Next Up in 3D TV: Panasonic

Last week, Samsung introduced the first 3D televisions to market (despite the fact that there’s no 3D content yet available), and there’ll soon be some competition. On Wednesday, Panasonic will follow in Samsung’s footsteps and introduce its own 50-inch 3D model in the U.S. The new television will retail for $2,500 and will be available at Best Buy. Panasonic and Best Buy will be jointly marketing the new 3D offering, with Best Buy reserving a special part of its showroom floor for customers to view and try the 3D sets.

Unlike other 3D manufacturers, Panasonic will use plasma technologies in its televisions. The company hopes to sell 500,000 3D models in the U.S. its first year in the market.

So assuming you didn’t go out and drop bank on Samsung’s sets yet (which I doubt many people did), you’ll now have some comparative shopping in the 3D market. [via Reuters]