The Sky 3D channel will launch with 3D blockbuster movies that include Alice in Wonderland, Ice Age and Harry Potter. Sky has come to an agreement with Disney, Fox, Universal, Warner Bros, Paramout and DreamWorks to air the most demanded movies in 3D. The lineup itself will continue to expand.

In addition to major Hollywood blockbusters, Sky will be showcasing major upcoming sporting events in 3D. The launch date of the channel is planned to coincide with the popular Ryder Cup. The channel will also include many major Premier League football clashes.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, said: “As with High Definition, 3D is set to transform the way TV is enjoyed in homes nationwide. Following hot on the heels of the success of 3D cinema, Sky customers will now be the first anywhere in Europe to experience 3D TV from the comfort of their living rooms. They can look forward to a fantastic mix of live sport, blockbuster movies, and innovative entertainment and arts shows.”

Panasonic’s new TX-P65VT20B is massive. If you’ve got space in your living room for it, then the 65-inch full HD 3D THX-compatible plasma TV may be of interest.

The electronics giant Panasonic are the only manufacturer offering a model above 60-inch at this moment in time.

The 65 inch Panasonic 3D TV is currenlty available at £4500. The price is competitive for its specs. The 3D Television comes with both Freesat HD and a Freeview HD tuners and utilizes the 13th generation progressive Full-HD NeoPDP (Plasma Display Panel).

It has a contrast ratio of 5000000:1 and the high contrast filter pro which Panasonic claim is better than any LED/LCD panels available on the market today.

The 65 inch 3D TV comes with pair of 3D glasses, three speakers support for Dolby Digital Plus and THX technology and the whole set of VIERA tools.

Panasonic say they will be offering three new supersized sets, the TH-152UX1, TH-103VX200U and TH-85VX200U will be 152-inch, 103-inch and 85-inch plasma displays respectively.

This number is not that significant when campared to the 252 million TVs which are set to be sold this year worldwide, but it is important to remember that there is currently a lack of 3D content and the technology is still very new.

The figures were presented at GfK’s annual Consumer Electronic Conference who noted that “almost every notable manufacturer” is offering 3D in some shape or form.

It does seem however that gamers will soon be swapping 2D for 3D, if the Consumer Electronics Association has anything to do with it.

A study has shown that two-thirds (64 percent) of those who are interested in buying a 3D TV are games enthusiasts, with 27 per cent saying they will buy a 3D-capable display within a year.

“Like with 3DTV, HDTV and other innovative technologies, consumers will need to experience a 3D video game to truly appreciate the experience,” explained Ben Arnold, CEA’s senior research analyst.

“Manufacturers, retailers and game publishers will have to partner to offer more demonstrations and consumer education so prospective buyers can experience gameplay and other features of a 3D gaming device.”

Sony revealed at this year’s E3 expo the first 3D titles which will be released on the PS3.

Sharp’s current Quattron LV range is currently being upgraded to include 3D TV technology. Sharp’s 3D TV sets come in four extremely generous sizes: 40 inch, 46 inch, 52 inch and a massive 60 inches to be exact. A 60 inch 3D TV will be gigantic and it wont be long until we get to see some prototypes.

The current Quattron LV range beautiful with its minimal design and sharp lines. It measures in at under 40mm thin thanks to state of the art LED backlighting technology. We do not yet know whether Sharp Electronics will be able to fit the 3D technology into the same television dimensions, but we certainly hope so.

As you’d expect, the Quattron range will require a set of 3D glasses to view, these will cost you approximately £75 per pair. There has been talk of major manufaturers planning universal 3D glasses technology, but we do not yet know whether these plans will materialise so soon.

The 3D Quattron LV range will be released in Japan this July with international release dates are yet to be announced. Check back again soon to get the latest updates.

According to the iSuppli research, there are three distinct issues that are deterring consumers from buying 3D TVs this year. These issues are standardized video formats, content availability and 3D glasses interoperability.

Industry executives speaking at NewBay Media’s 3DTV2010 event were optimistic about a relatively quick uptake of the format by consumers. ESPN vice president of sales Sean Bratches said at the event: “Sports fans are early adopters of technology, and we think that the genre plays very well in terms of the technology, and we’re very optimistic about our plans”.

ESPN 3D is kicking off the 3D revolution on June 11 with the first match of the 2010 World Cup with distributors, including Comcast and DirecTV. The network expects to offer around 100 events in 3D format in the first year.

The debut 3D television from Panasonic(P50VT20 ) is launched right after Samsung unveiled its 46 inch 7000 series 3D TVs. Unlike rival models such as Sony’s HX903 3D TV and the LG LX990 3D TV, the Panasonic P50VT20B has opted to use plasma technology instead of LCD. In conventional televisions, plasma screens are considered cheaper to product but do not last as long due to burn ins.

The Panasonic plasma 3D TV is significantly heavier than an LED screen, but build quality remains high. Connections include two Scart inputs, component, Ethernet port and four HDMIs (one side-mounted, alongside the SD card reader). Panasonic bundles two pairs of Active Shutter 3D spex with the P50VT20. These glasses look distinctive but comfort levels compare well with conventional 3D glasses offered by other manufacturers.

The 3D performance of the Panasonic P50VT20 is very good indeed. We tried the set with 3D Blu-rays and Sky 3D played using the Panasonic DMP-BDT300 and were amazed by the performance and clarity of its images. There’s an effortless depth to its 3D which is really immersive. We rate 3D performance on the Panasonic as on par with Samsung 8000 series 3D TVs. It definitely out performs Samsungs 6000 series televisions.

This plasma also gets top marks for 2D. Picture quality from HD channels is very good. Black levels are huge and there’s no shortage of smear-free fine detail. The Panasonic P50VT20B falls slightly short on the audio front. There’s no real weight or stereophony to its 2 x 10W + 10w woofer output.

Ultimately, at around £2,000, Panasonic’s first 3D television is incredibly competitive for value and performance is up there with the best 3D televisions currently available.

Tech Specs

Every company making Active 3D TVs are using slightly different variations of the technology. This makes 3D TV glasses incompatible with other brands. This is seen as a major drawback considering active 3D glasses cost upwards of £100. Samsung’s 3D glasses use the same active shutter technology as Panasonic 3D TVs, only reversed. Basically this means that the glasses can will work with Panasonic 3D TVs when flipped upside down.

Samsung R&D chief Simon Lee said that there is likely to be an agreed 3D glasses standard by 2011; “I think that it’s likely that the different manufacturers will come together, possibly as early as next year, to agree a common standard for Active Shutter glasses”. In the mean time other universal glasses will become available.

Samsung Electronics Australia is kicking off World Cup fever by launching two nationwide promotions, offering customers the chance to score big when they purchase one of Samsung’s participating TVs. These promotions come hot on the heels of the recently launched, and surprisingly affordable, Samsung 3D TVs; the first to arrive in Australia.

People who purchase selected Samsung 3D TVs from retailers nationwide will have the opportunity to grab the Bonus 3D bundle. The bundle contains Samsung 3D Blu-ray player and two sets of rechargeable 3D glasses. In addition to this Bonus 3D bundle, customers are also eligible to receive a Bonus 3D TV starter kit that contains a 3D Blu-ray Disc of DreamWorks Animation SKG’s hit movie, Monsters vs. Aliens, and another two sets of battery powered 3D glasses.

“The countdown is underway to the World Cup and we anticipate many fans will be eager to upgrade their televisions to experience all the matches in the best way possible,” said Tony Brown, Marketing Manager, Samsung Electronics. “Those in the market for a new TV will score big with Samsung’s new promotions.”

“Samsung’s new range of 3D TVs are not only affordable, but they also let you convert any 2D content to 3D. So, Aussie fans will be able to experience all of the action from South Africa as if they were pitch-side. Your only problem will be getting your friends and neighbours to leave your house!” he said.

Expect similar deals to start appearing globally.

The new 9000 series 3D TV sets will include a full coloured touch screen remote control that communicates via WiFi and infrared. It will allow you to stream video from your PC to the TV, and also lets you watch TV in the palm of your hand while something else is playing on the screen.

Managing Director Kim, Kyung-hun said, “This is a product that we have pursued to make best in design, function and performance. With technological partnership with overseas firms, we will try to accomplish sales volume of 3D TV similar to LED TV last year.”

Samsung have set a huge challenge for themselves by stating that “We will try to accomplish sales volume of 3D TV similar to LED TV last year”. Bearing in mind they claimed that they sold 2.6 million LED TV sets in 2009. They also aim to quadruple this for 2010.

Samsung have been the leading manufacturer of TVs over the last few years with high specifications and stunning designs, and now the 3D TV series that is the benchmark for all other manufacterers to meet.

Samsung was first an £8 million pound ad campaign to market its 3D TV sets. The have officially gone on sale at John Lewis last week, with other high street retailers set to follow.

Samsung’s high budget television ad, by CHI, is full of special effects and uses 1,256 3D TV sets in an attempt to show viewers what innovation really is. The campaign is a departure for Samsung, who do not usually splash out on ads of these types that are typically more associated with brands such as Sony. The reasoning behing this could be that Samsung’s marketing is headed by Mikah Martin-Cruz, who created the famous “Paint” and “Play-Doh” ads for Sony’s Bravia TV before defecting.

3D TVs will be coming out from other manufacturers including Sony and Panasonic, who as yet have been tight-lipped on marketing plans, as well as LG. LG has broken cover by announcing that it is set to roll out its largest ever brand marketing campaign, which includes pushing its upcoming 3D TV range to secure an “ambitious goal” of a 25% share of sales this year.