Los Angeles – Consumer awareness of 3D-capable TVs has risen to
more than 80 percent since March, the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG)
reported.
According to research from the Hollywood-based trade group, awareness
of Blu-ray 3D players has also increased, to nearly 60 percent of consumers,
over the same period.
Thirty-percent of the more than 5 million HDTVs expected to be
sold between now and mid-January will be 3D-capable, DEG said, and 80 percent
of consumers intending to buy a 3D TV would also purchase a Blu-ray 3D player, the
research showed.
The DEG also cited data from U.K.-based FutureSource Consulting showing
that U.S. 3D TV sales are on track to comprise 4.5 percent of all flat-panel TVs
sold this year.
“The stars are aligning for home 3D this holiday season,” said
Kris Brown, worldwide high-def market expansion VP for Warner Home Video and
chair of the DEG’s 3D Working Group.
3DTVs are selling at a faster clip than HDTV in their debut
period, he said, and nearly 40 Blu-ray 3D titles will be available at retail by
the end of the year, making 3D hardware a doorbuster item for Black Friday.
The titles, along with a number of 3D broadcast channels and an
estimated 25 upcoming 3D video games, represent more than 1,000 hours of 3D
programming that will be available over the next 12 months, the DEG said.
