SatelliteGuys FIRST LOOK: Optoma 3D-XL Projector Adapter

[Scott Greczkowski]

SatelliteGuys is PROUD to be America's Second Largest Home Theater Technology Forum! (Source Quantcast.COM) And today we are proud to give you a look at an exciting new product from the folks at Optoma.

Today we take a look at the Optoma 3D-XL 3D Projector Adapter.

With the Optoma 3D-XL you can covert many 120hz Projectors into full 3D projection systems!

Today's SatelliteGuys Review was done for us by SatelliteGuys Staff Member James Jarvis (Stuart628) who jumped into his first review with both feet!

If you have a product you would like reviewed and seen by thousands of our members please email us today at reviews at satelliteguys dot us. Did you know that SatelliteGuys is visited by close to 400,000 unique IP addresses every month?

Our thanks to Torin and the folks at Optoma for making this review possible!

If you have any questions about the Optoma 3D-XL leave them here and James will do his best to answer your questions for you!

 

[mrplow]

Did you try it with a 120hz lcd tv ?
Does it work with the Benq sp831?

 

[Stalker]

Seem like a nice package and system, however I said it months ago and I will say it again. I don't believe the 3D is going to catch on and will still be a fad, and in fact is already starting to be just that as one major manufactuer has already halted its 3D TV production. Another issue that everyone is starting to realize is the number and quality of 3D movies and shows currently available are still few and far between and to make it worse alot of them were not even designed to be 3D as there was not enough 3D effects to make it worth watching.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I was against 3D and said it was a fad as well. I have said that a number of times but now I own 2 3DTV's and am now a fan of 3D.

The Optoma lets you turn your HD projector into a 3D projector for little cost so if you have ever had the slight bit of interest in 3D you can add 3D to your setup for very little cost without buying a new TV or projector.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Did you try it with a 120hz lcd tv ?
Does it work with the Benq sp831?

I don't think he did, but with that said it should really work with almost anything that is 120hz. I see Amazon has the 3D-XL coming in, so if you wanted you could order it there and give it a try as Amazon has one of the best return policies out there. (and if you do report your findings here!)

 

[teachsac]

and in fact is already starting to be just that as one major manufactuer has already halted its 3D TV production.

Who would that be? 3D TV sales are up.

S~

 

[JamesJ]

Did you try it with a 120hz lcd tv ?
Does it work with the Benq sp831?

I Dont believe it will work with a 120hz tv and did not try, also I will get the updated list of what projectors it does work with soon. Remember this box is still growing with what it will work with, and some firmware updates are coming out that should improve things in that respect...there is also another product coming out that is PROMISED to work with all 60hz and above displays, so things are really ramping up in the 3D area, its a very exciting time.

 

[TheForce]

Stalker- I was never against 3D TV. I've always been a fan of it and am thrilled to be able to have this addition to my home entertainment. I'm pleased that it is catching on so well and that more and more companies are adding 3D selections to their lineup. I'm also pleased that more and more program opportunities are out there for us to see.

Nice writeup, James. Have you had a chance to compare the 3D image quality against a more expensive 3D Projector as well as a panel 3D image? How is the IR emitter for IR glasses set up? Do you mount it on the screen aimed back at the audience, or on the projector to reflect off the screen? A bit confused so please clarify the pricing for USA mode- $399 and includes 2 pair of glasses, right? Thanks!

Minor issue- You said in the review- "I think the price is justified and if you are looking for 3D on a budget this box and a 3D ready projector are HIGHLY recommended."
Didn't you mean to say this box and a 2D projector are HIGHLY recommended?

 

[JamesJ]

Don I have not had that chance, but I have been in talks to have some projectors sent to me..also no I didnt mean a 2d projector as 3d ready projectors right now are projectors that can support 120hz and that is what is required along with dlp link to be officialy supported by optoma...while other things may work such as a IR setup along with a 120hz lcd screen, it wouldnt be something that you could call optoma and tell them its not working and they help you out...so I thought best to leave it out.


Projectors are in a interesting state in my opinnion as I believe we are in the last stages of 3D ready projectors (the term given to a projector that could be used in a nvidia 3d solution setup) and the beginning of a TRUE 3D ready setup (plug your HDMI cable in and you have 3D) so that is also why I termed it 3D ready projectors too keep in line with what Projector Makers have out there now.

As far as the IR setup, I did not try that out and am in talks with someone that is using it to see, this review was simply to see a setup that majority of the people will use.

 

[madpoet]

So this would allow you to take 2 HD66 projectors and somehow combine them for a 3d effect? For $1700 or so you could have a nice system

 

[whitewolf8214]

I don't think he did, but with that said it should really work with almost anything that is 120hz. I see Amazon has the 3D-XL coming in, so if you wanted you could order it there and give it a try as Amazon has one of the best return policies out there. (and if you do report your findings here!)

scott,what about the commercial you see with best buy 4d coming soon with out glasses?do you see 4d coming soon without glasses?ty for help ad any replies

 

[JamesJ]

So this would allow you to take 2 HD66 projectors and somehow combine them for a 3d effect? For $1700 or so you could have a nice system

you would need 2 3dxl boxes (one for each projector) but you could do 1080p regular projectors and do a passive setup...there is a thread called the ultimate 3d theater on avsforum by member rdjam and he has done just that, read through that if you would like, its a really cool read.

 

[JamesJ]

scott,what about the commercial you see with best buy 4d coming soon with out glasses?do you see 4d coming soon without glasses?ty for help ad any replies

4D would be involving senses...the 3D setup you are talking about is still considered 3D and they are working hard on getting 3D tv's out that dont require glasses, you will see some pop up later this year, and give it a year or two and it will be bigger. I think the big push could be for passive systems so you dont need to buy expensive glasses..but people who were at CES will be able to tell you more then I could.

 

[goaliebob99]

Does this thing turn a non 3d projector into a 3d projector? If so, why couldn't they do this with current HDTV's on the market?

 

[JamesJ]

Does this thing turn a non 3d projector into a 3d projector? If so, why couldn't they do this with current HDTV's on the market?

Turns any projector that can handle a 120hz signal into a 3d projector...also there are some options coming out soon that will work with MAJORITY of the displays already out, or so they claim...I just dont know how legit it really is or how good the company is. My experience with them is they arent very reliable as they never return emails or calls.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Updated Review file with a optimized PDF file that was less then 2 MB in size (the old one was almost 18 MB)

 

[B_Kranski]

I agree 3d is a fad. I think that people will be more interested in 1080p or above in the future more then 3d. I think it is a huge waste of tv bandwidth. I think 3d should also stick to where people like it, movie theaters! And even there, since they are charging so much to go to the movies now a days, why bother. I go to maybe 2 movies a year...maybe 3. I dont mind paying $8 for the movie...but $8 for popcorn and $5 for pop or more is crazy. A movie for two will cost $40 easy...so might as well wait till it is on Bluray or DVD and then buy it.

 

[JamesJ]

I agree 3d is a fad. I think that people will be more interested in 1080p or above in the future more then 3d. I think it is a huge waste of tv bandwidth. I think 3d should also stick to where people like it, movie theaters! And even there, since they are charging so much to go to the movies now a days, why bother. I go to maybe 2 movies a year...maybe 3. I dont mind paying $8 for the movie...but $8 for popcorn and $5 for pop or more is crazy. A movie for two will cost $40 easy...so might as well wait till it is on Bluray or DVD and then buy it.

in my area there is a theater that after about a month or so it will go to movies 10 (the theater name) and you can get two tickets to a 3D showing for 8 bucks

 

[dfergie]

I have 3D where I like it, In a room that I use mostly for 3D viewing... normal 1080p is kind of like SD to me now as 3D adds so much depth and "punch" to what I'm watching... Boxing and Basketball go to a whole new level for me...

 

[goaliebob99]

Yea UFC in 3d was freakin awsome!