Samsung takes huge 3D LCD and LED TV risk. The result?

Samsung, as many HD TV enthusiasts know, is one of the premier LED and LCD TV manufacturers. Aggressive niche brand positioning has given Samsung an edge as one of the industry's quality and high performance leaders. Samsung's upcoming strategy to blitz the 3D LED and LCD TV market may, however, be a bit ambitious for even an industry leader.

Samsung began its plans to manufacture mass quantities of 3D LED and LCD screens this week.

The idea of Samsung getting involved in 3D LCD and LED screens is certainly no surprise. After all, Samsung is the largest flat screen manufacturer in the world. The move though, to start mass producing the 3D screens in high volumes, before they have been tested in the home, is a surprise.

The aggressive move to hoard the 3D market prematurely begs one very important question: is 3D the wave of the future for home entertainment or just a temporary craze better enjoyed in theaters?

3D movies and the Imax 3D have certainly captured a fair amount of attention as of late because of the blockbuster success of movies like Avatar and Up. Together, they have grossed over $850 million in 3D showings alone.

The success of these movies can certainly be attributed to the overall experience of the theater or Imax. The action comes to life on a screen that forms itself around the entire audience and has life-like sound coming from every direction.

The same experience simply cannot be recreated at home, even with a 52" LCD TV and full entertainment center.

Not to mention, with the amount of media currently available in 3D, the options are certainly not abundant. At the current pace, a new studio 3D movie comes out about once a quarter. TV is not much better with only a few channels announced to air thus far.

In many ways, buying a complete 3D entertainment system is like buying the arcade version of Pacman. Sure, it's fun in the arcade for the few minutes that the game is going on, but the second you bring the arcade game home for a few thousand dollars, it loses its appeal. Why? Because its limited.

There are only so many levels available. Plus, it loses its enjoyment if there is no one around to enjoy it with.

The same can be said about 3D LCD and LED TVs. The experience is limited in the home. 3D is better off enjoyed at the Imax where the sights and sounds capture your senses from every angle.

Samsung is taking a gigantic uncalculated risk by manufacturing bulk am ounts of 3D LCD and LED screens. Without knowing the adoption rate of the 3D TV in the home, Samsung can only go on the speculation of a couple box office hits.

If not well received, the mass produced inventory of the expensive ($3,000-$4,000) 3D LED TVs could leave Samsung a bit financially shaken.