Most of today’s media  briefings here in Las Vegas have focused on the year we just left behind (how companies performed) and a look ahead at what’s coming to market in the coming year.

So it was interesting when Panasonic’s U.S. boss, Yoshi Yamada, spent a bit of time talking about the company’s belief in 3D technology, both for movies and home televisions.  We’ve seen a bit of resurgence in Hollywood’s (and presumably moviegoer’s) interest in 3D movies. Panasonic is banking on the idea that consumers will be interested enough that they’ll actually be willing to buy 3D-capable television sets. Yes, you’d have to sit in your living room, wearing those glasses to get the full effect.

Yamada also introduced a short testimonial by filmmaker James Cameron, who is consulting with Panasonic. Cameron filmed the clip on the set of his new 3D movie, Avatar, which is due out later this year.

Yamada said Panasonic is working with other major industry players to develop an accepted standard that will allow the technology to go mainstream. Products could hit the market by 2010, he said.