Avatar , James Cameron’s epic sci-fi movie about the battle between the Na’vi of Panadora against oppression by a Earth based military organization is now available in a Full HD 3D Blu-ray disc as a limited release to purchasers of a Panasonic 3D TVs.

This Fox release sets a new industry benchmark in 3D image quality.

After spending over 90 minutes viewing  this 162 min original theatrical version looking for any  image defects such as 3D crosstalk (also known as ghosting seen as a double image caused by left eye image being visible by the right eye or vice versa) we threw in the towel. We could not spot an artifact issues. The Avatar 3D Blu-ray is the finest example of the 3D at home picture quality we have ever evaluated (and we have a good collection of 3D Blu-ray movies and sampler discs on hand). Unlike a number of reported 3D theater experiences, Avatar on the Panasonic 3D TV always looked incredible, bright, with excellent contrast and  amazing color and sharpness. This is the way to watch Avatar and if you have only seen it in theater, you have not experienced how good this movie looks in 3D.

Panasonic sent us a review sample copy of the movie. It’s currently only available as part of Panasonic’s Ultimate 3D Starter Kit for $379.95 with 2 pairs of free rechargeable 3d glasses or free with the purchase of a Panasonic 3D TV as of Dec. 1, 2010. Earlier Panasonic 3D TV buyers can obtain a free copy by mail here.

During the next two weeks, Panasonic is sponsoring 3D mall tours with demonstrations of Avatar and other 3D content. We paid a visit to our local mall  and confirmed the demo is the same experience we witnessed on our own set-up which consists of the Panasonic TC-P50VT25 using the Panasonic BDT350 Blu-ray player.

Please note, this promotional edition  in Full HD  resolution (1920 x 1080) 3D is the most stripped down Blu-ray disc we have seen in years. Beside lacking the extra footage found  in the recently released 2D “Extended Edition”, Avatar 3D has no special features, director commentary, BD live functions or extra material. The only options are a few foreign languages and audio choices with the best being lossless DTS-MA. The aspect ratio fills the screen in 1.78:1.

If you would like to experience clips of  Avatar in Full HD 3D, below is the press release with the list and dates of the Panasonic 3D tour locations.

PANASONIC RINGS IN THE FIRST 3D HOLIDAY SEASON WITH UNWRAP 3D MALL TOUR

Tour Will Showcase Panasonic’s Award-Winning Line of Full HD 3D Products for the Home and Preview the Latest 3D Content from Movies, TV, and Gaming

SECAUCUS, NJ (November 29, 2010) – Panasonic, a worldwide leader in Full HD 3D technology, announced today the Panasonic Unwrap 3D Tour – a two-week, 14-city mall tour designed to give consumers a chance to experience the immersive world of Full HD 3D Home Entertainment – will kick off in major malls across the nation on December 1.

The first leg of the Panasonic Unwrap 3D Tour kicks off December 1-5 (Wednesday thru Sunday) with interactive mall displays simultaneously in seven malls in seven major metro areas — New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The second leg of the tour runs from December 8-12 with simultaneous displays in seven additional malls located in major metro areas — Boston, Washington DC, Miami, Minneapolis, Houston, Phoenix, and Seattle. (See specific locations and dates below).

The Unwrap 3D Tour will give visitors to the exhibits an opportunity to experience for themselves Panasonic’s award-winning line of Full HD 3D VIERA® VT25 and GT25 Series Plasma TVs, 3D Blu-ray Disc TM players, rechargeable 3D Active Shutter Eyewear, and 3D digital imaging products including Panasonic’s first consumer 3D camcorder and the world’s first digital camera with an interchangeable 3D lens – the LUMIX GH2 . The display will also feature an amazing array of 3D content including a look at scenes from the world’s most successful 3D movie, exciting 3D programming from DIRECTV’s suite of linear 3D TV channels, including the n3DTM Powered by Panasonic channel, and PC-based 3D video gaming from nVIDIA; all of which will be displayed in crisp, clear Full HD 3D on Panasonic VIERA® Full HD 3D Plasma TVs.

Visitors to the Panasonic Unwrap 3D Tour will also have an opportunity to get hands on with Panasonic 3D products and see themselves in 3D using the Panasonic SDT750 consumer 3D camcorder and the LUMIX GH2 digital camera with an interchangeable 3D lens.

“Panasonic is a recognized leader in the development of end-to-end Full HD 3D technology,” said Shiro Kitajima, president of Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “We created the Unwrap 3D Tour to educate consumers about all of the amazing 3D products they can bring into their home and how stunning the experience will be for them when they do. With Full HD 3D seeing is believing. We are confident that when consumers visit our Unwrap 3D displays in malls across the country and experience the amazing 3D content and products, they will want to join the 3D era too.”

Visitors at the Unwrap 3D exhibits will be able to enter to win3 the ultimate Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Entertainment system including a Panasonic VIERA Full HD 3D Plasma TV, 3D Blu-ray Disc 3D Home Theater In-A-Box, 3D Active Shutter Eyewear, 3D camcorder, and LUMIX GH2 camera with interchangeable 3D lens.

For more information on Panasonic’s Full HD 3D technology, visit www.panasonic.com/3D.
Panasonic Unwrap 3D Mall Tour Schedule:

Week 1: December 1-5
New York Roosevelt Field — Garden City, NY
Philadelphia King of Prussia Mall – King of Prussia, PA
Atlanta Perimeter Mall – Atlanta, GA
Chicago The Shops at North Bridge – Chicago, IL
Dallas Stonebriar Centre – Frisco, TX
Los Angeles Topanga – Canoga Park, CA
San Francisco San Francisco Centre – San Francisco, CA

Week 2: December 8-12
Boston South Shore Plaza – Braintree, MA
Washington, DC Tysons Corner Center – McLean, VA
Miami Miami International Mall – Miami, FL
Minneapolis Mall of America – Bloomington, MN
Houston The Galleria – Houston, TX
Phoenix Chandler Fashion Center – Chandler, AZ
Seattle Northgate Mall – Seattle, WA

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