Samsung brings out cheaper 3D glasses, more TV bundles
updated 08:55 am EDT, Wed April 6, 2011
Samsung drops price of 3D glasses and widens deals
Samsung hoped to kickstart adoption of its 2011 3D TVs Wednesday by very aggressively cutting prices and increasing the number of times it gives them for free in bundles. Its SSG-3100GB active shutter glasses are dropping from $130 to $50, making it it inexpensive enough to buy two pairs for less than it cost to buy one. The designer-made, lightweight SSG-3700GR glasses are also getting an undefined price cut.
The price changes should take effect May 1.
Every 2011-era 3D TV should also now come with two sets of 3D glasses if they weren't already included. Samsung had previously had some models with 3D-capable panels but with the glasses excluded to lower the asking price.
Its price slashes weren't explained, but the move may reflect poor adoption of 3D. Nielsen recently showed most Americans avoiding 3D. Pricing has often been cited as the major issue, with 3D TVs either too expensive or 3D glasses being prohibitively expensive for families that have more than two viewers.
Competition is also heating up from those with passive 3D glasses. The cheaper hardware from LG and Vizio can help lower the price of the TV itself but has an even larger impact on the glasses themselves, dropping as low as $10 for a pair of theater-friendly LG glasses.
