3D TVs hit the market. Jaws hit the floor (and not in a good way)

The first high definition 3D TVs are now on store shelves – and if the lack of content for them doesn’t scare people away, the price tag just might.

JVC announced U.S. availability of its 46-inch 3D LCD HDTV at CEDIA, the trade show focused on home cinema going on now in Atlanta.

The flagship GY-463D10 model has an impressive 2000:1 contrast ratio, three HDMI inputs, is only 1.5 inches thick and comes with two sets of specialized 3D glasses.

It also comes with a $9,153 price tag.

3D HD may or may not be the future of television. It’s an extremely impressive technology that does make the viewing experience much more interactive – but the most important component of this – broadcast networks  - hasn’t made any sort of commitment. That means there’s very little 3D content on the horizon right now. Blu-Ray discs with 3D films are only going to attract so many people.

JVC is first out of the gate, but Sony and Panasonic are hot on its heels, with systems due out next year. Panasonic’s hoping that the home release of James Cameron’s “Avatar” will be the big driver for early adopters. Sony seems to be preparing to lean on its PlayStation 3 for an advantage.

But in order to get any sort of significant installed base for these sets (which could be the motivator networks are waiting for), the price tags are going to have to come down – a lot.