Yes, the 3D HDTV has been coming! Samsung has released 3D HDTV and now is available at Amazon.com. You can choose models with 46-inch or 55-inch screen, LED or plasma technologies.

There are two models of the Samsung 3D LED HDTV (7000 series): Samsung UN46C7000 and UN55C7000 with screen size of 46-inch and 55-inch respectively. They have the same features except their audio power. The UN46C7000 sports 10 watts x2 audio power stereo , while the UN55C7000 is more powerful 2x15 watts.

The both models are not only 3D ready, but they can also be used for accessing Internet. They need wired or wireless (Wi-Fi) network for connecting to the Web. Once connected to the Intenet, you just select one of many widgets for accessing Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, eBay, RallyCast, Yahoo! Weather/News, or USA Today Sports.


You can also connect a PC to the HDTVs for streaming video or audio and display pictures. A digital camera, USB drive, or video cam can be connected directly for sharing videos and photos with your family.

There are also game applications ready to play, such as Monopoly from EA, interactive card games, and more.

Samsung 7000 series are more than 3D LED HDTV.

LG has announced its 3D TV models that will be the worlds first HDTV with LED-LCD and 3D support. The product series, LX9500, will be available in two models, one coming in at 47-inch, and the other a larger model measuring 55-inch.

Both of the 1080p LED models come packed with features including USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4 ports, a Wireless AV Link, Skype software, and of course 3D support. The models require you to wear USB-powered glasses.

Both models will available in Europe and US in early May. When the LX9500 launches in Korea it is expected to cost around 4.7million South Korean Won, or roughly $4,000.

XpanD announced universal 3D active glasses that will work on almost any 3D TV set. XpandD’s X103 glasses will be compatible with most computer monitors and 3D TVs, as well as cinemas currently using XpanD’s technology.

XpanD's universal 3D glasses won't be tied to a single brand name or TV model. XpanD is using the standard active shutter-glasses technology that most 3DTV manufacturers employ with their new 3D models. XpanD's glasses achieve this universal function by receiving the infrared signal from any 3D TV, allowing it to identify the television's brand and model, and to make the adjustments necessary to display in 3D. The process will be completely automatic.

XpanD's X103 Specifications

Lens Type: Pi-cell LCD
Lens Size: 2,5” diagonal (6.35 centimeters diagonal)
Weight: 2.1 ounces (59.5 grams)
Sync Method: XpanD Cinema IR, CE IR, VESA, USB
Battery Life: ~ 250 hours
Cleaning: X-Wipes (cleaning wipes)

If you are ready to buy a 3D TV, what's on the new hardware anyway? Fortunately, some TV networks have been ready with their 3D shows.


Discovery

Dicovery Communications is teaming up with IMAX and Sony to launch a 24/7 3D television network. IMAX and Sony will obtain television rights to 3D movies which will air on Discovery's 3D network. Some programming will be offered by the new channel. It will cover such topics as engineering, science, technology, natural history, space, and so on. And there will be plenty of nature shows are good match for the realism of 3D.

ESPN

The sport channel – ESPN – will launch a 3D TV network in June. It will show at least 85 sporting events this year. The first 2010 FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 will be its inaugural 3D show.

The network that has tested ESPN 3D for more than two years is optimistic that its audiences will cheer the new show.

DirectTV

Are you a subsriber of Direct TV HD? If so, in June 2010, you will get a free software upgrade that allows you to watch three 3D channels. The first channel will show movies, documentaries, and other fare. The second, 3D DIRECTV on Demand, will have sports, music, and other content. A third channel will have free 3D sampler demos.

To develop shows in 3D, DirectTV is working with a number of big-name content providers, such as CBS, Fox Sports, Turner Broadcasting, MTV, and NBC Universal.

Blu-ray

If you also plan to buy 3D-capable Blu-ray player, there will be a number of titles you can choose from. The titles will follow “Avatar”, “Up”, and “Alice in Wonderland” that have been a natural for 3D home theater.

Samsung 3D glasses for its 3D LED, LCD, and plasma TVs cannot be used with other TV brands. The electronic shutter 3D glasses will come in three versions: One powered by an internal rechargeable battery (US$200), another with a replaceable coin-sized battery (US$150), and a smaller set of rechargeable glasses for children (US$180).

The model with battery offers about 400 hours of use between batteries, while the rechargeable units should be charged fully before watching an average-length movie.

The same Samsung 3D glasses will provide an identical 3D viewing experience whether they are used to watch movie on LCD and LED panels or plasma screens. Samsung’s representative explained that plasma screens do not refresh image the same way as LCD and LED panels. Samsung’s LED and LCD Tvs provide a 240Hz refresh rate, the glasses refresh at half that rate (120Hz) because they synchronize to 3D content by alternately closing and opening each side.

Sony will begin shipping 3D TVs in Japan and the rest of the world on June 10, 2010. Two models, which are 40- and 46-inch, will come bundled with two pairs of 3D glasses and the price will be 290,000 yen (US$3,215) and 350,000 yen respectively. The both models will be followed by six further sets in July: 52- and 60-inch models that come with 3D glasess and four models that have 3D ciruity inside but require the additional glasses and infrared transmitter.

Estimated price of the glasses will be 12,000 yen per pair and the transmitter will cost 5,000 yen. The transmitter sends out a signal to synchronize electronic shutter in the glasses. According to Sony, the products can typically be found online for less.

Each set will be included by a real-time 2D-to-3D convertor. The convertor will simulate a 3D image from conventional 2D television image.

A firmware upgrade to its PlayStation 3 console that adds 3D support and other 3D-compatible home electronics products will also be available to coincide with the television launch.

Philips launched 21:9 TV last year. Last week, the company announced 3D version of the 21:9 TV and will be available from late summer 2010. It has a 21:9 aspect ratio allowing you to view movies as they were meant to be seen (2.39:1), rather than with borders at the top and bottom. The 3D versions come in 8000 and 9000 series. Prices are yet to be announced, but Philips won’t be charging a “premium” for the 3D TV.

Philips is using active-shutter technology to deliver 3D. This is the same system most other manufacturers use. The technology relies on a transmitter to sync a pair of glasses, which in turn produce the 3D effect by shutting off one eye at a time.

No 3D glasses will be supplied with the Philips’ TV, customers have to purchase these separately. Philips’ 56-inch 21:9 TV is the natural platform for 3D.

Will you buy a 3D TV this year when they are launched? There are many reasons why you have to buy it. Not only because of TV broadcasters will have interesting 3D programs, but you will also see Blu-ray content and players in the market this summer. Blu-ray Disc will play a big role in the 3D revolution.

Disney says it will have a 3D version of A Christmas Carol out by the fourth quarter of 2010. DreamWorks and Samsung have announced a deal with Technicolor to replicate content in 3D.

Interestingly, ESPN will show 85 sporting events in 3D. Sony is partnering with Discovery and Imax to have a 3D channel by 2011. And broadcasters - such as BSkyB - are getting into the act, too.

Manufacturers are also thinking about 3D on a computer, notebook, and mobile phone. Not less than 80 percent of PC games are currently available in 3D.

For filmmakers, a 3D camera will arrive in the fall: Panasonic $21,000, professional-grade Full HD camcorder. It will be able to record video from each of its twin lenses.

There is no reason you will not buy 3D TV. But you need a kind of 3D TV buying guide you can trust.

Some vendors have announced their 3D TV products. They will ship them in the next couple months. Samsung has began producing 3D-compatible LED and LCD screens. On the other hand, LG will launch 3D TV series in April 2010.

When the products hit the market, this site will be your 3D TV Buying Guide. Mean while, here are some vendors that have announced their products.

Samsung
Samsung has launched 3D TV series: LED 9000, LED 8000 and LED 7000. The LED 9000 series is just 0.3-inch thin, with sleek brush metal frame and the ability to convert 2D content to 3D in real time.

The LED9000 remote has a touch-screen that can display live TV feeds while your main panel shows a Blu-ray, for example. Excitingly, when you near the TV, it automatically opens up the button control panel for you.

Lately, Samsung also announced that the company began producing 3D-compatible LED and LCD screens. The full-HD 3D TVs are 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch. The products include Samsung LED7000 series and 750 Series LCD TVs.

Panasonic

This summer, Panasonic will launch 3D TVs. The upcoming full HD (1080p) 3D Viera TVs range in screen size from nearly 50 inches to 65 inches. They include two 50-inch models ( the TC-P50VT20 and TC-P50VT25); a 54-inch set (TC-P54VT25); a 58-inch set (TC-P58VT25) and the 65-inch top-of-the-line TC-P65VT25. Each model will be shipped with one pair of the special glasses. The glasses are required to see content in 3D.  Panasonic has not announced the pricing yet.

LG

LG will also deliver 3D television into your home. The first 3D product will be LD360 series. LG has not announced the price for the 47-inch LCD TV, but the products will be available form April 2010.

Sony
In 3D arena, Sony will not only launch 3D TVs but also Blu-ray player, home theater unit, and firmware upgrade of PlayStation 3:

• Bravia XBR-LX900 series (40, 46, 52, and 60-inch). Sony Bravia XBR-LX900 has a built-in 3D transmitter and integrated 3D functionality to be used with Sony's 3D active shutter glasses. The LX 900 also delivers 1080p resolution, and built-in Wi-Fi to access Internet video.
• Bravia XBR-HX900 series (46 and 52-inch)
• Bravia HX800 series (40, 46, and 55-inch)
• BDP-S770 Blu-ray player
• BDV-HZ970W home theater unit
• PlayStation 3 (firmware upgrade)

Toshiba
With Toshiba ZX900 Cell 3D TV, the company goes one step further by converting reguler 2D TV to 3D TV. The ZX900 has 8 core processors which delivers 13 times more processing power than a regular TV, and a built-in Blu-ray player. It uses KIRA2 LED-backlit displays and gives you access to Net TV channels.

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Television makers are using active shutter technology. The 3D TVs requires special glasses. RealD is providing the glass technology to a number of TV manufactures. Right now, there is no guarantee that the glasses will be compatible across manufactures. (Read also 3D TV Technology.)