manufacturer will not have any new models with 3D support this year.
CNET cites an anonymous source from within Samsung for the confirmation. According to the source, 3D support has been abandoned in order for the company to focus more on smart TV features and SmartThings home automation integration. While still a desirable feature for displays among many home theater enthusiasts, 3D tech for TVs and Blu-ray players has seen its market share decrease in the US every year since 2012. Likewise, the recently launched Ultra HD Blu-ray disc platform does not even include 3D support in its spec. In addition to Samsung, other brands like VIZIO have already removed 3D capabilities from their lineup, and more companies are cutting back on support.
Thankfully for 3D fans, LG remains committed to supporting 3D as a step-up feature in its higher-end models. About one third of the company's 2016 lineup will feature 3D, including the LG 65UH8500 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($2,998), LG OLED65E6P 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Flat Smart OLED TV ($7,000), and LG OLED65G6P 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Flat Smart OLED TV ($8,000). Likewise, Sony is also releasing new 2016 TVs with 3D support, but only on their premium XBR-55X930D ($3,300), XBR-65X930D ($4,998), and XBR-75X940D models.
Samsung's lack of 3D support for its 2016 TVs doesn't quite usher in the end of the technology, but it does mark a major blow for 3D's future in the home theater. The company's 2D-only 2016 lineup of Ultra HD TVs will feature 10-bit Quantum dot displays, HDR support, the Tizen Smart TV platform, and HDMI 2.0a for full compatibility with the recently released UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player.
Source: CNET
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