2010 will be remembered as the year 3D entertainment became a reality. The market for 3D television sets is rapidly becoming the hottest battleground for TV manufacturers (Panasonic's first batch sold out in a week!)

Various companies have been gearing up to release 3D televisions, 3D Blu-ray players, 3D projectors, and complete 3D-enabled home theatre systems. You can also get into 3D the PC way, with 3D-enabled monitors, graphics cards and players.

3D Tech You Can Buy Right Now


3D TV Market Contenders

  • Grundig
  • Hitachi
  • Hyundai

  • JVC

    • JVC is shipping the JVC GD-463D10, a 46" 3D LCD HDTV, priced around the US$9,000 mark.

  • LG

    LG's Full LED Infinia LX9900 series of TV sets is 3D Ready, and includes 2 pairs of Active 3D glasses. The series includes the LG Infinia 55LX9900 (55") and the LG Infinia 47LX9900 (47").

    While LG's LED Infinia LX6900 series has edge LED rather than the Full LED setup of the LX9900 series, and a 200Mhz rather than 400Mhz refresh rate, it still offers Full HD 1920x1080p resolution and is 3D Ready. TVs in the series include the LG Infinia 47LX6900 (47") and the LG Infinia 42LX6900 (42"). Both models ship with a single pair of Active 3D glasses.

    The LG BX580 3D Blu-ray player lets you play the latest 3D Blu-ray films, alongside normal Blu-ray and DVD titles (it upscales the latter to 1080p resolution). It allows any DLNA device connected to your home network (via Ethernet or wifi) to stream content through the player to a nearby television.

    For computer enthusiasts, the LG W2363D monitor offers 3D picture quality with a HD 1920x1080 display resolution. There's more info in LG's press release.

    On the 3D projector front LG has announced the LG CF3D projector, a single lens full HD 3D projector delivering 1920x1080 pixel resolution, and with a brightness of up to 2500 ANSI-lumens. You can read more information about the 3D projector here.

  • Mitsubishi

  • Panasonic

    Forthcoming 3D televisions from Panasonic include its flagship Viera VT25 series, including the Panasonic Viera TC-P54VT25 (a 54" model) and the Panasonic Viera TC-P50VT25 (a 50" model). Both models are Full HD 3D capable i.e. they are able to display 3D content in a native Full HD resolution of 1920x1080.

    To complement its 3D plasma TV offerings, Panasonic has also announced two Full HD 3D Blu-Ray players, the Panasonic DMP-BDT350 (DLNA enabled) and the Panasonic DMP-BDT300. Both models will play FULL HD 3D BD discs, and feature 7.1 audio. Pricing is not yet available.

    On the home cinema front, they announced the Panasonic SC-TZ2, a wireless home theatre audio system made for Full HD 3D. It's capable of simulating a 7.1 speaker configuration virtually, using only two physical speakers.

    For ultimate wow factor, they also announced a 152-inch 4K x 2K definition Full HD 3D plasma display, using PDP technology. No pricing info yet, but one would guess it's likely to come in at City Bonus levels...

  • Philips

  • Samsung

    Samsung is launching a series of LCD, LED and Plasma 3D televisions. The Samsung LED 9000 and Samsung LED 8000 range of models will all include Samsung's proprietary built-in 3D processor. Samsung has also announced a 3D Blu-ray player, the Samsung BD-C6900. As well as being 3D-ready, the player will also include built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. No pricing announced. See Samsung's press release for more info.
  • Sanyo
  • Sharp

  • Sony

    Sony has launched the Sony Bravia LX900 range of television sets, which integrate Full HD 3D and use active shutter glasses to produce a full HD 3D image. Products include the 40" Sony KDL-40LX903, and the top of the line 60" Sony KDL-60LX903. Part of the 2010 Bravia Signature range, these are scheduled to be available in the UK soon.

    Sony is also releasing a companion Bluray player, the Sony BDP-S770 Blu-Ray Disc Player, allowing for a complete 3D home entertainment experience. The player will come with built-in Wi-Fi and ethernet connectivity.

    Another option allowing for 3D down the road is to buy a Sony KDL-52HX903 3D capable television from Sony's Bravia Cinematic range. This 52" set doesn't come with 3D built in as standard, but it can display 3D images so long as you purchase active shutter glasses and a 3D transmitter accessory separately. Other 3D capable televisions include the 46" Sony KDL-46HX903 and Sony KDL-46HX803, and the 40" Sony KDL-40HX803

    Sony is also moving forward with a home theatre system, Sony BDV-HZ970W, which combines an integrated 3D Blu-ray player with a 5.1 speaker system including wireless rear speakers. You can see the TV product announcement here, and the Blu-Ray product announcement here. here, or visit Sony's information page.

  • Toshiba

    Toshiba has announced the Toshiba ZX900 Series Cell TV, which offers allegedly unparalleled levels of in-TV processing power for upscaling and noise cancellation. The TV is 3D ready, and can supposedly even convert 2D content to 3D in real time. No pricing or availability specifics have been made public.

    Toshiba has announced a 3D Blu-ray player, the Toshiba BDX3000, which is likely to be available in Q3, 2010.

  • Vizio

    Vizio has announced a line of HDTVs, the Vizio HVT Pro Series, which are full HD 3D televisions. As well as the flagship 72" model, a full screen 21x9 aspect ratio 58" tv, and 55" and 47" models complete the lineup.

3D TV Programming

  • The 2010 World Cup

    The 2010 World Cup will be broadcast on ESPN's new dedicated 3D television network in the USA, starting on 11 June 2010. More information from the Guardian report.