Q You recently wrote that 3-D TVs would cost no more than 30 percent more than comparable models from last year. The new 1080p 3-D 50-inch Panasonic sells for well over $2,000, and I saw regular 1080p 50-inchers selling for around $1,000 around the holidays. Were you simply wrong, or have the manufacturers jacked up prices for 3-D?
THADDEUS MARK, ST. LOUIS
A The recently introduced 50-inch Panasonic plasma 3-D HDTV is from Panasonic's upmarket V-series line, not the lower priced U-series, S-series, and G-series lines you usually see at big-box stores. Last year's V-series model, the TC-P50V10, had a suggested retail price of $2,299. The new 3-D model, the TC-P50VT20, is $2,499, an increase of less than 10 percent. Not even taking a year's worth of inflation into account, the superior image quality of the TC-P50VT20 plus the 3-D capability represents good value for the additional cost.
Lower-priced models have been announced. In May, you will be able to buy the Samsung LN46C750, a 46-inch 3-D LCD TV, for $1,699. As smaller screen sizes are introduced and more manufacturers release products and compete, prices will drop even lower. Nevertheless, 3-D TV is a premium product. If you want it, you should expect to pay more.
Lately, I've had an in-box overflowing with 3-D TV questions.
One reader worried about his new TV being "obsolete a month after I set it up." If he buys a non-3-D model now, in a year or two when 3-D is much more prevalent and he sees 3-D demos in stores, more 3-D movies in theaters and 3-D Blu-rays on the shelves, all at lower prices, he is likely to be bummed that he didn't get a 3-D set to begin with, especially if he is a home-theater enthusiast. In his case, it might be worth spending the premium now to get a 3-D-capable set so he can enjoy 3-D content in the future without having to buy a new television.
If you aren't an enthusiast, lacking 3-D probably won't bother you as much.
A friend and colleague has aptly pointed out that although the 3-D capability is here, there isn't much to watch yet. Several cable networks have announced 3-D channels and CBS will be broadcasting the Final Four in 3-D this year, but it could be a year or two before there is an appreciable amount of 3-D content available. Even the upcoming "Avatar" Blu-ray won't be a 3-D release initially, which surprised many of us in the industry since the film did a lot to put 3-D into consumers' consciousness.
