This is the year for affordable 3D TV. However, just because you can get a good deal on a new set doesn't mean that you don't deserve a few freebies. Fortunately, there are still plenty of manufacturers out there wanting to hook you up with a little something, just for flipping over into the third dimension.
Several manufacturers are offering bundles, with select 3D purchases. That means if you buy a certain 3D TV, you may be able to get a Blu-ray 3D player, glasses, movies, or possibly all of the above.
Deals come and go very quickly, so if you see something you're interested in, you'd better jump on it. We've scoured the web to find some of the best 3D TV bundles. Read on to find out what your favorite manufacturer is currently offering (as of May 2011).
LG
In the past, there haven't been too many bundles from LG. Now they seem to be making a major push for your 3D dollars. They are currently offering three different deals, on select LG 3D TVs.
To help push passive 3D technology this year, LG is offering a whopping eight pairs of passive 3D glasses with select LG 3D Cinema 3D HDTVs. Remember that these are passive sets, so the glasses are very similar to what you get at your local cineplex. That also means that they won't work with LG's active 3D TVs or any other active 3D TVs, for that matter.
To get the eight pairs of free 3D glasses, you will need to buy one of the two TVs in LG's LW5600 Series (a 47-inch or a 55-inch model). Besides the 3D, both models feature a 1080p 2D image, LED Pluswith local dimming technology, TruMotion 120Hz for smoother moving images, 2D to 3D conversion, DLNA support, and LG's SmartTV service. Both models come with four pairs of passive 3D glasses inside the box, so technically, you are getting a second four pairs for free with this purchase. To get the extra four pairs, you need to add both the TV and the glasses to your shopping cart, then change the quantity of the glasses to two (2) during checkout. (There are two pairs in each pack of glasses.). When you check out, they will come up free! This offer is only good through May 21, 2011, so you'd better be quick! Find out more on Amazon's promotion page:
LG hasn't forgotten about the plasma TV fan, throwing in free 3D glasses with some of those purchases as well. Because these are entry-level active 3D TV sets, they don't come packing any free glasses in the box. That said, if you buy one of the two PW350 Plasma 3D TVs being offered (in both a 42-inch and 50-inch size), you will get two free pairs of active 3D glasses. These are 720p HDTVs, so you can get a 42-incher for just $649.99 and a 50-inch model for $799. Talk about an inexpensive, instant 3D setup! Again, make sure you change the quantity of the glasses to two (2) in your shopping cart. This deal is only good through May 21, so click over to the main promotion page now for more info:
If glasses aren't your bag baby, you can still score something free with an LG purchase. OneCall is currently offering a free LG Blu-ray 3D player with two LW5600 3D LED TVs and two models from the LW6500 3D LED Series. The LW5600 has 47- and 55-inch sizes, with the higher-end LW6500 available in 55- and 65-inch models.
Both lines offer a 1080p 2D image, 2D-to-3D conversion, and DLNA support. The main difference here is that the LW5600 has a 120Hz refresh rate and comes with four pairs of 3D glasses in the box as well as a Wi-Fi adapter. The LW6500 bumps the refresh rate up to 240Hz. It's ready for wireless connectivity, includes the glasses but does not include the adapter in the box. Find out more about each model on their respective OneCall product page:
W5600 Series:
W6500 Series:
Samsung
Samsung still has the exclusive on the Blu-ray 3D Disc of MEGAMIND as well as the Shrek series, as part of Samsung's 3D Starter Kit. That kit is very cool, packing in two pairs of active 3D glasses, the first three Shrek movies on Blu-ray 3D, and mail-in coupons for Shrek Forever After and MEGAMIND on Blu-ray 3D Disc. Amazon is offering this kit, as well as the Samsung BD-D5500 Blu-ray 3D Player free with select Samsung 3D LED TV purchases.
A total of six models are eligible for this offer, including the UN46D7000, UN55D7000, UN46D7900, UN55D7900, UN46D8000, and UN55D8000. Just add the TV, the Blu-ray 3D player and the kit into your shopping cart; the discount will be applied during checkout. The offer is good through June 4, 2011. Find out more about each model and this deal on Amazon's promotion page:
OneCall has two very similar deals going for Samsung. They are offering the same BD-D5500 Blu-ray 3D player and the same 3D starter kit with the same six 3D LED TVs. Again, the models being offered here are the UN46D7000, UN55D7000, UN46D7900, UN55D7900, UN46D8000, and UN55D8000. The deadline on this is also June 4, 2011, so click over to OneCall to do some comparison shopping:
If you are a plasma fan, there's a deal to be had as well. OneCall is offering the 3D Starter Kit with the purchase of one of three plasmas. Know that this deal does not include a Blu-ray 3D player. However, you can get two pairs of active 3D glasses and all of the movies with the purchase of Samsung's PN51D6500, PN51D7000, or PN51D8000. All three are 51-inch TVs with a 1080p image in both 2D and 3D modes. This deal is also good through June 4, 2011. Find out more on OneCall's website:
Panasonic
If you've already got the 3D TV, the next logical step would be a Blu-ray 3D player. If you've been holding out, Panasonic offers some excellent 3D-compatible players this year, including the DMP-BDT110 that we reviewed last month and the BDT210 and BDT310 which are currently in pur labs. Panasonic also still has an exclusive (until 2012) on the 3D version of Avatar, which you can get absolutely free with the purchase of any of Panasonic's current Blu-ray 3D players or Blu-ray home theater systems.
All you need to do is buy a Panasonic Blu-ray 3D player from an authorized dealer (yes, Amazon is an authorized dealer) and send in the rebate form, receipt and UPC code to receive your Avatar 3D disc by mail. Qualifying models include the DMP-BDT110, DMP-BDT210 or DMP-BDT310 Blu-ray players, as well as the SC-BTT270, SC-BTT370, and the SC-BTT770 Blu-ray 3D home theater systems. This offer is expected to be available through February 29, 2012, but pricing may change so if you see a good price on these, then snag one while they have it:
Just remember that some of the above bundles may require you to add more than one item into your shopping cart. Also, Amazon's deals are only good on purchases made directly through Amazon (with Amazon.com as the seller), and not any of its third-party merchants. Bundles and sale prices are usually only good while supplies last, so make sure to check the details of each deal before you make your final purchase. And remember to read ALL of the fine print, as well as check your shopping cart for discounts before you complete each order.
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