I’ve just returned from the annual tech fest that is CES in Las Vegas.

This year’s show certainly felt busier than the 2009 event – on the first day, it was difficult to get around the show floor because of the sheer amount of visitors checking out manufacturers’ stands.

The big news this time around was 3DTV – the biggest thing to hit the CE sector since the arrival of HD.

Most of the major CE brands were demonstrating 3D Ready TVs, Blu-ray players and home theatre systems, in readiness for Sky’s launch of its 3DTV service in 2010.

The hottest fashion accessory in Vegas this year was a pair of 3D specs, but as a person who already wears chunky glasses, I’m slightly aggrieved that I have to wear another pair of specs on top of my normal ones in order to view 3D content.

It will be interesting to see how the consumer takes to 3DTV – it’s a great proposition – the demos I had were impressive - but it will need to be expertly demonstrated and sold to the general public.

Let’s face it, most consumers are still struggling to get their heads around HDTV and Blu-ray and now the industry is asking them to buy into 3DTV and 3D Blu-ray.

It’s a minefield out there and we need manufacturers, and, in turn, retailers to educate the consumer on these new technologies. I hope manufacturers and trade associations have some effective 3D training initiatives lined up. If you have, please let me know.

There’s no doubt that 3DTV is an exciting concept, but, in my view, due to the hefty price tag, it will initially only be bought by early adopters, gaming geeks, Lottery winners or rich celebs. Still, it gives the industry and the media something to talk about - and it was certainly the main theme of CES 2010.

There was more of a buzz at this year’s show than in 2009, when CES was less glitzy and more stripped-down than in previous times, largely due to the state of the global economy.

I’m pleased to report that things seem to be on the up – the vibe was positive and, as one of the senior figures in the UK CE industry told me, ‘the Americans had come out to play again’.

And what better place to do it than in Vegas.

seanhannam@ertgroup.co.uk