Like all new technologies, time is on the consumers side when it comes to price. As new features are introduced and offered in the “high end” models, the advanced features of yesterday’s model trickles down in to models lower down the food chain. And sure enough, the prophecy has come to pass. Samsung has just confirmed the PN50C490, which will be the very first 3D capable TV to reach that magic $999 retail price point.
I know it seems like only yesterday the very first 3D capable flat panel TVs hit store shelves, and now… Wait? It pretty much was yesterday. What the heck is going on here?
Samsung’s foray into 3D at a sub $1000 price point this year is an unprecedented move few really saw coming. Compared to other manufacturers of 3D capable flat panel displays, Samsung and Panasonic have been the price leaders by a wide margin, and Samsung’s current plasma TVs are competitive to Panasonic’s.
What does Samsung dropping the bottom out of 3D so fast really mean? Most will make one of two conclusions. It either means their 3D efforts have been super successful, and they believe pushing the 3D price envelope will drive crazy sales this holiday. Or, it means 3D isn’t as successful as they’d like and this is a last ditch attempt to save it.
Personally, I don’t think it’s either. Looking at what the $1000 3DTV is, I’d say it’s something else.