I currently have a Sony WEGA KD-36XS955 CRT HDTV and while I enjoy the PQ I get, I'm tired of moving its 236 lbs when I change locations (which seems to happen about every year). I'm considering the switch to a plasma and the Panasonic P54V10 is at the top of my list, however after some reading I hear that panasonic will start releasing 3D TVs next year.

My question is do you think it'll be worth it to wait to see Panasonics 3D offerings or get the 54V10? When are new sets usually released?

I'm planning to move this summer (hopefully into a house this time so the stay will be more permanant) and would rather not lug my 236lb set with me.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

3D technology will take a while to evolve. I never buy first generation products. That is just me :) . Not that we have enough 3D contents.

it will not be worth the wait.

Yeah, I've considered waiting for the next gen Panasonic plasma or buying the 54v10 now. I've decided to buy one now rather than wait.

I'm less interested in 3D than I am in the lower power consumption, lower weight, potentially better internet services, and potentially better color settings and contrast ratios of the next generation Panasonic plasmas (they say "infinite" contrast ratio with their next gen panel, which probably isn't true).

Thing is, you'd have to wait until late 2010, I think, before the new Panasonic plasmas come out. And I heard it will only be 50" sets, nothing more than that planned right now. I could be wrong.

I expect the prices for the new 3D models to be significantly higher than current prices. I don't know what it will cost, but I suspect it will be around $3500 minimum for the first 50" set with 3D. I wouldn't be surprised if prices were actually in the $5000 ballpark, due to the fact that they're not only doing 3D but also a much better panel with "infinite" contrast ratios and a much thinner case.

The good news will be that once they hit the market, the 54v10 will come down in price. But you'll have to wait a year from now.

The 3D capability seems very gimmicky to me. There won't be a lot of programming for this for at least the next few years or so. And you have to wear those awkward glasses and have a pair for every single person in the room (at $100 a pair perhaps?). You'll also have to sit closer to the TV than maybe you want in order to get the full effect.

Another thing to consider is the problem with 1st generation technologies. Wait till the 2nd or 3rd generation before adopting any new technology. By then they'll have most of the bugs worked out.

I for one can leave it for now. And I actually don't think it will catch on. If it does catch on in the (3, 4, or 5) years to come, then that might be the time to worry about it. And by then, probably there will be 3rd party vendors selling cheap glasses and converter boxes to allow it to work with your current non-3D TV.

- Steve

I say buy the 54V10 . Too early to think about getting a 3D Plasma. I think maybe in 3 years or so might be worth a look. But first models will be pricey and not nearly as good as later models. Plus their is very limited 3D Content right now. JMO

I could care less about 3D. Plus they will probably be pricey anyways. Id get the V10 and be happy with it.

There will be 3D sets next year, no doubt. They will cost a premium to other sets from the same brands that otherwise are at least as good in PQ (there is always a chance the 3D tech may mess with standard PQ until they perfect the tech). And you will find very, very little 3D content for several years at least. So the question is are you interested enough in the small subset of 3D you will be able to view to pay more for something that will benefit probably 1 percent of your total vieiwng time in the near future? If so, go for it. If not, don't worry about it.

I plan to wait until next year’s HDTV releases to decide about 3D, partially because the enabling technology has the potential to improve the PQ of 2D as well. At least that appear to be the case for the Panansonics.

I am worried that there might be a format war between "FULL 3D" that Panasonic is pushing and the other types from Sony, LG, Sam etc.... Also there is a Laser TV that uses polarized glasses instead of the shutter type.

I am also in the market for an AVR but plan to wait until an HDMI 1.4 capable unit is around regardless if I pull the trigger on a 3D TV / BD player. In "theory" it would provide a better upgrade path if 3D ever becomes mainstream.

I plan to wait until next year’s HDTV releases to decide about 3D, partially because the enabling technology has the potential to improve the PQ of 2D as well. At least that appear to be the case for the Panansonics.


Based on what? I have seen Panasonic's 3D sets demoed a couple times now this year and there was no improvement in PQ noticable over their non-3D prototype sets.

Hasn't 3D been a gimmick for years? This seems like more of the same.

I've seen a few of the demo's of '3D' tv's on youtube and, granted I wasn't physically there, it looked like crap.

It's a gimmick, IMO.

Buy now. You'll never be able to keep up with the technology. If you wait until next year, the following year will sound even better so you may want to wait for that. You could go your entire life without ever buying a TV, because the next years model will be so great!

^^Agreed.

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll pick up a 54V10 and wait a bit on the 3D. I'll probably wait to see if there are any good Black Friday deals on them though :)

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll pick up a 54V10 and wait a bit on the 3D. I'll probably wait to see if there are any good Black Friday deals on them though :)

By the way you will have to wait for 54V10 as well :D I think Panasonic is struggling to meet the demand.