Panasonic teams up with Best Buy to launch 3-D TV

Launched in U.S. on Wednesday, Panasonic's 3-D aims to sell 1 million 3-D televisions by fiscal year March 31, 2011. Panasonic plans to launch the TV in the Japanese market on April 23.

Panasonic’s president, Fumio Ohtsubo, told reporters he expects TV business to return to profit soon. The television market, which was highly affected since the recession, has been facing continuous losses. Analysts also predict losses for current fiscal year (ending 2010).

Panasonic’s deal with Best Buy
Under the new deal, Panasonic will create a 3-D DVD assemblage of famous scenes from popular movies, which Best Buy will show it at various stores.

Osaka-based Panasonic said Best Buy will set up displays of 3-D televisions in over 1000 stores nationwide. However, officials of Best Buy were not available for comment.

Panasonic, which plans to sell a 50-inch 3-D model for $2,500, will also be facing stiff competition from electronic makers Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Sony Corp in the coming year.

The HDGuru report cited a source which claimed that Samsung 3D TVs and Blu-ray players will also be demonstrated at Best Buy stores from this month.

In addition, Japanese daily Nikkei was cited by Reuters as saying that the new tie up could include exhibition corners demonstrating the products. Also, a 3-D Blu-ray release of the movie, ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’, is expected to be advertised with 3D glasses.

Best Buy Chief Executive Officer Brian Dunn has said in January that the company was looking at 3D glasses as an accessory prospect.

Popularity of 3-D market
The latest popularity of 3-D has pushed electronics makers to introduce new televisions and Blu-ray players to promote 3-D.

According to research firm DisplaySearch, global shipments of televisions capable of viewing 3-D video are predicted to grow at 1.2 million units in 2010. In 2013, the shipments are forecasted to rise to 15.6 million units. The number was only 200,000 in 2009.