Current 3-D televisions require a pair of 3-D glasses to fully enjoy and take advantage of the 3-D experience at home. These kinds of 3-D glasses (also known as "3-D active glasses") are different than those used to watch a 3-D movie in a theater or to view 3-D picture books and work only with 3-D television sets and not with 3-D picture books or 3-D movies shown in movie theaters.
Typical costs:
While there is a growing number of 3-D television sets out in the market, the more popular brands are Sony, Samsung and Panasonic. But other brands such as LG, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Vizio and Sharp are also entering the marketplace.
The Samsung SSG-2100AB 3-D Active Glasses[1] cost $70. A rechargeable version, the Samsung SSG-2200AR, costs $150.
For Sony 3-D television sets, their battery operated TDG-BR100/B model glasses[2] cost $50.
Panasonic offers the rechargeable Full HD 3-D Eyewear Model Ty-EW3D2LU for $162.
Universal 3-D glasses such as the XpanD Universal 3-D Glasses X013[3] cost about $130. These universal 3-D glasses may not work well with a particular manufacturer's 3-D television set.
A pair of 3-D active glasses is not interchangeable between brands and models. All 3-D glasses for a particular brand do work with all television models within a manufacturer's lineup, meaning the Samsung 3-D glasses will not work with a Sony 3-D television set and vice versa.
The battery operated 3-D glasses come with the glasses, two lithium ion batteries and a cleaning cloth.
The rechargeable 3-D glasses will also include a USB cable to charge the battery inside the glasses.
Additional costs:
While most 3-D televisions include one pair of active 3-D glasses, additional pairs can cost $100-$200 depending on the brand of 3-D glasses that pair with the model television set being used. Note that these 3-D glasses are all battery powered and operated.
If the 3-D glasses are not rechargeable, then batteries will have to be purchased. The batteries normally used are two coin shaped lithium batteries and can vary in type (CR2025 or CR2032). Typically, the battery operated glasses last around 75 to 100 of hours of viewing. Additional batteries will cost around $2 each.
Depending on the 3-D television set and model, additional on 3-D glasses may need to include an additional transmitter. For example, the Sony 3-D Sync Transmitter[4] costs $50.
The glasses may be purchased as part of a complete 3-D home theater, which can cost $2,000-$4,000 or more total.
Discounts:
Most of these brands also offer special "3-D Starter Packages" as well which often includes either additional 3-D glasses and/or a movie as well. Buying one of these packages may offer additional savings than buying the glasses separately.
Samsung offers a Shrek Starter Kit that includes two battery operated 3-D glasses and the first three Shrek movies for $205 at Amazon.
Sony's 3-D Deluxe Starter Kit[5] includes two 3-D active glasses, Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" 3-D Blu-ray, a 3-D Sync Transmitter and a high-speed HDMI cable for $400.
Panasonic's 3-D Ultimate Pack includes an exclusive copy of "Avatar" Blu-ray 3-D disc, two pairs of medium sized active shutter 3-D glasses and two eyewear cases for $360.
Shopping for 3-d glasses:
Store retailers such as Best Buy[6] , Sears[7] and CompUSA[8] offer many of the 3-D glasses mentioned above.
Online retailers such as Amazon[9] and Newegg.com[10] also sell many of these 3-D glasses and packages as well.
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