TV IN 3D!!!

As the economy worsens, the forecast for the TV market is looking grim. The LCD TV market is only expected to grow about 17% in terms of units shipped in 2009, according to research firm DisplaySearch. Plasma TV growth is also expected to suffer with the market only expected to grow by about 5% in 2009. TV makers are looking for the next big thing to attract new consumers and some are hoping that 3D TVs could be it. At the Consumers Electronic Show in Las Vegas, four of the top selling TV manufacturers-Samsung Electronics, Sony, LG Electronics, and Panasonic-showed off their latest versions of 3D TVs. Some manufacturers, such as Mitsubishi, Phillips, Samsung, and Sharp, have already begun selling 3D ready TVs. Many other manufactures will release their 3D TVs this year. Pricing for today’s 3D ready TVs is comparable to other flat-screen HDTVs. Samsung and Mitsubishi currently sell their 3D ready TVs at prices between $1,000 and $2,800, depending on functionality. Both the NBA and NFL have broadcast events and games in 3D to movie theatres. Keisuke Suetsugi, a manager for the audio visual center at Panasonic, believes that even the newer, more advanced 3D TV’s will not cost much more than TVs without 3D. So for consumers already in the market for a TV, adding 3D readiness might not add much cost. But will 3D be enough to compel cutting-edge consumers to replace their 2 or 3 yr. old TVs? Well that’s what TV manufacturers are hoping!