Big Picture Big Sound

It sounds like 3D will be the must-see technology at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

The show, which kicks off later this week in Las Vegas, is our window to some of the fun little tech items we expect to see on shelves later this year. Of course, there should be plenty of teases, but also enough to keep us entertained and on the couch for the coming year.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 3D will hog a lot of this year's spotlight. The organization is creating a huge buzz about it, saying that everything from HDTV displays to Blu-ray players to other 3D solutions should be on display. They're even planning an entire "CES is the Experience 3D TechZone." This spot on the showfloor will include more than 10 companies tantalizing with some type of 3D wares. Those should include:

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  A new generation of 3D eyewear, such as these from RealD, feature active shutter technology, enhancing the 3D illusion and preventing the annoying color shift that was a part of the old anaglyph 3D technology.
  3D displays in flat screen, projector and computer form
• Movies to showcase the just-finalized Blu-ray 3D standard
• Prototype 3D Blu-ray players
• 3D games
• 3D software
• 2D-to-3D real-time and offline video processing
• Technology to convert HD broadcasts to 3D
• 3D still images that do not require special glasses

With all of the hype, we're expecting to see this market blow up bigger than the iPod. We're already hearing about plenty of 3D accessories, including screens and glasses.

We're not sure who will be showing what, but all of that (and more!) should be announced throughout the week. The CEA will even publish a guide titled, Guide to 3D@CES, which will be available for download starting this Thursday. Of course, also stay tuned for Big Picture Big Sound's coverage, which will include all of the 3D goodies we leave our drool-prints on during the show.