Passive 3D TVs and active  3D TVs use different technology to generate 3D images.  Active 3D TVs use  active glasses to have shutters rapidly open and close  left and right eyes alternately to achieve the 3D effects. The passive  3D TVs utilized a polarized film to separate the left- and right-eye images.  The passive 3D TV uses polarized glasses, the same as used in 3D movie theater, which are much cheaper and lighter than active shutter glasses.  Therefore, passive 3D TVs are particularly suitable for large groups of viewers to watch 3D sports or movies.

The major passive 3D TVs will be launched in 2011 include:

Vizio XVT3D6SP series 480Hz passive 3D LED TV:

The Vizio XVT6SP series  passive 3D TV features  Full-array LED backlight with local dimming technology, 480Hz refresh rate, VIA plus Internet Apps with Google TV, Built-in WiFi, and a touch pad QWERTY remote control.

VIA Plus with Google TV  allows users to access their favorite apps as well as search and browse the web using a premium Bluetooth QWERTY universal remote with touchpad and built-in dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi.

Vizio XVT3D6 series models includes two models:

• Vizio XVT3D476SP: 47-inch
• Vizio XVT3D556SP: 55-inch

The Vizio XVT3D6SP series was selected as Cnet’s Best of CES award.

LG LW6500 series 240Hz passive 3D LED TV

The LG LW6500 series is LG’s  Cinema 3D TV featuring a Film-type Patterned Retarder (FPR) panel, 3D Light Boast, 2D to 3D conversion, LED plus with local dimming, 240Hz refresh rate, Smart TV with Netcast and web browser, DLNA, WiFi and DVR ready.  The LW6500 series has a magic wand remote and came with WiFi USB dongle and 4 pairs of 3D glasses.

The LW6500 series 3D TV utilized LG’s proprietary Film-type Patterned Retarder (FPR) panel, which optimizes the separation of images for the left and right eyes.The LW6500 series is the first 3D TV which received a “Flicker Free certification” from Intertek and TÜV.

The LW6500 series have four models:

• 42-inch 42LW6500
• 47-inch 47LW6500
• 55-inch 55LW6500
• 65-inch 65LW6500

Toshiba TL515 series  240Hz passive 3D LED TV

The Toshiba TL515 series  3D TV features passive 3D technology, 2D to 3D conversion, Net TV, 240Hz refresh rate for a more smooth motion, in  a chrome-colored metallic black bezel design with a depth of 1.5 inch.

The TL515 series includes five different sized models:

• 65-inch 65TL515
• 55-inch 55TL515
• 46-inch 46TL515
• 40-inch 40TL515
• 32-inch 32TL515