subject: 3dtv Details - The Samsung Ue40c7000 [print this page] The Samsung UE40C7000 is the first 3D TV set to be made available to the UK public. Samsung finally beat the competition, with Sony, Panasonic and LG having 3DTV sets ready for release later in the year. The 40-inch UE40C7000 is now on sale at various electrical retailers across the country priced at approximately 1,800. John Lewis reported that their Oxford Street shop was the first ever place a 3DTV was sold in the UK. However, there are many online retailers now selling the Samsung, so there is some choice in the market. At 1,800, the TV isn't cheap, but considering that it also functions as a "Full High Definition" 1080p television, the price is not a massive premium for the additional ability to watch TV in 3D.
While there isn't a huge amount of content available yet for the Samsung UE40C7000 to display, it is coming soon with the future offerings of the Sky 3D channel which will show sporting matches such as Premiership football, boxing and other events. The BBC have previously trialled the showing of 3D rugby, so there may be some 3D content available from the BBC soon. There's also 3D coming soon to Sony's Playstation 3 games console which is getting a firmware update in the near future. Games already have the additional "z axis" information coded into them, so getting games converted to 3D should be a lot easier than changing movies or live TV. There's also movie content coming soon on Blu Ray 3D with the anticipated release of Avatar and other films in the near future.
Of course, to watch the Sky content you'll need to pay month for their top-package called Sky World. For the 3D game content you'll need a PS3 with the firmware upgraded, and for the Blu Ray 3D content you'll need a Blu Ray 3D player, which could actually be your Playstation 3, or a standalone Blu Ray 3D set-top box.
In addition to the playback devices, you'll need to buy a pair of 3D glasses because the Samsung UE40C7000 doesn't come with any. As the glasses can cost 60 per pair, if you have a large family that's going to be a large additional expense. However, when you get to see Avatar or another cinema blockbuster at home in 3D or see your team score a penalty kick in 3D, you'll likely be happy with the value of stepping into the third dimension!
