3DTV roundup: LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung & Sony square off

After a year of hearing about 3DTVs nonstop we finally got some of the main contenders in house to examine, although we'll start by pointing out that this isn't so much of a "3DTV" roundup, since a more apt description of these displays is 3D-capable HDTVs. That's an important distinction to make, since nothing about the 2D performance of these TVs suffers because of their ability to do 3D, and in many cases they cost the exact same price as their comparable 2D-only models from last year. With that said Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi and LG's finest have had their moment and on the next page we've done our best to compare them in a way that makes sense for the average HDTV buyer who might also want to take in a 3D event or movie from time to time. Right now, there's barely enough 3D content to support more than a couple of hours viewing per week, much less support a full viewing conversion to all-glasses, all the time -- but more about that later. Check out our full impressions after the break. 

The players

We would've loved to have tested every 3DTV out there, but logistically that's simply beyond our capabilities. So instead, we took on two plasmas, two LCDs, and one DLP. We're not talking about any slouches here either. With one exception, these were all the top-of-the-line models. In the LCD category, we have the LED backlit Samsung UN40C7000 ($1,999 MSRP) and the LED backlit with local dimming Sony XBR-46HX909 ($3,499). Then there are the two plasmas: Panasonic's TC-P50VT25 ($2,599) and the brand new THX 3D-certified LG INFINIA 50PX950 ($1,799), plus a Mitsubishi WD73838 ($2,799). The Sony ships with two pairs of active shutter glasses, the Panasonic with one, while the LG, Mitsubishi and Samsung, the glasses are sold separately.  

source: engadget