ProjectorZone Blog

So you’ve seen 3D movies on the big screen at your local movie theater, and now you want to bring the experience home. You could go buy a measly 50″ 3D-ready TV, but since you know 3D was meant to immerse us into the program as if we were there, you’re thinking bigger – a lot bigger. “So how do I set up a 3D projection system on my own?” Great question! Let’s explore your options.

There are several different types of 3D technology. At the time of this posting, all 3D projection systems require special glasses; some require a special screen; some require multiple (or specialized) projectors; and most 3D systems require a source (BluRay player, satellite box, computer etc) with 3D-ready features. Each one of these systems requires 3D content such as a DVD disc, BluRay disc or TV show produced in 3D. The major types of projection 3D tech are: anaglyph, polarization and active shutter glasses .

Anaglyph

What it is: Anaglyph uses glasses with two different colored lenses (often red/cyan or green/magenta) to create a depth effect. Most of us have had less than satisfying experiences from the past wearing the paper and cellophane glasses handed out at commercial movie theaters.

What’s required: For anaglyph projection, any projector will do, but higher resolutions such as 1080p are desired. You’ll need glasses, but stay away from the paper and cellophane ones. Instead find some well made, hard plastic models. For the source, you’ll need any standard DVD player or BluRay player. For the content, you’ll need a DVD or BluRay in anaglyph 3D. That’s it!

Pros/Cons: Anaglyph is the cheapest, easiest way to get 3D going right now. I saw How to Train Your Dragon in 3D with anaglyph glasses, and it looked fantastic, so I know it can be good. But the problems lye in the color accuracy, and variation in glasses colors needed. You will need to color calibrate your projector to achieve the best results, and even then it is possible that it won’t be perfect depending on the quality of your projector.

Polarization

What it is: Polarization uses special polarized glasses and projector lens filters to acheive a depth effect. The new generation of 3D movies such as Avatar use circular polarization. RealD is one of the major companies developing polarization technology for the film industry.

What’s required: For polarization 3D, you need two matching DLP projectors – one for the left eye and one for the right. You’ll need a silver screen made for polarized 3D projection, and you’ll need polarized glasses. You’ll also need a source player. The source needs to output two simultaneous videos to two separate projectors. This is commonly done with a computer using specialized software and hardware used for playing 3D video files.

Pros/Cons: Polarization 3D has the lowest-priced glasses, and the glasses are simple and easy to maintain. The picture quality, color and 3D depth is also very impressive. A polarization system is fairly complicated to set up because you must take time to aim your projectors perfectly, and at the time of this article being written, there are no ‘plug and play’ sources like BluRay which easily support output to two projectors. In a home theater with 2-4 viewers, a polarization projection system is not very practical.

Active Shutter

What it is: Active shutter uses LCD-based shutters built into glasses which rapidly alternate open/shut states between your left and right eye. The projector uses technology such as DLP Link to synchronize what is displayed on the screen with the shuttering of the glasses, and in turn each eye sees only its part of the 3D image.

What’s required: Active shutter systems like DLP Link require a 3D-Ready projector and compatible active shutter glasses. A 3D ready source is also required, and you’ll want to make sure the source you choose is compatible with your 3D display.

Pros/Cons: Active shutter systems have more expensive, and more complicated glasses (though ProjectorZone has the best deals on glasses). That said, the overall system cost is still pretty low since only one display is required, and no expensive computers are involved. For most home theater users, active shutter systems are the way to go.

Wrapup

Like any other technology, things can rapidly change in the world of 3D. I anticipate simpler, less expensive 3D systems in the near future, with better adoption by manufacturers. 3D may or may not be the future of projection, but it will always have a place in many of our hearts.