If you have been thinking about investing in one of the Panasonic 3D camcorders now available, and 3D aware editing software such as Sonys' Vegas, then that time may be opportune with Toshiba launching the world's first 3D television that doesn't require special glasses, called the Regza GL 1.

Sure, it's only a 12" but they are said to be launching a 20" by the end of the week, and with the way that technology accelerates, maybe by mid year we'll have an affordable 42" (The 12" is around A$1400). Toshiba's screens use processing technology to create depth-filled images and the Regza GL1 Series allow users to switch between 2D and 3D on normal TV programs.

Sharp had previpusly shown a small 3D screen that didn't need glasses, but that was designed for mobile phones; this one is the real deal!

"Customers currently think of 3D images as just an add-on function ... but 3D is expected to become a standard eventually" with 3D films and video titles increasing, said Toshiba sales official Eiichi Matsuzawa.

We'll keep you posted.

By David Hague

David is the owner and publisher of AusCam Online. He has a background in media dating back to 1979 when he first got involved with photojournalism in motorsport, and went from there into technology via a 5 year stint with Tandy Computers. Following that, he ran a software distribution company on the Gold Coast and was one of the first to recognise the potential of Microsoft Windows.

Moving back to WA, David wrote scripts for Computer Television for video training for the just released Windows and Office 95 among others, and was then lured to Sydney to create web sites for the newly commercial Internet in 1995, building hundreds of sites under contract to OzEmail including Coates Hire, Hertz Queensland, John Williamson, the NSW Board of Studies and many, many more.

He went back into full time journalism as the Managing Editor for Channel 7's 'Gadget Guy', Peter Blasina's publications VideoCamera and Pixelmag, before starting Australasian Camcorder magazine when these publications were shelved. He lives at Sydney's Avalon Beaches nearly on the ocean front with dog Budweiser and in his spare time is a nut for motor sport, road safety, fishing, science fiction - especially Dr Who - and technology.

David can be contacted via david@auscamonline.com