News TV SETS

As the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports, Panasonic will begin selling 3D televisions in the Unites States this week. Its co-operating partner for the market launch is electronics chain Best Buy and in addition, 3D films such as "Avatar" should boost revenue in the coming months.


According to reports in the American media, a 50-inch Viera model should be available of a price of 2,500 US Dollars (1,831 Euro). The plasma models should also be offered in screen diagonals of 54, 58 and 65 inches. According to company President Fumio Ohtsubo, Panasonic intends to sell around one million 3D devices worldwide, 500,000 of these in North America alone.

Best Buy is to set up flat screen televisions in several hundred large branches to give customers a three-dimensional television experience, writes the WSJ. If the launch is successful, the partners are considering further activities.



Panasonic is the world’s fourth largest flat screen manufacturer. Sony and LG are further ahead, whilst Samsung is uncontested in first place. The entertainment electronics manufacturers are hoping to increase sales profit with 3D televisions. Conventional flat screen televisions have now become so inexpensive that profit margins are tending towards zero.

Bob Perry, business sector manager at Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, elaborates: " Television has successfully moved from black and white, to color, to High Definition. But immersive, totally realistic 3D imagery has been the final frontier and beginning today, Panasonic has conquered that as well." Best Buy ha sbeen a proactive and important partner in this step, said Perry, and Panasonic was proud to have achieved this milestone together with them.