3-D HDTV systems coming to a couch near you

Folks, get ready, because 3-D HD televisions are coming soon. During CES, several companies wowed the crowd with their 3-D HDTV systems—some even did not require glasses. LG, Mitsubishi and Panasonic all plan to release 3-D HDTVs in 2010. (Mitsubishi already sells a line of 3-D-ready TVs overseas. No prices are listed, and they are available only at select retailers.)

Now for the million-dollar question: How will 3-D HDTV programming be delivered? Panasonic tried to leap ahead of the competition when it proposed 3-D HDTV standards to the organizations that create format standards for Blu-ray, HDMI and MPEG. Panasonic hopes to have a standard nailed down, so it can build its 3-D sets in 2010.

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is examining the matter, says Brian Markwalter, CEA spokes-person. CEA expects to have a standards recommendation either at the end of 2009 or early 2010, Markwalter says.