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If you want 3-D TV, Consumer Reports says go plasma screen

Testers at Consumer Reports' labs checked out 3-D products, including video games and laptops.

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RALEIGH, N.C. - Watching 3-D isn't just about sports on television or movies. The technology is making its way into all kinds of products.

Testers at Consumer Reports' labs checked out 3-D products, including video games and laptops.

As far as laptops go, testers found that the effects weren’t very exciting on the Acer 3-D laptop. The viewing angle was also found to be very limited.

Testers said Fuji’s FinePix Real 3-D point-and-shoot camera, which costs about $600, showed much more promise. The camera shoots photos and videos.

“It's really cool that you can watch 3-D video on this camera without needing to wear special glasses. But you have to shoot it horizontally, not vertically,” Consumer Reports’ Terry Sullivan said.

But Consumer Reports suggests skipping the camera's optional $500 3-D digital frame, which allows viewers to watch videos and photos in 3-D on an 8-inch display without special glasses. Testers found the double images it created were tough on the eyes.

The latest 3-D TVs tested included a 63-inch plasma from Samsung and a 40-inch Sony LCD.

Consumer Reports engineers said they saw big differences in performance.

"So far, we're finding that plasma is a better technology for 3-D. And when it comes to screen size, bigger is definitely better for 3-D's immersive experience with movies and video games,” said Jim Wilcox of Consumer Reports.

Testers recommended two high-end 3-D TVs, both from Panasonic – the VT-20 and VT-25.

The TVs cost about $2,500 and require special glasses, which cost more than $100 a pair. Viewers will also need to purchase a 3-D Blu-ray player to view movies, which run between $200 and $400.

(Story from WRAL.com)

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