Even though they're yet to reach the country till next week, Viewsonic's new range of 3D projectors are just another feather in the cap for those eager to experience 3D movies.
But with a general glut of 3D titles on the market, should you really get excited about 3D?
Viewsonic don't seem to be too worried about the small 3D market. The company will release three projectors to the Australian market, and considering the stereoscopic lens technology, the prices seem reasonable compared with regular DLP projectors.
Here are the specs provided by Viewsonic:
1) PJD6381 - 3D ultra short-throw DLP projector:
- AU$1,599
- 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
- 2,500 ANSI lumens
- 2,400:1 contrast ratio
- RJ45 network management software
- Short throw ratio of .68
2) PJD6211 and PJD6221 - 3D ready DLP projectors:
- PJD6211 - AU$1,099
- PJD6221 - AU$1,199
- 120Hz 3D ready
- 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
- 2,700 lumens
- 2,800:1 contrast ratio
- RJ45 network management scheduling software
- Two VGA input composite, S-Video and VGA inputs
- DLP Link compatible
Viewing the 3D images
Just like 3D cinema, you'll need a pair of special 3D glasses to view the images. Not just any pair, mind you. A Viewsonic spokesperson told us that the only glasses currently compatible with the Viewsonic range are Nvidia's Geforce 3D Vision. They retail at around $US199 for a wireless PC kit.
Unfortunately, that also means that cardboard 3D glasses won't work.
Changing 3D technology
Current 3D technologies are quite a long way removed from the days of out-of-focus B-grade movies of the past. But instead of projectors that require expensive glasses to view the picture, we're more interested in a 3D concept that requires no glasses at all.
Goggle-less 3D may someday be a reality: two TV makers have already demonstrated a proof of concept, showing that the technology can actually work.
Mitsubishi and Phillips both have concept models that require no glasses to view the images, although Phillips later cut the funding on their plans, citing costs to introduce the technology that requires you to look at the television from a particular angle.
Sharp also have a computer monitor that doesn't require 3D glasses either (LL-151-3D).
Lack of 3D movie titles
More problematic is the lack of movies available in 3D. Avatar, due out later this year, could make that view redundant, but until we see more than a dozen titles to buy, it's hard to get excited for 3D.
A quick browse at Amazon for 3D Blu-Ray titles pulls up few results. My Bloody Valentine in 3D seems to be about the only recent release worth noting in the format, while a host of IMAX style documentaries make up the bulk of the 3D library. Would you spend $1,600 for the benefit of watching 12 DVDs?
YouTube in 3D
Perhaps YouTube know something we don't, but the world's largest video portal has also jumped on the 3D bandwagon too. A new 3D video function is now available on the site.
