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Get a 55-inch 3D HDTV with glasses for $899 shipped

If two dimensions just aren't enough, you and five friends can gather around this top-rated TV for 3D movie-night goodness.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
3 min read
Sometimes it's really fun to watch a 3D movie at home.
Sometimes it's really fun to watch a 3D movie at home. LG

3D TVs were supposed to be the Next Big Thing, but they never really caught on with consumers, no doubt due to high prices and the dearth of 3D content.

And yet, I think if you can get a 3D-capable model for around the same price as a non-3D one, why not? That was my thinking when I bought my last TV, and although I don't don the glasses very often, sometimes it's really nice.

For example, our local Family Video has a pretty decent 3D movie selection, so when my family went to rent "Life of Pi," we grabbed the 3D version. And you know what? It rocked! (Both the movie and the 3D.)

That little plug aside, Fry's has the LG 55LM6200 55-inch 3D HDTV with six pairs of glasses for $899 shipped (plus sales tax where applicable). It's new, not refurbished, and several hundred dollars less than you'll find it elsewhere.

I was a little hesitant to share this, because Fry's is notoriously quick to sell out on deals like these. If you're interested, read fast and click faster.

Update: And, sure enough, this is now sold out online -- but still available in at least some stores. Aaarggh! That's it, I'm swearing off Fry's deals.

Update No. 2: Eagle-eyed reader Jitu noted that Rakuten.com comes in a close second, offering the same TV for $949.99 shipped, and with no sales tax in most states. Plus, you get 4,750 "Rakuten points" you can apply toward future purchases. (3D-capable Blu-ray player, anyone?).

The LG 55LM6200 is a 120Hz smart TV with built-in Wi-Fi, apps aplenty (Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, etc.), ambient light sensors, and four HDMI inputs. It's definitely a higher-end model than I usually write about.

It comes with six pairs of passive 3D glasses, meaning you don't have to deal with eyestrain-inducing active shutters or the hassles of keeping your glasses charged. Plus, if you need extras, just bring home the ones you get at the movies. (You don't have to recycle them, you know -- you paid for 'em.)

CNET hasn't reviewed this particular model, but over at Amazon, where it sells for $1,099, some 366 buyers rated it 4.3 stars out of 5.

Although you can find non-3D TVs in this size category for less, they're often refurbished and/or non-smart models. If you have even the slightest interest in adding an extra dimension to your living room, this is worth a look. While you're at it, check out my post on where to find 3D movies to watch at home.

Bonus deal: Most cars have cigarette lighters, but only the newest, fanciest models have USB ports. If you need to recharge your phone, Bluetooth headset, or other gizmo while you're on the go, try this: For a limited time, and while supplies last, DealFisher has the Scosche PowerPlug low-profile USB car charger for $3.99 shipped. It provides 1 amp (1A) of power, enough to juice your smaller devices. It sells for about $12 elsewhere.

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