Panasonic Announces 3DTV strategy

Among the numerous 3DTV announcements at CES,  Panasonic has announced that they will be the first to hit the plasma 3DTV market with their VIERA VT2-series HDTVs.   Both the 50″ (TH-P50VT2) and 54″ (TH-P54VT2) models come with an exceptional 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Panasonic claims this contrast ratio breakthrough is due to their “deep black filter” technology.  The VT series 3DTV’s comes included with an active-shutter 3D glass that weighs just 63 grams and are designed so that they can be worn atop existing prescription eyeglasses.  The two TVs will be go on sale in Japan on April 23rd and expected street prices are ¥530,000 (US$5,895) for the 54″ TH-P50VT2 and ¥430,000 (US$4,790) for the 50″ TH-P50VT2

Beyond these first-generation plasmas that require shutter-glasses, Panasonic has ambitious plans for 3DTV.  They expect to sell a half-million 3DTVs this year in Japan alone, which will means that in its first year 3D-capable HDTVs will comprise 10% of the TVs Panasonic will sell that are over 37″.  As the market grows they expect that half of all 3DTVs sold in Japan to be Panasonic’s.  According to a market research firm, DisplaySearch, the 3D TV market is expected to expand to a $17-billion market, with sales increasing to 64 million units in 2018.  Panasonic has an arsenal of 3D technologies that they are currently developing; everything from 3DTVs using polarized glasses to 152-inch 4K 3D plasmas that they have shown at CES.  Panasonic has taken a first step in a very long road.