According to Australian tech site SmartHouse, Samsung and Panasonic may be fighting over the rights to bundle a 3D version of James Cameron's
Avatar with the 3D-compatible HDTVs from their respective brands in the second half of 2010. Initially, Panasonic was the clear favorite. However, now Samsung is reportedly offering "serious money" in a bid for the rights to bundle the sci-fi blockbuster.
Avatar producer Jon Landau had spoken at the Panasonic press conferences at the IFA and CES fairs, and clips from the movie had been used by the Japanese CE maker to showcase its 3D tech. Panasonic had also helped in the production of
Avatar.
However, Samsung scored a publicity coup Wednesday when Cameron attended the Korean corporation's 3D launch event in New York. The filmmaker took the stage after a brief concert by the Black Eyed Peas, which was filmed with 3D cameras and that footage (along with the rest of the band's tour) will be available in 3D Blu-ray... exclusively for Samsung customers. Cameron noted that the concert had been filmed with the same cameras he'd used for
Avatar and added that Samsung had been "such a visionary leader in getting to market first with these sets."
It is our obligation to remind everyone that, despite all of the above, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment still hasn't publicly changed its official stance that "3D is in the conceptual stage and
Avatar will not be out on 3D Blu-ray in November."