How to keep up with the Joneses... an £1,800 3D TV (Oh, and another £200 to plug it in)

The new technology – likened to the arrival of colour screens 40 years ago and the recent high definition – will allow consumers to enjoy the full 3D experience in their own homes, department store John Lewis said.

The retailer was selling 40-inch Samsung models from certain branches from yesterday for 1,799.

Viewers will also need to pay another 200 for a special cable, a 3D blu-ray disc of the film Monsters vs Aliens and a pair of "Active Shutter" 3D glasses, complete with a battery and an infrared sensor on the bridge which picks up signals from the TV.

John Lewis spokesman John Kempner said: "We've had flatscreen TVs and high definition, and now 3D is the next big thing.

"I think it's what everybody is going to be talking about, and with the success of 3D in the cinema, this is bringing that level of enjoyment and type of experience into people's homes."

Viewers can enjoy the full effect of the new technology later this year with the launch of regular programming on Sky's 3D channel.

But Mr Kempner added: "It is worth remembering that even though 3D TV content is limited at the moment, this new breed of TV provides fantastic picture quality for regular 2D viewing, so a 3D TV is a great investment."

The new hardware will add depth to the picture of normal broadcasts and blu-ray films, according to Samsung.

The sets, which were sold Japan and the US at the start of this year, will be available at Curry's and Comet stores in the next week.