CES 2010: 3D TV is everywhere, but prices are still MIA

With most major brands announcing 3D TVs, we're getting a clearer idea of how the various companies will be integrating 3D into their TV lines. But what still remains to be seen is how much of a premium 3D TVs will command over more traditional sets.

Panasonic, which has been promoting 3D for more than a year, expects to be among the first to actually ship a 3D TV when its VT25-series "Full HD 3D" models arrive this spring. The four plasma sets, in 50-, 54-, 58-, and 65-inch screen sizes, come with one pair of active shutter-style 3D glasses. One of the company's guest speakers was Jon Landau, producer of the 3D movie Avatar, which partnered with Panasonic last year to promote both the movie and 3D technology.

Sony Bravia LX900
Photo: Sony

Sony hit CES with a splashy press conference featuring a live performance by Sony Music artist Taylor Swift and a 3D demo for those lucky enough to be in the front rows. The company said it will launch three series of LED-backlit 3D HDTVs this summer, one of which—the flagship LX900 series—comes with two pairs of active-shutter glasses and the transmitter required for viewing 3D content on the TV. Two other "3D-ready" series (HX900 and HX800) will be similarly featured, except you'll have to buy the glasses and transmitter separately. Screen sizes will range from 40 to 60 inches.

Samsung said half its LED LCD TV introductions in 2010 will be 3D models, many using a new "inspired by nature" design scheme. Heading the lineup are what could be the best-looking TVs I've seen so far, the ultra-slim 9000 Series. These sets achieve their svelte profiles by housing the TV's electronics circuitry inside the stand. They come with a unique touch-screen Wi-Fi remote that doubles as a second display, so you can watch a TV program on the remote while a Blu-ray movie is playing on the TV. Samsung's other 3D-enabled models are 8000 and 7000 series LED LCD sets, plus a 3D-ready 7000 plasma series. Samsung said its 3D processor can convert standard 2D images to 3D on the fly.

Toshiba Cell TV
Photo: Toshiba

Toshiba was at CES touting its new "Cell TV Series," a line of ultra-premium models that use the powerful Cell processor it helped develop originally for the PlayStation 3 video game console. ZX900-series sets, which have a two-piece design that includes a separate settop box with an integrated Blu-ray player and 1-terabyte hard drive, use the Cell processor to power its 3D engine, convert 2D content to 3D on the fly, and upconvert standard-def content for 1080p output. These sets have lots of bells and whistles, including a Kira2 LED panel with 512 zones that can be separately dimmed, wireless networking and Wireless HDMI, and video phone capability. Cell TV XV900-series models will be available in 55- and 65-inch screen sizes, though no firm shipment dates were announced.

LG Electronics unveiled a new family of Infinia-brand LCD TVs with LED backlights, including the LE9500 sets, which will be the company's first 3D-ready models in the US. These ultra-slim sets, less than an inch deep, will be available in 47- and 55-inch screen sizes. They come with a new "Magic Wand" remote that can respond to gestures, much like Nintendo's Wii video game remotes.

Although Sharp's main TV focus was its "Quad Pixel" technology, which expands the color gamut on some Aquos sets by adding a fourth primary color—yellow—to the traditional red, green, and blue, it does have a 3D prototype at the show. However, there was little information about when it will ship its first model.

We'll be filing more reports on the new TV lineups, which include features such as wireless HDMI, increased access to online content such as streaming movies, 480Hz anti-blurring technologies, and LED backlights with more zones that can be locally dimmed, later in the week, so keep checking back with us for CES updates.

—James K. Willcox