Considering the number of 3D TV manufacturers, most of which require proprietary active-shutter 3D glasses, owners of a PS3 or 3D Blu-ray player may feel hamstrung when it comes to the total cost of their hobby. The one set of universal active 3D glasses we’ve reviewed (from Xpand) didn’t fare particularly well, but a company called NextGen is hoping to change that. And it’s going to do so via the industry’s first rechargeable Active 3D glasses.
On August 1, NextGen will debut a pair of Active 3D Glasses ($79.95 MSRP) that will be rechargeable via a standard USB cable. NextGen’s rechargeable Active 3D glasses will reportedly work with 3D TVs manufactured by LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and Toshiba. Basically, most sets available today.
If you’ve not heard of NextGen before, don’t feel bad. The company is best known for its Remote Extenders, which give an ordinary remote control RF capability. NextGen’s new rechargeable Active 3D glasses are the company’s first foray into the burgeoning 3D TV market.
According to NextGen, its rechargeable Active 3D Glasses will provide 50 hours of operation — or about 25 movies — from a single three-hour charge. The USB cable will be included in the package, as will a lens cleaner and glasses case.
As 3D TV manufacturers increasingly evaluate passive or “theater” 3D, as Vizio is doing, the need for costly active-shutter glasses or universal pairs may decline. Until those sets gain widespread traction, though, alternatives like the rechargeable Active 3D glasses from NextGen are bound to inspire some purchase decisions.
