Toshiba has announced a 55-inch glasses-free 3D TV, called the ZL2, at IFA in Berlin; it should allow users to watch 3D television without faffing with a pair of accompanying glasses.

The new model, which Toshiba has confirmed will go on sale in the UK, uses face tracking technology to maximise the 3D viewing experience in your lounge. 

The ZL2 boasts a range of technologies designed to provide a decent 2D and 3D viewing experience, including face tracking, Resolution+, Auto Calibration, 2D to 3D conversion, and Smart TV features including Toshiba Places.

The ZL2 is the world’s first TV targeted at consumers to include a Quad Full HD display, offering a mega 3840 x 2160 resolution compared to the standard Full HD which is 1920 x 1080.

The glasses-free 3D technology is based on the stereoscopic principle of simultaneously delivering a picture to the left eye, and another one with a small offset (parallax) to the right eye, in order to achieve the 3D effect. To deliver a glasses-free 3D image a range of lenticular lenslets guide the dedicated images to each viewer in the room.

Toshiba says the ZL2 is able to provide 3D images for up to nine different viewing positions. The TV tailors the 3D to the viewers’ actual positions in the room using face tracking technology. At the touch of a button, it is able to detect where each person is sitting, and adjust the viewing zones accordingly which it does by moving the lenslets. 

No word on pricing or availability as yet although rumours circulating the show floor are hinting at a cost in the region of 8000 euros.

- Toshiba 55ZL2 eyes-on