SOLD OUT: Panasonic 3D TVs

[HyperRealist]

3D TVs: Panasonic out of stock in Best Buy stores

We have some disappointing news if you were planning on making the exciting trip to Best Buy to pick up a Panasonic 3D TV set, as Panasonic has just confirmed that they have already sold out.
As reported from Pocket-Lint, the 3D tvs have only been on sale for a week in the US, but high demand has prompted Panasonic to come out swiftly and tell everyone about the wipeout.

Just like we told you this week, Panasonic were offering customers a 50-inch plasma 3D TV, 3-D Blu-ray player and a set of glasses for $2,899.99.

Money was obviously not an issue in the end for you, as Panasonic gave no details on when more stock will be available.

3D TVs are still not available in the UK, while Samsung are next up to release in the US. Let us know your thoughts on this

http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/...st-buy-stores/

[Doughoef]

I'm waiting to hear the reviews with a particular interest in the rising black level issue before deciding to purchase a 2010 Panny. I am thinking possibly the 54" vt20 series.

[STARSCREAM]

That was fast! I'm anxiously awaiting to see the Vizio 72" beast!

[quetzalcoatl]

My guess is they only did this in limited numbers so they could get a press release just like this.

[Rblu-Dblu]

I hope those who bought this enjoy watching their 1 3d title for a while.

[Hale-Bopp]

Originally Posted by Rblu-Dblu

I hope those who bought this enjoy watching their 1 3d title for a while.

lol, seriously. The 1-year exclusive deal with these tv's is such a joke.

[Blu-Dog]

They shipped very low volume - in fact, they had trouble getting units to the distribution centers, let alone the stores.

I don't expect to see significant quantities of these units for several months. Production takes time to ramp up.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

They shipped very low volume - in fact, they had trouble getting units to the distribution centers, let alone the stores.

I don't expect to see significant quantities of these units for several months. Production takes time to ramp up.

And since there is really no media for them they have time to do it.
Not that there is not some hype about 3D pulling stunts like this is marketing 101. Trying to keep the hype higher.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Rblu-Dblu

I hope those who bought this enjoy watching their 1 3d title for a while.

People seem to forget that the PS3 will be able to render content into 3D. So, all of these people buying 3DTVs will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy 3D gaming once the firmware is released.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

People seem to forget that the PS3 will be able to render content into 3D. So, all of these people buying 3DTVs will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy 3D gaming once the firmware is released.

Most people are buying the bundles, TV and player. Best Buy is pushing bundles at this time.

[Blu-Benny]

nothing quite like paying top dollar for new technollogy!!!

i can honestly wait before i "need" a tv like this.

[Black Dog]

I work at a Best Buy in College Station, TX and we just had a training outlining the company's strategy for 3d television sets. Firstly, Best Buy only expects 3D televisions to make up 1% of total unit sales for this fiscal year. They do however expect to this number to increase exponentially over the next 5 years as the sets become more affordable and the technology is better understood by more of our customers. In fact, the reason for our exclusivity with Panasonic, at least for this model year, is so that customers(and most likely not even buying customers) interested in the technology can experience a high quality demonstration from a non-commissioned sales-person in a controlled environment. Panasonic and Samsung don't expect to sell 1,000,000 units of these this year, but they do expect the technology to be well received by the general public. Another reason why you see exclusivity with Best Buy, and the lack of on-line sales, is to reduce the number of people that buy the television without the 3D blu-ray player or 3D glasses. There are some idiots out there with deep pockets that will return this tv because it doesn't look 3D out of the box without the proper equipment or content. This hurts the bottom-line of Panasonic and Best Buy.
Secondly, our Panasonic rep, told us to expect shortages because this is new technology that doesn't have any market history. Panasonic is not willing to risk its bottom-line this year by producing a ton of these sets, if the market does not readily accept them. Once there is a sales pattern, Panasonic will ramp up production to the appropriate levels, and the product will be more readily available. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the Panasonic and Samsung 3D televisions are also the best 2D televisions from those manufacturers as well, so buying one isn't indicative of early adopter's syndrome, just a propensity for buying the best product on the market, even if you have no immediate plans for 3D.

[spolcyc]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

nothing quite like paying top dollar for new technollogy!!!

i can honestly wait before i "need" a tv like this.

I agree. But I saw a demo at Best Buy and it looked great but I am on the fence about 3D so it will take me awhile to buy into it. And I saw Avatar in 3d and by an hour into the film I had a splitting headache.

[DBlockAllDay]

Saw it today at BB it looked amazing. im definitely going to buy one eventually. The only thing I didn't like was that the glasses were uncomfortable but I definitely want one now and I would buy one but as mentioned, the content isn't widely available

[Propellarhead9]

I'm still trying to decide what TV I want to get for 3D.

[doctorD]

I just saw the Panny 50" 3D demo today at Best Buy and all I can say is...Wow! The picture was awesome! If I was in the market for a TV, that is what I would get especially for only $2499. Not a bad price. And my local BB's actually have them in. I'm actually in the market for a projector.

[davidxiphoid]

I saw the Panny demo today as well and was extremely impressed. Watched a beach volleyball demo, along with an Astroboy preview and some cityscapes all in 3D. On top of the 3D being really good, the 2D was equally impressive.

I'm definitely wanting one, but definitely waiting a few years. I'll wait for the technology to fine tune itself, for the prices to hopefully come down in something bigger than a 50", and of course for more content to be available.

It will take at least a 60" to really appreciate the effect IMO, but I can tell you I could def get used to watching some sports on that thing.

[brettallica]

Does a 3DTV "fake" old school content so that it has some sort of three-dimensional appearance even if the original content wasn't originally designed to display as such?

Like, take an old video game as an example (since I've got retro gaming on my mind lately). Would it "do" anything to the picture when you're in 3D mode; such as give it some kind of depth or layering effects?

[zaxx_1984]

Just went to BB and checked out the PANASONIC and Samsung........i would have to agree that the PANASONIC looked awesome but the Samsung was very lackluster....but it could be the lighting or the video that was playing.....

[jmartinez]

Originally Posted by doctorD

I'm actually in the market for a projector.

Same here, looking for one that doesn't break the bank and very very very affordable PJ. Might have to swing by and check out the panny demo for 3D, i've only seen the Samsung 3D Demo 3x being that they put this guy out where everyone could at least see it. I hope they have the Panny 3D Demo out now...