CES 2008

The center route guidance display has a 3D effect.

(Credit: Visteon)

The Visteon/3M demonstration vehicle, a BMW X5 fitted with numerous modifications for instrumentation, interior materials, switch gear, and lighting, was unveiled in the Visteon tent at 2008 CES. One of the more interesting features of this car is its virtual instrument cluster, using LCD displays for the speedo and tach, and a 3D center display showing route guidance. 3M provided materials to create a 3D effect, which makes graphical arrows indicating upcoming turns seem to float over the map background. The 3D effect only shows up when you are looking straight on at the display, such as in the driver position, while the passenger sees a standard flat representation. The LCD speed and tach gauges allow for easy reconfiguration in different car models.

Visteon's center stack uses touch technology.

(Credit: Visteon)

Another fascinating aspect of the demonstration vehicle is its floating console with touch controls. Visteon worked with Volvo on the floating console seen in its latest cars, so it was interesting to see that design in a BMW. The stack itself only has one physical knob, with many touch controls set around it. The stack surface uses haptic technology, giving a little physical feedback when you touch one of the controls. Visteon points out that the control surface is easily manufactured as it is literally printed on the material. It also offers a very clean design. This demonstration vehicle also had charging surfaces in the glovebox, letting you set down your phone or MP3 player and have it recharge wirelessly. The center console incorporates an iPod dock and a USB port, while 3M designed ambient lighting for the interior. 3M also showed off interior materials that do an amazing job mimicking wood or metal.

After a full day roaming the Consumer Electronics Show floor, I have to say the most mind-blowing thing I saw was the dual-view and 3D high-definition technology called DLP, made by Texas Instruments. This technology is being rolled out in Mitsubishi and Samsung televisions.

These are not flat-screen models, but thicker projection TVs. I was initially stopped in my tracks by the amazing image on a 73-inch model. They showed Shrek on the demo reel, and I have to say, the detail in the animation was incredible. I could see the sugar crystals sparkling on the Gingerbread Man's gumdrops. (They also showed Transformers, and it was very manly and explosive. Looked good too. DLP has a very fast refresh rate, so it is well-suited for action.)

Samsung's 3D ready PNA450P plasma

(Credit: Samsung)

In the race to find that tiny inkling of a feature to differentiate one product from another, the lure of an easily recognizable term, like, oh, say, "3D," can overwhelm such petty concerns as actual real-world usefulness. Samsung introduced its first 3D-ready HDTVs last year in the form of a few DLP-based rear-projection models, like the HL-T5687S, but the company's 2008 PNA450P series are the first flat-screens to get 3D readiness. The series includes two models, the 42-inch PN42A450P and the 50-inch PN50A450P.

To get the extra dimension out of these models you'll need to purchase a 3D accessory kit that consists of, you guessed it, a pair of special glasses. If the kit needed for the DLP televisions is any indication, the plasma kit will cost $150 and consist of software that runs on a PC connected to the display. That's right; the only way to get the 3D effect on the DLP sets is to connect a PC that plays back the movie or game or whatever content you'd like to make 3D. Special drivers are available at $5 a pop for the few games supported, and no native 3D content is available as far as we know. That's where the questionable real-world usefulness comes into play.

The PNA450P plasmas include a few other notable features, such as new processing said to cut down on false contouring, reduce power consumption by 10 percent, and a new antiglare screen.

Samsung's 3D plasmas are scheduled to arrive in March; pricing was not announced at the show.

Samsung PNA450P key features (direct from the press release)

• 3D ready (with accessory kit)
• ACE2 algorithm reduced false contours
• Ultra FilterBright antiglare filter
• 18-bit processing
• Three HDMI 1.3 inputs
• "Hidden" bottom speakers