The 3D TV experience can make viewers feel like they're part of the story, but 3D-enabled sets are not exactly flying off the shelves due to high prices and limited content.
However, consumers are expected to embrace 3D TV in the years to come, according to a Tuesday DisplaySearch report. The firm expects 3.2 million 3D televisions to ship in 2010, but that number is expected to grow to more than 90 million by 2014.In North America alone, DisplaySearch predicted 3D TV shipments of just under 1.6 million this year.
"While TV manufacturers have bold plans and a lot of new products, consumers remain cautious," Paul Gray, DisplaySearch's director of TV economics research, said in a statement. "Consumers have been told that 3D TV is the future, but there still remains a huge price jump and little 3D content to watch."
3D TVs will make up 2 percent of all flat-panel TV shipments in 2010, but will make up 41 percent of shipments by 2014, the report said.
Although 3D TV hasn't hooked consumers yet, they are not without options. There is evidence that some people are waiting for prices to drop since buying a 3D set as opposed to its 2D counterpart costs a pretty penny.
Panasonic's 50-inch 3D set, the TC-P50VT25, will put a $2,599.95-sized dent in the old wallet. The company's 2D TC-P50VT25 is the same size and costs $1,100 less. Samsung's 55-inch UN55C9000 3D TV, meanwhile, is a shocking $7,000, while its UN55C7000 is still out of reach for many consumers at $3,299. Several other companies offer their own models, including Sharp, Sony, Vizio, Mitsubishi, and LG.
3D glasses aren't really selling either, the study said, pointing to data from Western Europe that found people are not purchasing a pair of glasses for every 3D TV they buy.
Meanwhile, those who have bought 3D TVs often find there's not much to watch beyond ESPN's content and select 3D DVDs.
"TV manufacturers strongly believe in 3D and are driving its cost downward, but its value to consumers relies strongly on the availability of quality material to watch," Gray said.