[Korea Times]

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GfK, the world’s fourth-largest market organization, expects more than 50 million 3D sets will be sold throughout next year from an estimated 20 million this year, enough that 20 percent of the global flat-screen market will be 3D TVs.

Still, the lack of 3D-customized content is an issue, however GfK believes people will be able to benefit much more from 3D next year because they now realize what 3D means.

Asian television majors, such as Samsung, LG Electronics and Sony, as well as leading Chinese such makers from TCL to Hisense, have filled their booths with 3D features.

“I think 3D televisions are being driven as much by consumer desire as by the major TV manufacturers and the market should be the `it’ one that they should not lose. It’s good to see that 3D is getting familiar,’’ said Matt Dickenson, a visitor to the IFA from the United States.

And GfK believes LG Electronics-developed film-based 3D technology will lead the way because it is much simpler and cheaper than the Samsung-backed battery-powered 3D technology.

“We expect that in the future film-based 3D technology will have a much stronger share than the active version,’’ said Juergen Boyny, global director consumer electronics at GfK retail and technology, during a press conference at the IFA.

“Because the glasses are cheaper, there is a much lower investment by the consumer. What we are seeing is that 3D at home is a communal thing with people tending to watch the film or the show in a family group or inviting friends round and that’s why polarized 3D becomes a very attractive proposition.’’

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“Although we are definitely waiting for glasses-free 3D TV, that’s not going to happen in the next three or four years due to higher manufacturing costs and lower marketability,’’ said an executive from Samsung Electronics.

Toshiba of Japan has exhibited the world’s first glasses-free 3D TV.

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Read the full story here: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2011/09/129_94260.html