An article on the Adweek website asks if we're "past the hype" when it comes to 3-D TV. Based on the reports coming from CES in Las Vegas, we're not only past the hype, we've moved on to numerous other consumer electronics stories.
Experts on a panel at the show discussed the state of 3-D TV and came to the conclusion that the technology is further along than many think.
According to the same Adweek article, Tom Cosgrove, CEO of 3net, said studies have shown that there will be up to 14 million 3-D televisions in the U.S. by the end of 2012.
A PCWorld piece explained why 3-D television went from being cool at previous CES shows to mundane. For one, manufacturers have moved on to "smart" sets connected to the internet, also being referred to as "convergence TV". There are also those "goofy glasses" that viewers have to wear to watch 3-D TV.
A continuing challenge to 3-D television acceptance is content. There just aren'tt enough good programs to keep viewers interested. Beyond "Avatar", content remains a challenge both in scope and quality.
Finally, price remains a roadblock to greater 3-D television sales. Steve Bambridge, global business director GfK Boutique Research, according to a piece on the Variety website, said China has the lowest cost to consumers and the greatest penetration of 3-D sets.
"What are they doing with those 3D TVs?" asked Mr. Bambridge. "There's not a lot of 3-D content in China — which goes to show if you drive the price low enough people will take the product."