Top 5 3D TVs of 2011


The Gadget Show  Friday 30 December 2011


This year was the year that 3D televisions invaded the home. At the turn of the year 3D TVs may have been much pricier, but lowering costs have seen hundreds appear in stores and in front rooms across the country. TV-loving gadget fans have never had it so good.

With so many wonderful 3D TVs to choose, we’ve picked out just five of the best. In no particular order, here’s our top 5 3D TVs of 2011.

We’ve gone for 3D TVs of different sizes and budgets. So if you don’t find the one for you, why not use our pick as a guideline to find one thats suits your needs.

Samsung 40C8000 3D LED TV

Whether it is switched on or off, this TV from Samsung’s 8000 series is one of the most gorgeous around. It’s a slim LED 3D TV that is beautifully designed. It comes with a trendy metal stand, but it can also be hung on a wall. The Samsung C8000’s online capabilities give access to Internet services such as LOVEFiLM, Facebook and Twitter. Plug in a Freetalk TV camera and you’ll even be able to make Skype video calls face-to-face in HD.

Panasonic TX-P55VT30



This monster of a 3D TV comes in at 52-inches, and one of Panasonic’s best televisions. Panasonic’s Infinite Black Pro technology ensures that even the darkest of pictures have the best clarity possible. Four HDMI inputs are more than enough for a couple of games consoles and a Blu-ray player. It even comes with a pair of 3D active-shutter glasses included. At around £2,000, it’s a bit on the pricey side, but considering the size and quality, it’s still one of the best around.

LG 42LW650T

For something a little cheaper that won’t break the piggy bank, the LG 42LW650T is a 42- inch full HD LED TV available for around £750 from a number of retailers. It s performance may not quite match televisions costing three times as much, but for a large TV that offers a route into 3D viewing, the LG 42LW650T is worth a look. Four HDMI ports to plug in other HD devices, USB and online services make it a neat entry level 3D all-rounder.

Sony KDL-40NX713

Sony make some corking television sets, and this is no exception. The Sony KDL-40NX713 is a 40-inch 3D compatible LED TV that can display full high definition 1080p video. It comes with the ability to browse the web via Wi-Fi and has a built-in tuner for Freeview HD viewing. Pictures quality is top-notch, and the set itself looks great. The Sony KDL-40NX713 has a listed price of £1,000, but look around and you could get it for around £900, which for a 3D TV of this size and quality isn’t bad at all.

Samsung LE40C750



Like the LG television in our picks, this Samsung 3D offering delivers third-dimension viewing at a low price in comparison to some of the other TVs you’ll find in stores. It has Freeview HD reception, four HDMI inputs and USB sockets for sharing pictures from a memory stick with the TV. Pictures and colour quality look great at all times. For around £850 for a 40-inch TV it’s a bit of a bargain.