TV makers are gearing up to launch 3D TV sets in Australia from next month but overseas pricing reveals a steep price premium over existing models, with a family of four required to spend $US600 on glasses alone.

Samsung's 3D TV technology range will be launched in Australia next month, followed soon after by Sony's July launch - both riding off the back of recent popular 3D movie releases such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland.

Overseas pricing, announced this week, reveals the TV sets alone will cost several hundred dollars more than equivalent existing sets.

But it's not just your TV you will need to upgrade - a new 3D-ready Blu-ray player is required (unless the user owns a PlayStation 3), as well as a new HDMI cable and pairs of 3D glasses.

Australian TV networks, unlike their US counterparts, do not appear to be gearing up to offer any 3D broadcasts, but movies on 3D Blu-ray discs will start hitting the market alongside the new TV sets, and game developers have flagged significant investments in true 3D games.