Press Association
Saturday 11th February 2012
Consumers should prepare themselves for numerous "add-ons" if they fork out for a 3D television, a technology expert has said.
The first 3D sets were made available for pre-order in the UK as Sony led the charge in venturing into the market.
Samsung, LG and Panasonic are due to launch their models in the coming weeks.
Ben Stevens, senior online researcher and writer for Which?, said the price of the set itself was only the beginning.
He said: "It isn't just the 3D TV that you need. You're going to need a Sky subscription and 3D Blu-ray player and a transmitter that works with the glasses.
"There are going to be a lot of add-ons."
Prices for the Sony model start at £1,999, and viewers also need a pair of glasses which are £99.99 and a 3D transmitter for £74.99.
Mr Stevens added: "If you need ten pairs, it's going to get a bit expensive, and if a child sits on them, that's £100, it's not cheap."
Manufacturers are pushing the new technology ahead of the World Cup, and Sky will broadcast one Premier League game per week on its 3D service until the end of the season. A number of films will be released on 3D Blu-ray DVD this year including Avatar and Alice in Wonderland.
Mr Stevens said: "This is for special events like football and films, it's not going to be for your typical Coronation Street. Some manufacturers are putting on a 2D to 3D conversion so you could take EastEnders and flick a switch and it converts it to a pseudo 3D, but it's not as good as stuff that's filmed in 3D."
