The big manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic, Samsung and Toshiba have made considerable investments in 3D technology in 2010. Although 3D television technology sales were not disasterous, a lack of content meant that less than a million high end 3D enabled TV sales in the US were sold.

John Revie, Samsung home entertainment senior VP, says that he expects to sell as many as 6 million units in 2011 by applying 3D technology to more basic TV models. The noticeable trend in 2010 for consumers buying a new TV was to look further down the model range. Bare bones 2D models sold particularly well. Samsung want to take advantage of this trend by offering 3D capability on 80% of their 2011 TV model range.

A major disincentive for consumers thinking of 3D adoption was the cost of glasses. Samsung are aiming to reduce upfront costs by offering more basic 3D capable TVs that don’t include glasses or 3D transmitter in the initial cost.

Samsung’s Korean rival LG are going a step further with the introduction of ‘Passive’ 3D technology in 2011. Over half of LG’s TV model range will adopt this alternative approach to the new format; which offers the significant advantage of much cheaper glasses.

Despite the 3D TV getting off to a shaky start in 2010, the format is generally recognized as a genuinely innovative and exciting 3D TV experience.

The digital TV giants have underlined their commitment to working on their 3D propositions in 2011. Chief engineer at Sky Chris Johns went on to insist Sky 3D is in need of more content and that the channel will not begin broadcasting around the clock just for the sake of it.

All of this suggests to us that both companies are well aware of the importance of the 3D TV market in order to meet the ever-growing consumer demand for this new technology.

Still unconvinced that 3D is here to stay? It’s worth taking a look at figures released by electricals retailers Currys and PC World ahead of the busy Christmas period, which revealed TVs of this type accounted for just under a third of all sales of large-screen sets in their 650 UK stores and online.

Research by Display search, reveals that there has been heavy investment by manufacturers on 3D TV sets but lack of content has been the main barrier to buy.

Director of TV electronics research at DisplaySearch, Paul Gray, said: “TV manufacturers really got ahead of themselves in 2010, and they forgot that a TV is a tool to watch content. People will only buy a 3D TV if there is enough content to watch, and in 2010, there simply was not enough 3D content available.”

With consumer consumption expected to increase for 3D compatible products, the industry is expected to produce 18 million 3D TV sets in 2011. This might lead to a shipment of 91 million 3D TV sets in 2014.

“TV set makers are strongly committed to 3D, and they expect their strong lead to encourage content creators to follow,” Mr Gray added. “Weakness in the North American TV market was largely to blame for slow 3D shipments, although our research shows that only 40 3D Blu-ray disc titles were available across all genres at the end of 2010”.

Unlike other 3D televisions that are currently available, Toshiba’s TVs achieve the illusion of depth thanks to a thin sheet of small lenses in front of the display meaning no glasses are required for viewing full 3D. The lenses split light from the screen to one of nine points in front of the TV.

The TV was first showcased at October’s Ceatec in Japan, and caused a lot of excitement:

“It has been three months, I think we should show [the TVs] with better technology,” said Masaaki Oosumi, president of Toshiba’s digital media network unit. He was speaking to a small group of reporters late Friday at a Toshiba event.

At Ceatec Toshiba showed two 3D TV models, a 12-inch and a 20-inch television. Both Toshiba 3D TV models are due on sale in Japan before the end of the month. The TVs will cost around ¥120,000 (GBP£1,000) and ¥240,000(GBP£2,000) respectively.

Toshiba confirmed that the company will be developing larger screen sizes in 2011, as US consumers demand screen sizes over 40 inches.

“Next year is the key year to extend development of the technology and extend the screen size,” said Oosumi.

The International Consumer Electronics Show runs from Jan. 6 to 9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Over one million 3D television sets were sold in Europe during 2010 – around 5 percent of all the televisions sold. That number is expected to double in 2011 with 19 million 3D TV sets are forecast to be sold in Europe.

The group said it was on track to deliver £50m of cost-savings in the current financial year.

Sky Perfect JSAT Corp. will broadcast tThe 10-episode drama about Tokyo’s air traffic control centre, said Fuji Television, which produces the drama.

“3-D will give us a more vigorous and realistic impact,” said actress Ayako Kawahara, who plays the main role. “I think (viewers) can feel like they are actually in there.”

3D technology has become increasingly mainstream with Japanese electronics makers releasing 3D TV sets behind the popularity of Hollywood blockbusters such as “Avatar”.

The Panasonic plasma model showed the best 3D picture quality and the least amount of ghosting of all sets tested. Televisions made by LG and Samsung round out the top three choices.

Consumer Reports engineers used in-house developed 3D test patterns and viewed 3D Blu-ray movies and recorded 3D sports broadcasts in the analysis of the 14 units. The Sony LCD model came theclosest to the 3D picture quality of a plasma set.

“It remains to be seen whether 3D TV is just a novelty or a new product category in the consumer electronics space,” said Paul Reynolds, electronics editor for Consumer Reports. “But, our tests show that there are some fine 3D TV sets out there for those consumers eager for a new experience.”

Apparently, ghosting, which are double images seen on screen, is an inherent issue with all 3D TV sets. However, it occurred less–when 3D glasses are worn– with plasma than on LCD 3D units. Head movement prompts ghosting in the LCD units.

Special 3D glasses are required for all units. Some manufacturers do include glasses with their units and some charge extra per pair. The first universal pairs 3D glasses recently became available. Consumers cited non compatible 3D glasses as one of the main reasons they chose not to buy at 3D television set.

Different 3D glasses offer various levels of comfort. CR recommends trying on the eyewear before making the purchase.

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.