The 3D-XL couldn't be much easier to set up. You plug in the power adapter, connect your sources (up to two) to the unit via HDMI cables, and then plug the 3D-XL's HDMI output into your 3D-compatible DLP projector. We used Optoma's HD-66, a 720p 3D-capable projector which sells for under $700. You then flip the toggle switch on the back of the 3D-XL to its 720p output mode. In this mode, the 3D-XL takes any compatible incoming 3D signal and scales/processes that 3D signal to a 720p/120 Hz 3D output which is compatible with most (if not all) 3D-capable DLP front projectors. As a 3D source device, we used Panasonic's SC-BTT350 Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System set to its 1080p 3D output. We also did some 3D testing from YouTube using Side by Side 3D content.
Having the ability to watch high quality 3D movies at home is pretty cool. But watching 3D at home on a 50-inch (or smaller) screen is decidedly less cool. Oh, the exquisite detail of a Blu-ray 3D Disc and the illusion of depth can be dramatic -- particularly on a high-end full HD 1080p plasma or LED/LCD flat panel set -- but the 3D illusion is compromised when the image doesn't even come close to filling your field of vision. Nothing makes a large flat panel TV look small like putting on a 3D movie. The 3D-XL gets around this problem handily by allowing you to use a screen size of 100 inches or more, without a second mortgage or a high interest short term loan from some guy named Vinny.
Avatar 3d Sbs 720p Vs 1080p
Watching Avatar on Blu-ray 3D Disc plus a number of additional Blu-ray 3D titles, including Step Up 3D, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Grand Canyon: A River at Risk, Tron:Legacy and Coraline, we can say that the 3D-XL does exactly what it is advertised to do. It takes the output of a 3D source component (namely a Blu-ray 3D player) and creates a 3D signal that is fully compatible with the current crop of 3D-capable DLP projectors. Sure, the resolution is scaled from 1080p down to 720p so there isn't quite as much detail as you would see from a full HD 1080p 3D system, but the quality is still quite acceptable on a 92-inch screen from less than 10 feet away. And the total price of our review system -- projector, screen, Blu-ray 3D home theater system, 3D-XL box, 3D glasses and cables -- comes in at under $1500. Try that with a flat panel 3D TV. You can read more about the complete system in our article, "Big Screen 3D Home Theater Under $1500."
The 3D-XL has an alternate "1080p" output mode which can be used with a dual projection system, thereby enabling the use of passive 3D glasses and full HD 1080p resolution in 3D mode. In this implementation, you'd actually need two 3D-XL boxes, with one set to 1080p/Left and the other set to 1080p/Right and you'd feed these outputs to two separate projectors.
The assumption here is that you use polarizing lenses on the projectors so that one projects a left eye signal polarized in one direction and the other projects a right eye signal, polarized in the other. These projectors are both set to project on the same screen -- a specially formulated "silver screen" that can support polarized images. In this case, a pair of inexpensive passive 3D glasses can be used to sort out the left and right eye images so your brain can create the illusion of depth. We didn't test this type of configuration, focusing instead (no pun intended) on the more common 720p single projector implementation.
For those who are excited by the possibility of a 3D home theater with a nice big screen, the 3D-XL, combined with a 3D-capable DLP projector from Optoma or other manufacturers represents a compelling, affordable alternative to expensive full HD 1080p projection systems or puny flat panel 3D TVs. Although a remote control would have come in handy, particularly when viewing SBS 3D content on YouTube, the 3D-XL does exactly what it is advertised to do and does it well. It enables big screen high definition 3D home theater at a price that won't break the bank.
WTF with the lit red light meaning off (standby maybe?) and an unlit red light meaning both off and on? Really. This is a major design flaw because the most frustrating part of the install was turning on the unit. My Toshiba LCD would display the Dune splash screen, but would go blank (as described in the manual) but I gather that I was shutting the unit down (or standby?) b/c the red light was lit. On my unit, the red light must be OFF and then the mode selected. Another complication was that selecting 1080i mode triggered a signal received on the Toshiba, but would not display anything. I eventually settled on Mode 4 (720p) and then selected 1080p/23.976/10bit from the settings menu.
Hi DamianThank you for sharing your expertise! I wonder if you could advise me on the following:My PC is in an upstairs room and my TV is on the first floor. I would like to record 720p and 1080i TV programs over an attic antenna and record streaming videos (typically Adobe Flash format) on the web
2) This is not related to 1080p videos. Instead this is related to using 1080p IDX/SUB subtitles. Blu-rays use 1080p PGS subtitles which work fine. IDX/SUB subtitles are actually the standard subtitle format for DVDs. In their standard format (480p) they play fine. If the user has them in 1080p IDX/SUB format the subtitles will not appear
Two years ago, Optoma brought the price of 1080p projection under $1000 for the first time ever with the HD20. As it turns out, the HD20 is still one of the finest 1080p projectors under $1000, despite two years' worth of competition. Now, Optoma has released the HD33, a DLP 3D 1080p projector that sells for less than $1500. This is the first 1080p 3D projector to break the $3000 mark, let alone the $1500 mark, and that in itself is worth getting excited about. Add to that the HD33's solid 2D performance, great color, radio-frequency glasses, and virtual absence of crosstalk and you've got a projector that is a solid value at twice the price. At $1500, the HD33 is a steal.Editor's Note 8/26/11: The original version of this article stated that the projector came with one pair of glasses. The glasses are actually purchased separately. We apologize for the error.The Viewing ExperienceWhile technical details can reveal a lot, the most important consideration for any home theater projector is how it looks--and the HD33, in a word, looks good. The default mode, Cinema, is also the best mode for movies and video, and we measured this mode at 847 lumens with the lamp at full power. This is a lot of light, so the first thing we did was switch to low power, called Standard on this projector. This brought light output to a more manageable 661 lumens, which is still plenty of light. We settled on a screen size of 120" diagonal--you can go bigger with a higher-gain screen or excellent light control--and fired up the Blu-ray player.The Optoma HD33Contrast on the HD33 is only 4000:1 full on/off, and it shows at times. The projector has no iris, auto or otherwise, and black level can suffer because of it. There is the ImageAI function, which varies lamp power in response to the content on screen, but this also causes fan noise to fluctuate and in our experience is not as fast as a good auto iris. Black level on the HD33 is very similar to black level on the older HD20, which we put up head-to-head with this new model. On the other hand, dynamic range shows a clear improvement, and the HD33 looks much more three-dimensional than the older model. The HD33's picture at times looks poised to pop off the screen. The image is vibrant, color is saturated without being overdone, and fine detail is razor sharp. It is a beautiful picture. Next up is 3D. The HD33 is a full 1080p 3D projector with full HDMI 1.4 compatibility. It uses radio-frequency (RF) glasses, meaning line-of-sight is no longer required, as is the case with infrared (IR) emitters. Our preferred test disc these days is The Ultimate Wave: Tahiti, an IMAX film shot in 3D using live actors instead of CGI. The picture was plenty bright for our setup, perhaps even a touch too bright. A touch of ambient light in the room should not do the image much harm. The HD33 strikes a good balance between light transmission and crosstalk, which we saw very little of. The glasses never lost sync thanks to the RF transmitter--turn your head away or look down at the remote and the glasses keep on going. In the past, we have seen IR glasses lose sync at the slightest provocation. Color in 3D is about as accurate as we've seen, though the glasses do add a slight tint of green to the image. Since the HD33 has a separate 3D preset, this can be calibrated out if desired. All in all, it was one of the more enjoyable 3D experiences we've had in the home, regardless of price.
The Optoma HD33 is a projector of firsts. It is Optoma's first 1080p 3D projector. Previously, the company has made a number of 720p DLP Link 3D projectors meant to be used with PCs, but this is their first foray into HDMI 1.4 compatible 3D. It is also the first 1080p 3D projector under $3000. Other 1080p 3D projectors start at $3499 and go up from there. Finally, it is the first 3D projector to our knowledge to use RF glasses technology, eliminating concerns about line of sight and screen bounce.The HD33 shares a lot in common with the older HD20. Both significantly altered the market upon release. Before the HD20, no one had ever seen 1080p under $1000. Before the HD33, no one had ever seen 3D 1080p under $3000. Beyond that, though, the two projectors share the same smooth, natural picture that videophiles enjoy so much. Perhaps most importantly, both projectors offer performance disproportionate with the price. When you are looking for a high-quality 3D projector and want the absolute best value for your money, the HD33 is exactly what you've been looking for.While we have assigned star ratings to the HD33, these are preliminary and based on our opinion of the projector at this time. As competing models come out, we may revise these ratings to better reflect the projector's position in the current market. However, we suspect the HD33 will remain a strong contender in this year's home theater projector lineup. Its combination of performance and low price is simply too attractive to be ignored. For more detailed specifications and connections, checkout our Optoma HD33 projector page. 2ff7e9595c
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