This year's TV lineup will include 27 new models with 3D and Internet access via Google TV. In addition, Sony has struck a deal with Time Warner to deliver cable programming via the Internet, so no set-top box is required. The flagship will be the HX920 series in 46- and 55-inch screen sizes, which will offer 3D capabilities and Internet connectivity in an LED-edgelit design with X-Reality Pro video engine and enhanced Motionflow frame interpolation. Also announced was the BDP-S780 3D Blu-ray player with WiFi, DLNA, and Skype.

(Click below for a couple more photos from this event.)

Like Samsung, Panasonic has increased the size of its plasma screens this year—54-inchers grow to 55, and 58 becomes 60. Improved performance includes greater 3D crosstalk reduction, deeper blacks thanks to new louvre filters, 30 percent more brightness with new phosphors, and 25 percent lower power consumption. (No mention was made about incorporating more Kuro technology in the new sets.) A total of 27 new models in five lines will be introduced in 2011, including the ST30 series (pictured here on the left), an entry-level 3D model with Viera Connect and Infinite Black 2 panel. ON the right is the step-up GT30 with a thinner bezel than last year and THX certification.

Like LG, Samsung is using the moniker "Smart TV" for its networkable models, which will comprise two-thirds of the 2011 lineup. (I guess such a term cannot be copyrighted.) And 3D capabilities will be found in 60 percent of this years offerings, with lots of overlap. Pictured here (L to R) are the D8000 and D7000 LED-edgelit LCD TVs, which feature ultra-narrow bezels only 0.2-inch thick; both are Smart TVs with 3D capabilities. There are now over 300 Samsung apps, which have seen over 1.5 million downloads, thanks in part to contributions from third-party developers.

The demo included several side-by-side comparisons with active-shutter glasses. For example, as seen on the right in the photo above, you can lie on your side and still watch 3D with FPR glasses, which use circular polarization, whereas shutter glasses completely darken at 90 degrees as seen on the left.

Another demo tried to illustrate how shutter glasses produce flicker while FPR glasses are flicker-free; from what I saw, this was extremely subtle. More pronounced was the comparison of crosstalk in several still images, which was obvious with shutter glasses and absent with FPR. Finally, a comparison of brightness revealed that passive 3D is indeed brighter than shutter glasses, though surprisingly, Tom Norton thought the shutter glasses display was actually brighter. We both agreed that the passive display looked more washed out and less punchy, and I thought the passive image was a bit softer in all cases, which would be worse on a larger screen.