Samsung officially announces cheapest 3D HDTV: 50-inch 720p plasma for $1,000

In addition to showing off the first portable 3D Blu-ray player and the largest 3D LED-backlit HDTV, Samsung also announced a new line of 3D plasmas, including one for $1,099.99 (list price) that's the cheapest 3D HDTV on the market.

Unlike other 3D sets on the market, the PN50C490 is only 720p, though it's 50 inches in size. That explains how Samsung is able to price it close to the magic $1,000 price point. (Amazon.com already has it for pre-order at $989.) It wasn't announced whether the set would ship with a pair of 3D glasses, but it does come with 600Hz subfield motion. It will be available sometime this month, as will a pair of pricier 1080p 3D plasmas -- the $1,599.99 50-inch PN50C680 and the $2,299.99 58-inch PN58C680.

Are 3D and a cheaper price tag worth giving up 1080p for? According to Engadget's eyes-on first impressions, the difference in image quality between the 720p plasma and its 1080p brethren was quite noticeable. Is the $1,000 price point enough to convince you to try 3D TV?