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Just over half the country has made the switch to a high definition television set -- but even then they won't have the latest in TV technology. That will come tomorrow, on March 26th, 2010 when the first 3D TV sets go on sale.

The first batch of 3D TVs in the U.S. sold out within days and manufacturers are expecting a similar response here in Canada.

The Oscar winning special effects and visual impact in James Cameron's "Avatar" made it the highest grossing film in the world and showed there is a major appetite for 3D in film which the industry believes will translate also to television programs, sporting events and video games.

What will be available now will show we have come a long way from the 1950s and those red-and-blue paper 3D glasses of yesteryear. Now, the technology that was once limited to the silver screen is being brought to the small screen right in your living room.

Robert Gumiela, the Director of Marketing for Samsung Electronics Canada told Â鶹´«Ã½ that "We are first to market in Canada with 3D TVs available to the public."

He says people need to know that 3D TVs also operate as regular top quality TV sets.

"To start with a 3D TV is a normal television, but they are the best of the best TV's that you can watch normal television programs on it" said Gumiela. He adds: "The 3D functionality will allow you to take advantage of a 3D Blue Ray player and a Blu Ray player but as well if you so choose our televisions come with a very sophisticated up conversion technology.

With up-conversion you could be watching Canada AM, put on your 3D glasses and select 2D to 3D conversion and watch Canada AM in 3D." This is known in the industry as up-converted 3D or fake 3D. Gumiela says: "This allows you to emulate a 3D effect because of the way that digital and high definition televisions work and provide you with a fairly decent 3D representation even though it's not a native 3D source."

When cable and satellite provider eventually do start providing 3D content -- then you will also need to upgrade to a 3D set top box as well to process the 3D picture to give it the true characteristics of a true 3D broadcast. Gumiela says: "We at Samsung believe that 3D is going to be extremely popular -- the future of all video and film production -- so we see an accelerated adoption of 3D."

Key Points:

• Samsung will initially sell five models in 40", 46" and 55" inch sizes
• The cheapest set is $2,499 while the most expensive is $3,999. It costs close to $3,000 for its 46-inch screen, a Blu-ray player and two pairs of 3D glasses (additional glasses cost $250 each)
• Futureshop and Best Buy will carry the 3D TVs across the country starting tomorrow after the launch
• Samsung also plans to later start selling other plasma models including a 50" for $2,400 and a 63" for $4,100
• Sony was the first major manufacturer to announce its global plans for 3D TV but a spokeswoman could only say that the 3D TVs will be available in Canada this summer
• Panasonic has started selling its 3D TVs in the United States (costing about $2,900 US for a 50-inch screen, one pair of glasses and a 3D Blu-ray player). Their models are not yet available in Canada
• Futureshop and Best Buy currently only offer three 3D Blu-ray titles (My Bloody Valentine 3D, Under the Sea 3D and Monsters vs. Aliens 3D) which require a new compatible 3D Blu-ray player. Samsung's player sells for $400
• Some 3D TV displays will contain 3D Up conversion capabilities (sometimes called 3D Interpolation). This advanced video processing will automatically analyze and up convert 2D content into "fake 3D"