Multisystem 3D LED and LCD TV

Step 1 (required): To watch any content in 3D (such as 3D Blu-ray movies or 3D cable or satellite channels) you'll need a 3D HDTV. Unfortunately you won't be able to use or upgrade your current 2DTV to display 3D content, since 3D requires additional video processing capabilities. Also, unless it has been specifically designed for 3D display a TV will not be able to send or receive the infrared or Bluetooth signal needed to sync the active shutter 3D glasses.

Step 2 (required): A pair of active shutter glasses You'll need active shutter 3D glasses designed to work with your 3DTV. At least one pair will be bundled with new 3D sets; some brands plan to offer two with the initial purchase. These glasses contain liquid crystal lenses with the ability to become dark when voltage is applied, but otherwise remain transparent. The glasses alternately darken over one eye and then the other, in synchronization with the refresh rate of the screen, while the display alternately displays different perspectives for each eye to create the 3D effect. For those who already wear glasses, active shutter 3D glasses are designed to be large enough to wrap around your regular glasses and allow you to enjoy 3D video and movies.

One drawback is that there is no single standard for active shutter glasses, so each TV brand's glasses will work only with their 3DTVs.

Step 3 (optional, but highly recommended): A 3D Blu-ray player and Discs You can wait for cable and satellite providers to roll out their 3D channels (3D programs will be accessible via current set-top boxes), but if you are like most of us, your right-now eagerness will lead you to 3D full HD resolution films on Blu-ray. To watch 3D Blu-ray discs you'll need to obtain a 3D-ready Blu-ray player (or update your PlayStation3 game console with the appropriate firmware when it becomes available later this summer. The PS3 console has enough processing power to handle the two 1080p signals that 3D Blu-ray requires). Again, it will not be possible to upgrade previous generation Blu-ray players.

Step 4 (required to connect a 3D-HDTV to a Blu-ray player and to connect either/both to a home theater receiver): You'll need to use high speed HDMI cable. If your existing HDMI cables are designated "high speed" (10.2 Gbps or higher), then you are ready to go and don't need to upgrade. (Please note: High speed HDMI cables come in two versions; one that supports ethernet pass through, designated high speed HDMI cable with ethernet (aka, HDMI spec version 1.4), and one that does not (simply called high speed HDMI or version 1.3.) Only newer receivers with HDMI 1.4 ports can pass through all of the 3D video formats including full HD (1080p) 3D signals.