3D TV Setup and Networking Available From BestBuy’s Geek Squad

BestBuy now offers full 3D TV setup and networking of your new 3D television as part of their service offerings.  They’ve put together a comphrehensive installation package that retails for $149.99.  Recent feedback suggests that BestBuy employees are not the most technically adept folk on the planet when it comes to answering questions about 3D technology.  Perhaps you can benefit from this new service, but please don’t rely on any technical expertise from their employees.  Do your own research and hang out at www.review3dtv.com and you’ll be just fine.

Geek Squad® – 3D TV Setup and Networking (Existing)

Service Highlights

• Set up newly purchased 3D TV
• Connect up to 5 components in 1 room (e.g., Blu-ray player, gaming system)
• Neatly dress exposed wires
• Program the basic functions of a manufacturer-supplied remote
• Add and configure up to 2 wireless components to an already established wireless network
• Network up to 2 components (e.g., TV, Blu-ray player or home theater system)
• Sync up to four 3D glasses and ensure proper function
• Perform a diagnostic, ensure all equipment works properly and demonstrate how to use

Product Features

• Our installation professionals will:
• Conduct a pre-installation details walk-through upon arrival at your home
• Additional charges for any required add-ons will be quoted by the installer prior to any work being done.
• Unpack and connect your newly purchased TV to a single source such as existing cable, antenna, or satellite signal
• Unpack and connect your newly purchased video components in 1 room
• Includes VCR, DVD, Blu-ray and/or gaming system.
• Drill access holes as needed for wiring within cabinets
• Ensure that all exposed wires and cabled are neatly dressed, using wire ties as needed
• Program the basic functions of your remote control devices
• Includes setting up factory-supplied universal remote control with the proper coeds to control multiple components, as per factory specifications.
• Enable V-Chip (parental control) functionality and instruct you on its use, if desired
• Connect up to 2 digital TV converter boxes
• Add and configure up to 2 wireless components to an already established wireless network
• Network up to 2 components, which can include TV, Blu-ray, TiVo, Slingbox or receiver
• Sync up to four 3D glasses and ensure proper installation
• Perform a diagnostic and provide you with the ability to stream media to televisions, home theater equipment, etc.
• Clean up work area and dispose of boxes, packaging materials and installation debris
• Provide an educational demonstration of the new system and components
• Approximate time: 2 hrs.
• Note: TV recycling is FREE with your purchase of this Geek Squad® home theater service. At the time of your service appointment, we’ll remove and properly dispose of 1 TV that you designate, at no charge to you.

The following are not included with this service:

• New setup of DVR, TiVo, Slingbox or any networked type video components
• Speaker and/or receiver setup
• Programming or universal-type learning remote
• Holes drilled, wires hidden within walls or any type of custom in-wall wiring
• Run and conceal Cat-5 cable
• Custom Cat-5 cable run must be added.
• Set up and configure a new wireless network

Important scheduling information:

• When we validate your order, we’ll mail you a card containing contact information for your convenience.
• You will receive a confirmation e-mail when we ship this card. We’ll call you within 72 hours of this shipping confirmation to schedule your appointment.
• Product delivery and Geek Squad Installation may not occur on the same day.
• Additional charges may be required for land travel beyond installation coverage areas.
• Service returns cannot be accepted after installation services are completed. See Terms & Conditions.
• For other questions, or to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call 1 800 GEEK SQUAD (1-800-433-5778).
• Don’t forget to reschedule your installation if you reschedule your product delivery date.

If you have any questions about their 3D TV installation service, contact BestBuy’s Geek Squad directly.

Sony Will Launch 3D TV in Japan in June 2010

Japan will be one of the first countries to have Sony’s 3D product lineup.  Although several new 3D TV models will be launched there this summer, we are unsure how well sales will be.  Considering the additional cost of 3D technology, are Japanese 3D fans going to rush out to buy one?

A 46-inch 3D screen will cost around 350,000 yen ($3,898; £2,608), 52% more expensive than a regular Sony flatscreen television.

Sony hopes to “liberate 3D from the confines of movie theatres,” says senior vice-president Yoshihisa Ishida.

The success of 3D films like Avatar, which won three Oscars on Sunday, has boosted hopes that 3D television could take off.

Widespread Launches Announced

Panasonic will begin selling 3D televisions in the US from Wednesday, in co-operation with electronics store Best Buy.

Samsung and LG are already selling 3D televisions and expect to launch their products in the UK and Europe over the next couple of months.

Included with the Sony television will be two pairs of special glasses and a camera sensor that will adjust sound and picture quality depending on where you sit.

The glasses cost around 12,000 yen each time you need an extra set.

They operate on an “active shutter principle” and present slightly different images to each eye, which Sony claims will provide realistic depth and crisp pictures.

ESPN, the sports network owned by Walt Disney, plans to launch a 3D sports channel this summer.

Early adopters might also be motivated by playing computer games – many of which are inherently three dimensional.

‘Barriers to growth’
But in a downturn will consumers pay for fancy features like 3D?

“I’m not very optimistic about 3D TV as it is today, I see more negatives than positives,” says Fernando Elizalde, from research firm Gartner.

“The biggest barriers to growth in 3D TV are the lack of content, the inconvenience of wearing glasses and that millions of consumers have only just upgraded to high-definition sets.”

“Sony has one advantage: it has arms that make TV sets, produce content and make filming equipment.”

Sony Betting Big on 3D TV

Sony has ambitious growth forecasts for 3D set sales.

It wants to sell 25 million liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions in the financial year April 2010 to March 2011, and hopes 10% of these will be 3D.

They will be hoping for a rush of orders before Japan’s analogue TV signal is turned off in July 2011.

Sony is betting big on 3D. Its president, Sir Howard Stringer, calls it “the next great consumer experience”.

The firm has implemented a programme of restructuring, cutting costs, reducing the number of manufacturing sites from 57 in December 2008 to 45 by May 2010.

Nevertheless in February, Sony said it expected to make a net loss of 70bn yen in the financial year ending March 2010. In the previous financial year it made a loss of of 98.9bn yen.