Cinema Success Drives 3D Technology for HDTV

The Active 3D Stereoscopic projector you mentioned that Projectiondesign is launching is something I looked into for a media program at a small college. I was quoted $40,000 for what is basically a DLP projector with two DVI inputs. At $40k that's 1/5th the median price of a home in my local market. I'd hardly call this device aimed at the "Home Theater" segment. Even at that steep price tag you still need active-shuttered LCD glasses, and the ones they recommend go between $300 and $900 per pair. The company rep told me that they their 3D projector was more geared towards military applications (simulations), high end scientific work, and corporate media displays. The "home theater" market would be better served by DepthQ's InFocus projector, with an MSRP of $5,999, or any of the 3D-ready Mitsubishi or Samsung rear projection sets you mentioned, or Mitsu's latest LaserVue product, due to ship very soon. Also, why no mention of how we're supposed to play that Hannah Montana 3D DVD? Right now the viable options are DepthQ Server software, which has an EDU discount price of $2,000 for the HD version, or get the free multiplexer from following the links on Texas Instrument's page, which means you've got to have a PC with a BluRay player in it... Oh, but the software as it exists (free WinXP compatable player/multiplexers) won't play copy protected material and probably doesn't support BluRay. So, yeah, this technology is great, except you can only buy the pieces, not make them work together. Want 3D? Go to your local 3D digital or IMAX equipped theater. We could use some better reporting here guys.

Posted by Wayne Woodbury on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 @ 04:05 PM