After debuting products at the electronics conference several months ago, Samsung and Panasonic will begin selling 3-D TVs in U.S. retail locations this week. The development is the first step toward what the electronic industry hopes will become the 3-D living room.
Tuesday, Samsung Electronics Co. announced two product options for the 3-D sets which will come equipped with the glasses and a 3-D Blu-ray DVD player. Prices for a 46-inch screen start at around $3,000.
Panasonic Corp. will begin selling their 3-D offering in stores on Wednesday.
TV sales had gone flat over the past year as electronics company failed to release new developments beyond the flat screen and H-D options. After the success of this winter’s 3-D hit, Avatar and others, many companies concluded 3-D was the next wave of at-home entertainment.
Several television channels, including ESPN also have channels dedicated to the technology in the works.
Still, at the moment the 3-D system is somewhat premature, as only a small number of channels will offer options and very few DVDs are designed for viewing in the next dimension.
Additionally, the television requires the watcher to wear rechargeable glasses that interfere with viewing of non-television content.
Despite this, electronic makers are moving forward with production. Sony Corp. announced Tuesday that it would begin selling its own 3-D television in June and forecasts that 10 percent of total TV sales will be from 3-D. The Sony television will be pricier than Samsungs, as will Panasonics offering though now price has been disclosed.
Samsung's two original debuts are just the beginning; another 13 3-D models are expected in the upcoming months.
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