From HD to 3D: television's future today

Now that you've forked out for the latest HD-TV technology (plus your Kindle/iSlate, iPod Nano, Nintendo Wii, insert your favourite piece of kit here .........................), along comes 3D-TV to sprinkle napalm on your wallet.

They're all at it: the BBC, BSkyB, whover buys the small screen rights to Avatar, etc. The technology has suddenly become mainstream, with James Cameron's film providing the tipping point.

Welcome to capitalism, western style. We'll sell you products you don't need, that you'll desperately want, that'll burn a hole in your budget, that you'll bore of quickly, that won't make you happy, but will keep you up with the Jones's next door.