Panasonic and Samsung have become the first companies in the world to commercially market 3D TVs (which also display a conventional picture).

Their prices are more than triple that of today’s tellie - at least when looking at entry-level prices at each screen size.

Panasonic is offering a 50-inch Viera plasma (previewed in Auckland by NBR here) for $US2900 ($NZ3877), bundled with a 3D-capable Blu-ray player.

Separately, the Viera costs $US2500 ($NZ3342) and the 3D Blu-ray player $US400 ($NZ540; be mindful that with their lesser buying power, NZ subsidiaries often charge higher prices).

While that’s not chump change, neither is it out of earth orbit; in fact, it’s well within the range of the Japanese manufacturer’s premium-grade 2D plasmas, or Blu-ray players.

Panasonic said it was discounting the price by 50% to help goose uptake.

The company is aiming to sell 2 million 3D tellies over the next year; 1 million inside the US, 1 million in the rest of the world.

Extra cost for extra goggles
The 3D Viera, released yesterday NZ time, comes with one pair of 3D glasses. Extra pairs cost $US150 ($NZ200).

Samsung - which like Sony is plumping for LCD-based 3D TVs - put a 46-inch model on the market for $US3300 ($NZ4400), bundled with a free 3D Blu-ray player (necessary for playing 3D movies).

Sony New Zealand is aiming to release 46-inch and 50-inch 3D LCD Bravia TVs "this winter" (see preview here). Sky TV told NBR that June is the target date.

Panasonic New Zealand said it is also targeting a mid-year release.

Although only 46 and 50-inch models were released in the US yesterday, both Panasonic and Samsung both have larger models on the way shortly, running up to 65-inches.