Isn't it great when a new product comes out that doesn't make your old one obsolete? In fact, it makes it better? That's exactly what happened when ViewSonic released its VP3D1 3D converter box. If you already own a 3D-ready DLP projector, which could only produce 3D images from a computer with a special video card, ViewSonic's VP3D1 opens up your world to the latest 3D source components, including Blu-ray 3D players and 3D-capable satellite and cable set-top boxes. It won't turn a 2D TV into a 3D TV or a 2D projector into a 3D projector, but it will turn an inexpensive 3D-capable DLP projector into the centerpiece of a high definition 3D home theater.
The Set-up
Not much to say here. After plugging the adapter into AC power, I plugged an HDMI cable from a Panasonic Blu-ray 3D player into the VP3D1's HDMI 1 input, and plugged the VP3D1's HDMI output into an Optoma HD66 3D-capable DLP projector and pressed play on the player. The projector detected a 3D signal and displayed it in 3D. Ta da! I did run a second HDMI cable from the player to my receiver to handle the sound (my current receiver does not support 3D passthrough), but that was about it on the set-up.
Although any DLP-Link glasses will do with the Optoma projector, I happened to use their BG-ZD101 DLP-Link glasses. They're fairly heavy and not terribly comfortable, but they're inexpensive and work well for 3D viewing. ViewSonic has a new pair on the market that are a bit lighter and more comfortable -- the PGD-250. Definitely worth a look.
In addition to Blu-ray 3D, the VP3D1 also supports side-by-side 3D as you get with some cable and satellite boxes. If you tune into 3D programming and see two identical images, left and right, hit the "Side by Side" button on the front of the unit. Oh and make sure your set-top box is set to 1080i output if it is not already.
From what we've heard, although we did not have any suitable sources to test, some set-top boxes that use a top/bottom (also called "over/under") 3D image, instead of side by side, may not be compatible with this box. ViewSonic says top/bottom sources are supported, but there are forum threads that have owners claiming otherwise. If you're not sure which type of 3D service you have, check with your pay TV provider. And based on ViewSonic's statements and documentation, top/bottom 3D should work so you can always contact their customer service team if you have problems. The Optoma 3D-XL required a firmware upgrade (delivered in June) in order to properly support top/bottom 3D sources, but ViewSonic says this is not necessary for the VP3D1.
Control Issues?
Like the similar Optoma 3D-XL, the ViewSonic 3D converter lacks any type of remote control. This means switching between sources requires you to get up off your duff and press a button. Also, that SBS button (side by side) will need pushing if you want to use a Side by Side 3D source. Fortunately these activities are not something you'll need to do often, but it makes it tricky to integrate the unit with a home automation system or universal remote control. But the time when a remote would be most handy would be to control something that the VP3D1 doesn't give you access to: and that's swapping.
A Different Kind of Swapping
No, I'm not talking about the key parties of the 1970s, I'm talking about left eye/right eye swap. Because current DLP projectors don't have an absolute sync that inherently knows the difference between the left eye and right eye portions of the stereoscopic 3D signal, the projector can get out of sync with the content. When the left and right eye images are swapped, you lose the illusion of depth. The image still sort of looks 3D but everything is inverted. It's not a pleasant experience.
Quick Tip! If you suspect your 3D image is inverted, flip your glasses upside down and look at the screen. If it looks "correct," then your left and right signals are inverted and you'll need a trip to your projector's menu to reverse the streams. Oh and when you're done, flip those glasses back over. You look silly like that.
This left/right swap generally doesn't happen while watching a movie, but it might happen if you pause the movie for an extended time, or you turn your 3D source on and off, or even if you change movies. When this occurs, you'll need to get into your projector's menu and swap or reverse the 3D signal. This setting has different names on different projectors, but every 3D-capable DLP projector has this setting so you should be able to find it. I should point out that this is not specifically a problem with the ViewSonic converter box -- the same thing happens with Optoma's 3D-XL -- but it's something to be aware of as it will come up from time to time. A remote control with a left/right swap button would have made this box nearly perfect.
That's Deep, Man
In day to day operation, the VP3D1 works as expected. I hit it with several Blu-ray 3D titles during the review period and it had no problems creating a deep believable sense of space on good 3D content. One of my favorite scenes to demo in 3D is the cryo sleep awakening scene in Avatar on Blu-ray 3D. When Jake awakens from his five year slumber and his sleep capsule slides out, the ship seems to extend back into my neighbor's basement, and then past that into their neighbor's basement. They haven't called to complain yet though, so I'm thinking it's just a really good illusion. The final battle scene is also fun to watch as the natives and their beasts collide with evil humans and their advanced technology. You feel as if you're right there in the jungle, or in the shuttlecraft, or in the air on the back of a Banshee. It's as good as the 3D experience in many theaters, and better than some.
Return to Flatland
Of course, watching 3D content is fun, but the reality is that there is still very little content available in native 3D. Most Blu-ray 3D players now have a 2D to 3D conversion feature, but this is really little more than a gimmick and can't compete with native 3D content. Here's a tip, though: Samsung's current model year Blu-ray 3D players such as the BD-D6700 are some of the few that currently support 3D content from VUDU so if you like 3D movies and want to rent, rather than buy, check out VUDU on the Samsung Blu-ray 3D players. The quality isn't quite up to Blu-ray standards but it can be pretty close, and is much cleaner and more detailed than much of what you'll find via satellite or cable.
When you find yourself fresh out of 3D content, or you just need a break from the glasses, you don't need to do anything special to go back to viewing regular 2D material. The VP3D1 will automatically detect that the content you are watching is not 3D and it will switch itself into a passthrough mode that maintains the resolution of the source. This means that Blu-ray Discs will be passed through to the projector in full 1080p resolution. Of course, virtually all of the 3D-ready projectors on the market right now are 720p projectors, so the projector is just going to scale the image back down to its native resolution. But it is nice that the converter box does the switching to 2D mode automatically so you don't have to.
We have drawn some comparisons here between ViewSonic's VP3D1 and Optoma's similar 3D-XL adapter. As far as using these devices with a 3D-ready 720p DLP projector, the two units are functionally identical. However, the Optoma box also supports a 1080p 3D mode which is not offered on the ViewSonic. With this mode, you actually need a second 3D-XL box as well as a second projector. One box handles the left eye signal, one the right eye. The dual projectors each have polarization filters to differentiate the left and right eye images from each other. The projectors shoot these images at a specially formulated silver screen that can handle the polarized light output and then you use passive polarized 3D glasses to view the image in 3D.
If you're interested in this type of 3D home theater (which is significantly more expensive than the traditional single-projector 720p DLP 3D implementation), then the Optoma is a better choice, however for standard 720p DLP implementations with active 3D glasses, I see no reason to spend the extra money on the Optoma box. Also, with a mail-in rebate, you can get a free pair of active 3D glasses from ViewSonic until 8/31/11, which makes the VP3D1 an even better deal (check with your retailer for details on this promotion).
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Final Thoughts
Viewsonic's VP3D1 is a great little box for those who already own a 3D-ready DLP projector and want to take the plunge into huge screen 3D home theater without spending a small fortune. Our sample behaved pretty much identically to the similar Optoma 3D-XL box, however the Viewsonic box is $100 lower in list price and seems to be more readily available. It would be nice if it came with a remote to switch sources, enable side-by-side compatibility and to swap the left/right signals, but the more expensive Optoma also lacks a remote, making the Viewsonic a better choice overall.
The only caveat? Several projector companies (such as Optoma) are now including this type of 3D-compatibility right in their projectors in upcoming models, so the need for a product such as this will not last forever. If you've got a 3D-capable DLP projector already, then I would recommend the VP3D1 with no hesitation. But if you haven't taken the 3D projector plunge yet, you might want to hold out a little longer until the new 3D projectors are on the market later this year.
Manufacturer's Specs:
Manufacturer's Contact Information:
ViewSonic Corporation
381 Brea Canyon Road
Walnut, CA 91789
Phone: 800-688-6688
On the Web: www.ViewSonic.com
Where to Buy:
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