Panasonic has already increased its 3D television production by 30 per cent, being encouraged by the general public, after US demand for 3D sets exceeded its expectations when they went on sale in March.

The Panasonic plasma panel factory works at full capacity and they increased 3D panel production by 30 per cent compared to our original plan. Panasonic is hoping that business will embrace the technology as well as the entertainment industry.

The major television manufacturers have been quick to embrace the new technology – seizing on a prime opportunity to push a new generation of television sets to a public still coming to terms with HD. TV makers hope to ride the wave of interest in 3D initiated by the box office success of James Cameron's Avatar. They are not alone, with entertainment content producers like movie studios and, particularly in the UK, Sky television racing to produce enough content to fulfil demand.