Optoma 3D-XL review

We’ve recently seen a number of DLP projectors that claim to be 3D-ready. When you first hear this term it instantly equates with the now familiar HD-ready marketing that was so prevalent for HD TVs before we had anything much to play on them. 3D-ready projectors, however, aren’t just waiting for some 3D content to come along, as they don’t include the necessary 3D glasses or a way to synchronise the specs with the screen.

Up until now, the only way to turn 3D-ready into 3D was to invest in Nvidia’s 3D Vision kit – that technology works fine for PC-based 3D gaming, but the standard is being rapidly out-dated now that HDMI 1.4a has been established as the de facto standard for 3D consumer electronics.

A better option is the new Optoma’s 3D-XL. It’s a slender box that sits in between your 3D-capable output device (such as a suitably specified Blu-ray player) and your projector. It’s also compatible with non HDMI 1.4a devices, including the PlayStation 3 (for games and Blu-ray), Xbox 360 (gaming on HDMI equipped models) and the Sky HD box. The 3D-XL has a pair of HDMI inputs in the rear, so you can connect any two of these. It then has a single HDMI output to connect to your projector.

It’s simple to setup and get working. You daisy chain the 3D-XL between the two devices using HDMI leads. All the usual 3D formats are supported by the 3D-XL, including over/under, side-by-side and frame pack. The device isn’t capable of full 1080p 3D, but then it’s intended for use with 720p projectors. In addition, many devices, such as Sky HD and games consoles, don’t support Full HD in 3D anyway. To date only one Full HD 3D projector has been announced, and that’s $9,999 model from LG which uses passive glasses, like those in the cinema.

There are no Full HD 1080p projectors currently on Optoma’s compatibility list, but the 3D-XL is capable of passing a standard Full HD video signal to such a device if required. This means you wouldn’t lose resolution when watching non-3D content.

There’s a reasonable range of supported projectors, including 14 models from Optoma’s own range. We did our testing with the recommended Optoma HD67N (below). It’s also compatible with a limited number of models from other manufacturers, including Acer, BenQ and Viewsonic – there’s a full list on the Optoma website, which is growing as more models are tested.

Given the scarcity of good 3D material, having a lights-down cinema experience seems far more appropriate than just popping it on your TV. The quality of the 3D projection was highly enjoyable; which is largely down to having a bigger display that fills more of your field of view, drawing you into the film and better maintaining the illusion. We didn’t see any ghosting problems between the frames, thanks to the fast refresh speed of the DLP sensor. As with all 3D displays, you have to keep your head pretty still to get the most from the effect, no bad thing given that all the compatible projectors use DLP chips and so suffer from the rainbow effect.

Running a lengthy cable to a sync device for your 3D glasses (placed directly above or below the screen) is going to be both troublesome and unsightly for many projector setups. Thankfully, then, the 3D-XL uses a clever technology called DLP Link to get around the problem. DLP Link uses the fast refresh speed of the projector’s DLP chip to send synchronisation signals to the active shutter glasses in between the video frames. It’s a brilliant idea and one that makes the 3D-XL a far more appealing add-on for your home cinema setup.

Speaking of glasses, there’s only one pair provided in the box. They’re fairly typical fare, and don’t fit too well in front of normal spectacles. Additional pairs are available to pre-order online for just over £50, but such a cost could quickly add up if you have four people wanting to watch.

For a small, two person household, you could pick up an HD67 projector, 3D-XL converter and an extra pair of glasses for around £800 inc VAT. If you’ve a sizeable white wall, then you’re all set for 3D projection in your home on a screen measured in feet, not inches. Impressive stuff, and probably worth the money if you’re into at least two of the three options for 3D content: games, Blu-ray and Sky HD. For anyone else there still isn’t enough content to justify picking a such a projector and converter box over a superior Full HD LCD-based model such as the Epson EH-TW3200. For those who already own a 3D-ready DLP projector, however, it’s easy, if you want 3D then buy this box.