If you bought a 3D-ready DLP projector, you're probably frothing at some of the 3D movies, sporting events, and other content that's currently available. Sadly, those projectors just aren't compatible with devices like Blu-ray 3D players and the PlayStation 3, at least not right out of the box. You don't need to throw out what you have, but you could probably use a little help. You could use a little something like ViewSonic's VP3D1 3D HD video converter box.
First anounced at January 2011's Consumer Electronics Show, this little box acts as a middleman between those state of the art 3D-capable components and virtually any existing 3D-ready DLP projector with an HDMI cinput. It sounds a lot like the Optoma 3D-XL 3D Projector Adapter, which we reviewed just last month. According to our own Chris Boylan, the Optoma product "represents a compelling, affordable alternative to expensive full HD 1080p projection systems or puny flat panel 3D TVs." If you want to find out more about that product, read his Optoma 3D-XL review.
When you explore the fine details, ViewSonic's VP3D1 looks eerily similar, converting a 3D video signal up to 1080p in resolution to a 720p/120 Hz output format that can be enjoyed on any 3D-ready DLP projector with an HDMI connection. The VP3D1 has two HDMI 1.4A inputs and an HDMI v1.3-compatible output. The one feature the ViewSonic box lacks, which the Optoma offers, is the ability to operate with two 1080p projectors in a passive 3D set-up. This feature of the Optoma actually requires not only two projectors, but two 3D-XL boxes, polarizing lenses for the projectors and a special silver screen in order to reproduce the passive 3D image (in all, a fairly expensive proposition).
The Viewsonic VP3D1 is instead optimized for those much more affordable 3D-capable 720p DLP projectors that are on the market today. Add in one or more pairs of DLP Link active 3D glasses, and you'll be ready to sit back and enjoy that Big Picture in 3D mode.
Also, as with the 3D-XL box, the ViewSonic VP3D1 should play nicely, not only with the company's own 3D-ready projectors, such as the PRO8450W, PRO8500, PJD6251 and PJD6531w. It works with just about any 3D-ready DLP projector. It's also about $100 less than Optoma's solution. ViewSonic's VP3D1 3D HD video converter box is now available for $299 (MSRP).
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