Despite huge investment by some of the world's biggest audio visual manufacturers and entertainment providers, the take up of 3D TV in the home is set to grow steadily rather than explode in popularity.
Around 25,000 3D TVs were sold in Europe up to May 2010, with the take up of 3D enabled TVs described as sluggish. Although screens with 3D capability had only been on sale for around a month, the figures provided by GfK retail analysts are weaker than the major manufacturers were hoping.
The 3D sales figures point towards a slow and steady increase in the popularity of the new technology, along the same lines as the up take of the High Definition Blu-ray format.
In both cases, consumers cited two broad factors which were dissuading them from taking up the new technology. When consumers were given the opportunity to upgrade to Blu-ray a few years ago, they were unwilling to write off their existing DVD players and collection of regular discs.
In a similar way, consumers with relatively new flat panel TVs are unwilling to invest in expensive 3D technology, which requires a commitment to new TV and 3D enabled Blu-ray players.
Perhaps the biggest stumbling block that both technologies faced was and is the availability of content. Initially, there were very few Blu-ray titles around and the same is true now for 3D titles. Sky's dedicated 3D TV channel is still a few months away.
The big manufacturers are still confident that 3D will succeed, pointing to an explosion of interest in 3D at the cinema and the commitment by many of the big media players to provide 3D content.
Sky have already started to transmit premiership football games in 3D in UK pubs and will launch a dedicated 3D channel towards the end of the year. The big Hollywood studios are planning a expand the amount of 3D film material on Blu-ray over the next few months.
3D gaming is also expected to drive sales with around two thirds of those interested in buying a 3D TV planning to make use of the new technology for gaming.
While 3D has not yet had the impact that some have hoped, the size of investment by the likes of Panasonic, Sony and Samsung in 3D enabled TVs and Blu-ray players should ensure a slow but steady increase in interest.
Crucially, 3D TV reviews have pointed to the extra dimensional experience as a genuine innovation in home entertainment.
If you would like to find out more about 3D TV you might like to read our 3D TV, Cinema & Gaming Guide.
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