How to Estimate the Price of a 3-D TV Setup

Dying for a 3-D TV? There's more to it than just buying a new set. Gauge how much you'll pay with these guidelines.

Step 1: Start with the price of the TV Start with the price of a 3-D TV: because 3-D works best on a big screen, 3-D TVs are only available in screens 40 inches and larger. The advanced technology means that 3-D TVs cost as much as 40 percent more than their 2-D counterparts.
Step 2: Factor in the glasses Factor in the cost of glasses; you can't watch 3-D sets without them, and not all TVs come with them. Glasses cost about $150 a pair. And don't forget glasses for your friends and family.
TIP: Glasses that you buy for one 3-D TV brand won't work with a TV made by a different manufacturer.
Step 3: Throw in a Blu-ray player Throw in the cost of a new Blu-ray player, too, if yours is outdated. 3-D TVs require HDMI 1.4, and audiovisual equipment sold before 2009 uses version 1.3 or lower.
TIP: Don't pay extra for 3-D-ready HDMI cables; your current cables will work.
Step 4: Consider the cost of content Consider the cost of content: some cable providers charge extra for 3-D channels.
Step 5: Weigh the cost of waiting Weigh the cost of having 3-D right now. Prices are likely to fall in the next few years.
FACT: The first full-length 3-D feature shown to a paying audience was 1922's The Power of Love.