Since the CES this year the new generation of 3D televisions is a big hype. Do they really keep what they promise and are these new televisions worth buying?

After the gigantic success of the Hollywood production “Avatar” in cinemas around the world, many manufacturers of TVs presented the next generation of home entertainment at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, the 3D TV.

Really new? You may remember watching pseudo 3D movies with your DVD disc player and anaglyph red and blue plastic glasses, but this technology is totally different and absolutely comparable with the viewing experience in 3D cinemas.

What’s needed? First of all you need a 3D ready TV, Samsung was the first to release this new technology in their 2010 Plasma, LED and LCD TV series. The normal television image isn’t different, the image quality isn’t better or worse than with a non-3D TV, but combined with a 3D Blu-Ray player, active 3D shutter glasses and a 3D Blu-Ray disc player you can have the amazing Avatar viewing experience right in your living room.

Pros and Cons? 3D movies simply look stunning, it’s real fun to watch them and far more intense than any “normal” movie. The technology works perfectly, the active shutter glasses don’t cause aching eyes like the old red and blue ones often did. The only negative point is the price. You don’t only have to buy a new TV, which isn’t relly cheap, but a 3D ready Blu-Ray disc player and the glasses as well. The number of available 3D Blu-Rays is pretty small at the moment, but the number will be growing rapidly in 2010. It’s a future proof technology, many big studios and manufacturers are jumping on the 3D train, so you can be sure your money is invested very well.

Sam Stark is a tech blogger from Miami. Recommended 3D TVs you should have a look at are the Samsung PN63C8000 and the Samsung UN55C8000.