Cheap sorta-universal active 3D glasses
Give Samsung credit for both including 3D glasses with all of its 2012 TVs -- something no other TV maker does -- and for driving down the price of additional pairs. The SSG-4100GB specs weren't our favorites (see next slide), but they get the job done for less than $20.
The downside? They only work with 2011 and 2012 Samsung TVs, or 2012 Panasonic TVs. No other TV brand has yet released models that comply with the universal active 3D glasses standard.
The good: The Samsung SSG-4100GB glasses are inexpensive for active glasses and compatible with other brands of TVs thanks to the Full HD 3D standard. Pairing them with your TV is fairly straightforward, they don't require line-of-sight, and the battery lasts a long time.
The bad: The glasses are fairly flimsy, the arms are quite short, and the fit is uncomfortable, especially if you wear glasses. An open design lets in more ambient light and can hinder immersion. They're not rechargeable and require a coin battery.
The bottom line: The Samsung SSG-4100GB universal glasses are cheap and fine for casual use, but an uncomfortable fit and too-open design means 3D enthusiasts will want other primary glasses.
October 31, 2012 10:28 PM PDT
Photo by: Sarah Tew/CNET
