Panasonic Bows, Sells First 3D TV System

10 Mar, 2010 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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The 3D TV race among consumer electronics manufacturers found an apparent winner as Panasonic Corp. March 10 said it sold the world’s first 3D home entertainment system at a Best Buy in Manhattan, N.Y.

Panasonic’s Full HD 3D Plasma home theater system is available exclusively at select Best Buy retailers via its in-store Magnolia Home Theater for $2,900.

The system consists of a 50-inch Panasonic Viera VT20 plasma 3D HDTV ($2,499.95), one pair of Panasonic 3D active shutter lens eyewear and the Panasonic BDT300 3D Blu-ray Disc layer ($399.95).  

Separate pairs of 3D eyewear retail for $149.95, and individual components within the system are also sold separately.

“The demand for 3D technology in the home is just beginning for consumers,” said Michael Vitelli, president, Americas, Best Buy.

Coinciding with the launch, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment will bow Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs as its debut title in the Blu-ray 3D format.

“3D has invigorated the theater experience, and it will be the same for the living room,” said Mary Daily, EVP of marketing for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. “3D will become a game changer for the home entertainment industry.”

The Ice Age franchise has grossed nearly $2 billion in worldwide box office and sold more than 75 million units in home entertainment, according to Fox.

Panasonic March 15 will launch a 15-city, Panasonic Touch The Future nationwide tour in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and then visiting Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Phoenix, Seattle, Detroit, Minneapolis, Dallas and Houston in March and April.

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