Samsung launches 3D LED TV in South Africa

The new technology will be available in retail stores nationwide at the end of this month, Corrie Labuschagne, Samsung Electronics SA TV product manager, told journalists. The launch took place yesterday, Wednesday 31 March 2010, at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Output

Samsung LED 9000

‘Deep-pocket' customers will this month be able to buy 3D-enabled 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch LED C7000 sets, with the remaining models - LED 8000 and 9000 series, LCD 750 series, and Plasma 7000/8000 series - will be launched in the coming months. It's estimated that a 40-inch LED TV set will cost between R18000 and R19000.

Samsung's new Plasma TV's 7000 series include a model built-in 3D processor.

This is the new and upgraded model. “We have reduced the heat associated with the old models, took out the glass screen and put in a ‘film screen' - a very thin one - to add a new dimension to Plasma TV viewing,” Mike Chu, Samsung SA strategic director, told Bizcommunity.com.

Starter kit

Labuschagne also said everyone who buys a 2010 Samsung 3D TV and 3D Blu-ray player or a home theatre system will receive a 3D starter kit, which includes two pairs of 3D active glasses and a feature length 3D Blu-ray of DreamWorks Animation's 2009 release, Monsters vs Aliens.

During the second half of 2010, the Shrek series will also be available in 3D Blu-ray. Big families who cannot share the two pairs of 3D glasses will have to purchase more at the cost of between R800 and R1000 per pair.

No regular 3D broadcasting

However, following intensive discussions between Samsung and MultiChoice, it has transpired that the broadcaster does not yet have the capacity to transmit in 3D.

“For now, that is out of the question. It is too expensive and complex. Local consumers would have to wait up to two years or so before this becomes reality in South Africa,” a source told Bizcommunity.com last night.

But Samsung SA said all the Chelsea FC games and Indian Premier League (cricket) games will be recorded in 3D and made available to SA viewers.

More 3D movies

The company's recent alliance with DreamWorks' Animation SKG 3D TV means more 3D material will be accessible to SA consumers.

Bizcommunity.com understands that many major film studios in the US are working hard to make 3D content, a clear indication that a new era is about to dawn in the cinema industry whereby cinema-goers might begin to watch all the movies in 3D.

Samsung said it will launch a high profile marketing campaign that will include TV ads to educate SA consumers on the 3D value.

Go to www.samsung.com.