3D is one of the hottest topics for this year's CES show, regardless whether it is the Panasonic 150-inch 3D plasma display TVs, Samsung's display technology and 3D240 with 3DAMOLED Hz technology. Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, LG and AU Optronics all have 3D products on display. The display industry research firm DisplaySearch predicts that by 2018, the total market shipments for 3D displays will reach 196 million units, that amounts to about $22B billion U.S. dollars in revenue for the manufacturers.

In the just-concluded Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Sony introduced a number of 3D models of LCD TVs that plan to be in the market before the summer. Samsung also introduced the built-in 3D processing and transmitter LCD TVs that supports 3D playback of Blu-ray player and Blu-ray home theater, and a special 3D glasses to match the products. Panasonic not only pushes the concept of 3D television, but also plans to enter 3D plasma TV market; LG Electronics and Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting giant SkyLife are plan to launch a full range of 3D TVs with sales target close to 400,000 units this year. Within a few years, 3D will also appear in far more places than we thought, in addition to Sony's introduction of 3D-compatible notebook, the Acer, Asustek and other companies have plans to introduce 3D display of computer products.

Traditionally, lack of 3D content was a major road block for 3D market adoption. Through partnership with DreamWorks, Samsung Electronics has created a comprehensive 3D industrial value chain to enable home entertainment in 3D. Several movie producers in Hollywood have also said they will continue to develop a large number of 3D content in 2010.

Combining content, manufacturers and related businesses, the 3D imaging industry chain might become one of the next goldmines for consumer electronics makers.

(*image is from terryray_photos)