Samsung Launches 3D TVsSamsung Launches 3D TVs

Samsung C9000 3-D LED TV

Samsung has introduced its lineup of 3-D televisions, marking the company's entry into the visually immersive technology that consumer electronics vendors hope will become the next big thing in home entertainment.

The new 3-D high-definition products from the world's largest TV maker include LED, LCD, and plasma sets. In addition, the company introduced a 3-D Blu-ray player with speakers.

Samsung and rivals Sony and Panasonic laid out their 3-D TV plans this week. TV makers are banking on 3-D to become the next big driver of hardware upgrades in home entertainment. Fueling the vendor excitement is the success Hollywood has had with 3-D in the movie theaters. Avatar, which features the latest advancements in the technology, has become the highest grossing film ever.

Samsung's 3-D LED TVs include the C7000, C8000, and C9000 series. Screen sizes range from 40 inches to 65 inches and prices from $2,000 to $7,000. The C7000 series starts shipping this month, and the C8000 and C9000 series in April.

An LED TV is actually an LCD television that uses light-emitting diodes as back-lighting for higher picture quality. Traditional LCD TVs use fluorescent lights. Samsung's 3-D sets have a built-in proprietary processor compatible with major 3-D format standards. When the processor is not in use, the TVs show regular 2-D programming.

Samsung's 3-D LCD lineup is the C750 series, which will be available in May starting with a 46-inch set for $1,700. The 3-D plasma TVs are the ultra-slim C8000 and C7000 series. Screen sizes range from 50 inches to 63 inches and prices from $1,800 to $3,800. The new products are set to ship in May.

Finally, Samsung plans to ship in April a 3-D Blu-ray player. The HT-C6930W offers surround sound, high-definition 1080p video playback, and eight speakers. The system will cost $900.

With prices of 3-D TVs significantly higher than standard televisions, analysts do not expect consumers to embrace the new technology until a lot more content is available. However, content production is gearing up. Cable TV companies and broadcasters are developing 3-D programming and Hollywood studios are releasing a steady stream of 3-D movies.

The industry's push to 3-D is expected to drive sales. Global 3-D TV shipments will rise to 78 million units by 2015, rising at a compound annual growth rate of 80% from 4.2 million units this year, according to iSuppli. Revenue will increase to $64.4 billion during the same timeframe, from $7.4 billion this year.