14 DAY TRIAL // There are 3D TVs and there are high-end 3D TVs, and then there are things like Toshiba's REGZA 55X3, which have no qualms about blowing all competition out of the water.
Certainly, the TV itself is not news on its own, not after it was announced two months ago (back in October).
The reason it is getting attention from the media again is the way it was finally given a price.
As expected, it is a mindblowing sum, one that only the very rich will even consider paying for a TV of 55 inches.
The figure is 900,000 yen ($11,578), which is the equivalent of 8,655 Euro and 7,420 British pounds, according to exchange rates.
One factor that demanded this price, though not alone, is the support for 3D that does not require viewers to wear any sort of glasses.
The feature is owed to the REGZA CEVO Duo engine, which gives the 55X3 this capability, along with the lenticular sheet placed across the panel.
Up to nine viewers are supported at the same time, which is quite the feat knowing how hard it is to enable glasses-free 3D for even just one person.
The other major factor behind the big price tag is the QFHD, or Quad Full High Definition, resolution (3,850 x 2,160 pixels).
The 3D mode doesn't actually support the maximum image quality, but even Full HD is more than enough (or should be anyway).
Japanese customers will get to buy it starting at some point during the middle of the month, so a lucky few may get it for Christmas.
Other features of the Toshiba 55X3 include 240-zone intelligent backlighting and the support for actively converting 2D into 3D images.
Finally, provided one has a USB storage device with some videos on it, they can plug it into the TV's own USB port and directly play them.