In a follow-up to its March videos demonstrating tests of 3D TV reported here at 3DHollywood.net, Consumer Reports, the publisher issued another announcement reiterating its previous findings tied to a printed report in the June issue of the magazine.
Bottom line: the sets live up to their advance billing, but the average consumer shouldn’t rush out to buy one.
The announcement states that the results of the first lab tests — outside of manufacturer facilities — of two Samsung LCD sets and a Panasonic plasma TV with 3D capability are “impressive” — the 3D images had excellent depth, color, and high-def details, creating a compelling 3D picture as good as a movie theater.
However, for consumers who are satisfied with their current HDTV and aren’t burning to have the latest technology, Consumer Reports recommends waiting to buy. The price of 3DTVs and Blu-ray players is likely to drop, and there should be more 3D content to watch in time.
“Blu-ray discs with 3D content are just arriving, and while 3D broadcasts are starting up it will be a while before there are many of them,” said Paul Reynolds, electronics editor, Consumer Reports. “Though there isn’t a huge price premium for the TVs, a 3D setup isn’t inexpensive. For the sets we tested, you should figure on paying about $3,000 for the TV, Blu-ray player, and glasses for a family of four.”
Consumer Reports evaluated two 46-inch Samsung LCD sets with edge LED backlighting, the UN46C7000, $2,600, and the UN46C8000, $2,800, and the 50-inch Panasonic TC-P50VT20 plasma set, $2,500.
The sets were connected to each company’s new 3D Blu-ray player, the Samsung BD-C6900 and Panasonic DMP-BDT300, each $400. Both Blu-ray players worked on all of the sets, but the glasses are brand-specific, and don’t work with other TVs. Consumer Reports testers watched the same Blu-ray 3D disc on all three TVs.
See our previous report or go to the Consumer Reports website for further details.