Quote Originally Posted by noddin0ff
Mr P, Mr T,

I'm not following yous (the NJ plural) on 'bundling'. I thought that the 3D standard on Blu Ray disks was universal and not brand dependent? Sounds like your saying Avatar can only be viewed 3D on a Panasonic system? That wouldn't make sense.

The set prices I put up were from Amazon and not bundles. I've been browing BestBuy on line. If you click a bunch of stuff, now I get bundles.

Bundle #1 => $1699.97
Samsung 50" 3D (PN50C7000YF) has Samsung apps and stuff, thin
Samsung blu ray (BD-C5900) w/ internet etc..
Samsung Starter kit (SSG-P2100X) - 2 glasses and IMAX 3D Blu-ray Disc "features Mummies, Into the Deep and Galapagos"

Bundle #2 => $1299.98 -- no blu ray player
Samsung 50" 3D (PN50C680G5F) no apps, thicker
Samsung Starter kit (SSG-P2100X) - 2 glasses and IMAX 3D Blu-ray Disc "features Mummies, Into the Deep and Galapagos"

So, add a $200 player and you end up paying an extra $200 for the nicer 50" Plasma. Which in my case doesn't add much that's essential.

compare all the above to the $850 non-3D + ~$200 for blu ray = $1050

The gap narrows to close to $400. Hmmm...tempting. :-)
Sleepy one you are missing the point of bundling. It has nothing to do with the 3D standards on BR disc, but has everything to do with exclusive 3D titles bundled with certain TV sets.

Avatar is a title that EVERY 3DTV set owner wants, but unless you own a Panasonic set, you will not have access to it because it is an exclusive title only offered to a Panasonic purchaser. If a person buys a 3DTV from Samsung, Avatar is not accessible to them until the exclusivity contract to Panasonic is lifted. Sony has done the same thing with their titles from their studio and their sets. Samsung has signed exclusivity deals with film studios as well. All of these exclusives(along with a sluggish economy) is slowing down sales of 3D set, because of the lack of titles available to the open market. IMAX 3D titles are not exclusive to anyone, and I have been buying many of these to fill in the lack of movie titles. Things are starting to ease up a bit, but the Avatar exclusivity goes on till next year, and that is a major bummer for those not interested in purchasing a Panasonic set.