14 DAY TRIAL // Announced quite a while back, Oprtoma's 3D-XL converter finally received a release date, offering all those of you that are stuck with an 3D-Ready projector a way of getting full 3D support without going for a newer model, the 3D-XL 3D Box Engine acting as a middleman between the projector and any 3D capable devices.
In order to do so, the 3D-XL captures the HDMI 1.4a signal found in 1080p 3D players and down converts it to an HDMI 1.3 signal that current 720p 3D DLP projectors can understand and display in 3D.
Of course that the projector has to be “3D-Ready,” meaning it can display video at a 120Hz or greater refresh rate allowing for the projection of 3D images.
As a result older 720p projectors, will gain full 3D capabilities, Optoma's 3D-XL converter being compatible not only with the company's projectors but with every other DLP based model available on the market (provided is 3D-Ready, of course).
Furthermore, a wide range of input sources is compatible with Optoma's offering, including Sony's PS3 console, Blu-ray 3D players and 3D enabled set-top boxes.
“The 3D-XL is an important product for the market right now,” said Jon Grodem, senior director of product and marketing for Optoma.
“It gives a large installed base a way to embrace 3D life without having to make a new, expensive investment.”
If this sounds like an interesting buy to you, 3D-Display-info says the 3D-XL converter will land at Amazon sometime in December, and will cost $499.
The converter will come with a pair of 3D glasses, additional pairs being available for $83, so these aren't cheap by any means.
However, since the 3D-XL converter uses passive glasses, there is a strong chance that you will be able to get away with using other than Optoma branded passive glasses.