Best 3D Television CES 2012

3D Technology focuses by Manufacturer at CES 2012

by Robert Wiley and Jack Burden, senior editors

Though the Passive 3D manufacturers were out in force at CES 2012, their active 3D counterparts still take the quality awards in general. Vizio and LG are trying hard to convince us that Passive 3D is better, while Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung have Active 3D technology down. Toshiba is on the fence and showing their glasses-free 3D Televisions in force and planning to ship them later this year. Sharp is not focusing on 3D at all though several of their TVs have active 3D capability. The company is more focused on the size of their LED Televisions offerings and related value. One new development in the active 3D world is that all BluTooth eyeware 3D glasses are universal – meaning you can now purchase 3D glasses from any of the active 3D manufacturers and use them with any 3D active TV.

1st Place

Samsung PN60E8000 Plasma Active 3D

Although there is not a lot of difference between the high end plasma 3D offerings and the high end LED 3D Televisions we prefer plasma for its better color. Those super bright LED lights are not as important either with 3D. Samsung's new light 3D glasses have no flicker or blurring and I did not even notice any reflection on the inside of the glasses from in-room light. This was one of the only faults we could find in 2011 with Samsung's active 3D TVs. The picture quality is excellent, deep, involving, and the best of what 3D has to offer.

Tie for 2nd

Panasonic TC-P60GT50 Plasma Active 3D

The TC-P60GT50 plasma is Panasonic's 2nd tier plasma for 2012 but it has the best Infinite black Ultra panel for 2012. We could have listed the VT50 just as easily in this spot, but the GT50 has a better price point so we chose it. The 3D picture performance is just as good as the Samsung listed above in all regards, but we preferred the Samsung glasses over the Panasonic for their sleeker, lighter, sexier appearance. Colors are rich and vibrant, 3D picture depth is excellent and 3D viewing from all angles is exceptional.

Tie for 2nd

Sony KDL55HX850 LED backlit LCD Active 3D

We spend a good deal of time viewing the HX850 and the HX929 series from Sony with 3D content. The picture is extremely fluid and smooth and there are just no hiccups. We viewed the upcoming Men in Black and Smurf 3D movie in the active shutter 3D and the glasses are super comfortable, the colors very true without being over-hyped and the depth is great. Sony is making great TVs again in their top end lines HX series.

Honorable Mention

LG 55LM9600 LED Television Passive 3D

We'll give LG some credit here for having produced a lot of very good looking Televisions with the Cinema Screen "window" effect. The super thin bezel is impressive and certainly makes anything on screen look impressive. The LED plus localized dimming works well and 3D looks great with a very smooth quality and with excellent color.