ATLANTA
— As other home-theater projector
manufacturers used CEDIA Expo
to unveil new 3D-capable projectors of
various stripes, Optoma Technology put
a different spin on the concept by introducing
what it called a breakthrough
adapter that will turn many existing 720p
projectors into 3D-capable solutions.
According to Jon Grodem, Optoma
product marketing senior director, the
adapter will enable legacy 720p DLP
video projectors with HDMI 1.3 inputs to
play 3D images from new 3D 1080p signal
sources complying with the 3D Bluray
spec.
Model 3D-XL ($399 suggested retail)
is billed as the first converter box that lets
720p 3D DLP projectors play 1080p 3D
Blu-ray discs.
As with all single-projector 3D systems, active 3D
glasses are required to view images in 3D.
“The 3D-XL is an important product for the market
right now,” stated Grodem. “It gives a large installed
base a way to embrace 3D life without having to make
a new, expensive investment.”
The 3D-XL accepts the HDMI 1.4a signal output by
1080p 3D players and down-converts it to an HDMI
1.3 signal that current 720p 3D DLP projectors —
those that operate at 120Hz refresh rates — can display
in 3D.
The 3D-XL supports multiple 3D inputs, with two
HDMI 1.4a inputs, one USB port and one RS232 port,
and can accept common global video inputs and video
formats up to 1080p (HDTV, EDTV, SDTV, NTSC, PAL
and SECAM).
The 3D-XL weighs 2.4 pounds and comes with a
one-year parts and labor warranty.
