Samsung’s top-end ES8000 Smart TV has been announced for the South Korean market. Announced at CES last month, ES8000 is a 3D LED TV that comes with Samsung’s Secret Design, enabling an ultra-slim bezel and a metallic U-shaped stand.

On the hardware front, the TV is powered by a dual-core processor and supports Evolution Kit that will allow users to upgrade their TV with new features by plugging the hardware into the back of the TV. Additionally, it supports full HD 3D Video-on-demand service, apps, Allshare Play, Signature services, Skype, integrated camera, Smart Interaction with voice and gesture command support.

Samsung will also bundle the recently announced Smart Touch Remote Control with the ES8000.

Samsung’s D6500 LED TVs are apparently not capable of outputting content in full HD resolution while watching 3D. Forums such as SamyGo and Hi-Fi are buzzing with reports from D65xx owners that the content that can be displayed in full HD in 2D but the same content cannot be viewed at the same resolution when converted to 3D.

The problem is persistent right from the smallest TV in the series to the largest one but users with D7x00 or D8x00 sets seem to be unaffected.

To verify, users with D65xx television sets can download this ZIP file and run it on the TV through USB in 2D and 3D modes.

We’re not sure if its a defect that can be solved with a software update but if not then Samsung could land in a soup as they market these TVs as “Full HD 3D.”

Via, Thanks Marcus!

Samsung has joined hands with Panasonic, Sony and XPAND 3D to develop a new technology standard for consumer 3D active glasses. Under the Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative, companies will work on the development and licensing of RF-based 3D active glasses technology which includes RF system protocols between 3D active glasses and 3D devices. The initiative will also support for Infrared protocols.

Companies will license in September 2011 to begin the standardization process whereas the first compatible glasses will arrive in 2012. It will be backward compatible with 2011 range of 3D active TVs.

Today’s announced collaboration underscores Samsung’s promise to meet consumer needs among the ever-changing advancements of home entertainment and consumer electronics technology.To-date, active 3D technology has proven to be the most popular choice for consumers in the 3D TV market. According to the NPD Group, Active 3D technology took an average of 96 percent share of the U.S. 3D TV market in the first half of this year; and this Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative will help further drive consumer adoption and understanding of active 3D—the technology that provides the clearest and most immersive 3D experience available.

Couple of things you can expect from this initiative is the price going down of the 3D glasses as well as compatibility of the glasses with different manufacturers.

Samsung’s 3D video-on-demand service is now available for Indian consumers. The VOD service which is already available in South Korea and other regions will allow consumers to watch three-dimensional video content on their 3DTVs without any additional cost. All a user needs to do is download the Explore 3D app from the Samsung TV Apps store and can enjoy content like movie trailers, music videos, children classics, documentaries etc.

Some of the content available on the VOD service include 3D movie trailers of How to train your dragon, Shrek4, Megamind and Kung Fu Panda 2; music videos from popular bands like Girls Generation, Super Junior and BoA; children’s classics such as Pinocchio, The Ugly Duckling, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, Puss in Boots; lifestyle videos such as Mercedes Benz Classic Collection, Takeoff-Macau, The Enchanted Hill: Inside the Hearst Castle; and IMAX documentaries such as Grand Canyon Adventure, Dinosaurs of Patagonia, Dinosaurs Alive, Wild Ocean, Mummies, Ultimate Wave Tahiti, Ultimate Gs, Legends of Flight.

Samsung plans to increase the content to 100 items by end of 2011.

The 3D VOD service will work on the complete 2011 range of Smart 3D TVs.

New figures from market research firm, NPD are out and Samsung is still the undisputed leader of the TV market in North America. Despite facing some stiff competition, Samsung managed to capture a good 58.4 percent market share in the 3D TV market. The dominating market share is attributed to Samsung’s aggressive marketing in the region along with the introduction of new 3D Video-on-demand service and price reduction of 3D glasses.

As for the internet-enabled Smart TVs, Samsung garnered 47.1 percent of market share and 36.2 percent in the overall flat TV market that also includes LCD and Plasma TVs.

We are facing a strong challenge from our competitors but we have managed to keep a grip on the top spot in the North American TV market since January.

Via

Samsung’s 3D video-on-demand service that is available in few regions, is now launched in the United States. The Explore 3D app can be accessed from Samsung’s latest range of TVs and will allow consumers to stream 3D content in high definition. Free as well as paid content will be available on the Explore 3D.

The app uses Rovi Corporation’s cloud-based metadata and RoxioNow platform.

The service works on 2010 and 2011 range of LED and Plasma Smart 3D TVs.

Those consumers who bought a 2011 range of Samsung 3D TV from authorized retailers but haven’t got their pair of 3D glasses as promised, they’ll get it directly from Samsung. If a customer has bought the TV after April 24, 2011 and is yet to receive the glasses, he can apply to the website below to claim their 3D glasses.

Do note that in order to receive the glasses, user has to upload a legible copy of the purchase receipt.

In addition, users can also buy new 3D glasses at reduced prices that starts from $49.99and goes up to 149.99.

Samsung 3D Glasses

Samsung has unveiled the world’s largest Smart TV, D9500 in South Korea. The D9500 LED TV has a display size of 75-inch that not only boasts an aesthetically pleasing design (dubbed as ‘Secret Design’) but is also packed with features. D9500 is equipped with 3D Hyper-real engine that helps to show vivid 3D images and a Black Diamond Panel that makes 3D-viewing possible from any angle.

Additionally, the TV supports the Smart Hub interface which includes functions like Smart Search, Samsung Apps, social networking support, 3D VOD etc.

Samsung yesterday announced a full HD 3D Blu-ray player for South Korean consumers. The BD-D6500 is slim, stylish and packed with features. Winner of 2011 CES Innovation Award for its luxurious design, the Blu-ray player comes in a two-tone color design, touch-sensitive controls and slot-in drive.

As for its technical prowess, the player can show 3D stereoscopic content in full HD resolution, upscale SD content, DLNA (Allshare), integrated Wi-Fi, Smart Hub.

BD-D6500 will sell for 349,000 won.

Samsung’s glasses-free 3D TV could take more than what Samsung initially expected. Samsung confirmed to Slashgear that glasses-free 3D TV technology meant for consumers is not ready yet and is difficult to release it “within the next 10 years.”

Samsung says they can create a glasses-free 3D TVs at R&D level but creating such television for mass consumption is difficult and needs to have at least 32 viewing spots. More viewing spots mean consumers can enjoy glasses-free 3D TV from various angles.