Avatar’s success at the box office has 3-D technology on everybody’s minds these days. Now, television manufacturers are looking into bringing that same technology to your living room.

Top TV makers including Sony Corp, Panasonic Corp, LC Electronics Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd will feature 3D screen advances at the Consumer Electronics Show this week, hoping the new technology will be as big a boost for the industry as the transition to color TVs from black and white [Reuters]. A few 3-D sets are already on the market and retail for around $1,000 for a 42-inch screen (a 42-inch high-definition LCD television costs around $600).

At a time when many households are finally ponying up the cash for an HD LCD TV, some investors are skeptical that people will be willing to turn right back around and buy a 3D television, especially since they require special glasses. Manufacturers are hopeful that consumers that have been slow to jump on the HDTV bandwagon will simply opt straight for the 3-D TV when they decide to upgrade. Market analysts think consumers will catch on as well. By 2014, 45% of all U.S. households will have a TV that can handle 3D, up from just 3% this year, research firm Futuresource Consulting forecasts [USA Today].

One major hurdle for 3D TV is the lack of programming. However, that will soon change. Leading the charge into the third dimension will be the sports network ESPN. ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico [ESPN]. Discovery Chanel has also announced it will launch a 3D network sometime in 2011. DirecTV is launching three HDTV channels in 3D in June, featuring movies, sports and other content.

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Image: flickr / Phillie Casablanca