Good news for consumers who have purchased a 3D plasma television from Panasonic. They will gain access to a copy of 'Avatar 3D' before anyone else. Avatar is the highest grossing movie of all time.

Directed by James Cameron, it is the first blockbuster movie of modern times to feature 3D. The film is set 2154, upon a moon named Pandora, which humans wish to exploit for it's resources. The moon is inhabited by a humanoid species named 'Na'vi'.

The 2D version of Avatar has already been released in 2010. The 3D version was scheduled for release in 2011. Owners of Panasonic 3D televisions will gain access to a copy in December of this year.

Panasonic are not the first company to sign such an agreement with a movie studio. Sony and Samsung already have agreements for early releases of a couple of 3D movies.

There has been a lukewarm response to these agreements from consumers. Many consumers feel it may actually have a negative impact on the take-up of 3D systems. If owners are restricted in their access to new 3D movie releases.

However, the news would appear to be a shot in the arm for Panasonic. Avatar is by far the best 3D movie to date. And bagging an exclusive early release will probably result in additional sales of their 3D hardware. The question is whether this practice will have an overall positive effect for the 3D technology.