What is 3D Compatibile? 3D Ready TV, Blu Ray, 3D Glasses and 3D Software
By Susana S
Understanding 3D Compatibility Issues
3D technology is here. We're ready and want to get the set up that allows us to watch 3D Blu Ray and 3D TV broadcasts at home or start gaming in 3D, but where to start? If you've done any research at all on 3D technology for your home entertainment you'll have found that it's a bit of minefield in terms of product compatibility. You may even have had the misfortune of already spending out your hard earned cash on 3D products that don't work together.
Why 3D product manufacturers, such as Mitsubishi, Samsung and Sony, can't be clearer about which other products are compatible with theirs I don't know. The cynical answer would be that they want to cover up issues of 3D compatibility so that you do spend your money blindly on their products, or maybe they're simply too narrow in their focus and are only concentrating on their own products.
Now don't get me wrong - I love 3D technology - I love gaming in 3D, but customers shouldn't have to trawl the net getting snippets of information from here, there and everywhere, to ensure that their 3D products work together. Even speaking to customer support from some of these manufacturers can be disheartening, as many of their tech engineers can't give instant answers to many of the questions around compatibility! One exception has been Sony, who's online chat technical support was very helpful and were able to give an answer about their 3D Blu Ray players compatibility with 3D Ready HDTV's quickly.
Another company who can be trusted to be clear on compatibility are nVidia who make the 3D Vision Kit (a great product BTW). They are a cut above the rest when it comes to being clear about compatibility between systems. They have detailed information on their website about what 3D displays, 3D TV's, 3D projectors and video cards work with their 3D Vision Kit.
3D Compatibility Chart
Sony Blu Ray
| Samsung Blu Ray
| nVidia 3D Vision
| XpanD 3D Glasses
| Samsung 3D Starter Kit
| Samsung 3D Glasses
| Tri - Def
| i-O 3D Glasses
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mitsubishi DLP 3D Ready TV
| Y
| X
| Y
| Y
| N
| N
| X
| Y
|
Samsung DLP 3D Ready TV
| Y
| ?
| N
| Y
| N
| N
| Y
| Y
|
Samsung LED 3D Ready TV
| Y
| Y
| N
| N
| Y
| Y
| ?
| ?
|
Samsung Plasma 3D TV
| Y
| Y
| N
| N
| Y
| Y
| Y
| Y
|
3D Compatibility List - What Works and What Doesn't
To help any of you that are ready to take the plunge into 3D technology at home, I've put together a 3D compatibility list (which I'll be adding to over the coming months), so that you don't end up wasting money on incompatible products.
Apart from looking at the 3D compatibility chart below, I strongly recommend that when it comes to buying 3D compatible hardware, as far as possible, purchase products made by the same manufacturer. So for instance, Samsung have a range of 3D Ready HDTV's and have also produced a 3D Blu Ray Player and a 3D starter kit which includes two pairs of 3D glasses, which is perfect for watching 3D TV broadcasts and 3D Blu Ray Movies. Buy all 3 Samsung 3D Hardware products together and you won't have any compatibility issues.
Sony's Bravia LX and HX series 3D TV's are about to hit the market and so if you're a Sony fan, you might want to wait before you dive into the world of 3D entertainment until you can purchase a Sony 3D TV alongside a Sony 3D Blu Ray player and Sony 3D glasses. Of course if you're a Playstation 3 lover, choosing a Sony 3D TV will probably be the best option, because the 3D firmware updates coming later in the year will enable you to play your Playstation 3 games in 3D and also watch Blu Ray movies in 3D.
|
Vizio Bundle 42" E3DB420VX 3D LCD HD TV 1080p 120Hz WiFi Apps + 3D BluRay Player
Current Bid: $400.00
|
|
BUNDLE: Mitsubishi WD-82740 82" DLP TV with 4 pairs of 3D Glasses (3DGX103)
Current Bid: $1946.65
|
|
Samsung UN60D8000 60 inch 240hz 3D Wifi LED with Clear Motion 960 3D Bundle
Current Bid: $3497.00
|
More on 3D Products and Compatibility
3D technology for home entertainment is an incredibly exciting development, so try not to be put off because of potential compatibility issues. Once you've got your 3D system set up for gaming or TV and movies, the 3D quality will completely blow you away. It really is as good as watching the recent 3D movies we've seen in the cinema. Over the coming months and years we will see a 3D standard emerge, which will make buying 3D products a great deal simpler.
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Comments
Cool :) You certianly won't be one of the ones buying incompatible 3D equipment then!
This is good to know as I shop for a new TV, I love 3D but the movie and 3D glasses always gives me a bad headache. Thanks for this great report and comparison. Peace :)
3D is the future :)
Very interesting article on 3D TV, Susana. There are quite a few different standards. I will be wondering which one will come to dominate the TV manufacturing industry. Here's hoping the price of TVs comes down soon. Cheers.
Hi Katie - that's a shame that you can't enjoy 3D without getting a headache :( Maybe you'll have to wait a few years until no specs 3D movies and TV are available to really enjoy it :)
Hi L3B0 - yep it sure is :)
Hi Cheeky - The only one 3D standard that is already out there is for Blu Ray and the new 3D movies, so I should add this to the article. At least that's a start in terms of 3D compatibility. I have a feeling that the DLP TV's Mitsubishi make will fall by the wayside and the LED and Plasma 3D TV's will take over as each system seems to require different hardware to work with them. DLP is great but many people still want to go with LED or plasma as they are more familiar with these formats. Thanks for stopping by :)
Very interesting. The closest Ive come to 3D is the cinema, but am looking to invest in newer technology, thanks for the headsup
Really nice information. I am glad to have one of this technology. Good work!
Are nVIDIA 3D Vision and/or DLP® 3D technology projectors capable of handling Blu-Ray 3D signals?
We have just treated ourselves to a Panasonic HD 3D with A Blu-ray player. Managed to find Final Destination Blu ray 3d film. however it came with a pair of paper 3d glasses.
Am I being a bit dim or is this one of many compatability issues to which there is no easy fix ??
Hi Dave, as far as I remember it's only the collectors version of Final destination 4 that is in stereoscopic 3D and it's very pricey. There really aren't a great deal of 3D blu rays to watch as yet but they are increasing in numbers (so you will ge to enjoy your new equipment!). Here's a list of movies in the right format for 3D TV/3D Blu Ray Player: http://www.blu-ray.com/3d/
Nice hub, this is really important to compare the uses and compatibility of 3D eyeglasses. I'm glad to know that there is also a 3D glasses for ready tv. Thanks guys for sharing this ideas here.
Does 3d active glasses work on computer? Can i use my computer instead of an hdtv for a blu-ray 3d movie?
Rui - You'd need a 3D capable monitor and 3D software/glasses kit such as nVidia 3D vision and your PC would need compatible graphics card, OS, etc. To be able to watch your 3D movie with this set up through your PC it must be in alternate frame sequencing format.
Here's some more on a 3D PC set up: http://hubpages.com/hub/3d-ready-pc
and nVidia 3D vision requirements:
http://hubpages.com/hub/nvidia-gaming-in-3d
If your main interest is in watching 3D movies you're better off with a 3D TV, 3D Blu Ray player and stereoscopic 3D glasses. Mitsubishi offer the cheapest set up if price is a consideration for you: http://hubpages.com/hub/3d-ready-tv
I've read the comments and questions dating back 6 months. (www.mitsubishi-tv.com/3dupgrade.html): Mitsubishi has an update for the newer models 738 and 838 series which allows these tv's to be 1.4 compliant (and accept different formats such as side by side, top / bottom, frame sequential) It then convert this to the pattern the TV itself uses. I'm not certain if this means that a sony 3d blu ray player (570) can be plugged directly to an hdmi port or the mitsubishi 3d kit or the converter box. But this, among other features on the Mitsubishi 838 series has me looking seriously at purchasing the NEW Mitsubishi model
Hi Rxa - the Mitsubishi upgrade is a real benefit for those with mits 3D TV's. From what I read on their website, it will eliminate the need for the adapter and allow you to plug in other makes of 3D equipment directly into the TV. I also read that their new models already have this capability, but it does make me ask if they knew about this upgrade why did they bother even creating the adapter? it's only been around for 6 months. Anyway, I'm sure we will find out the ins and outs of it all soon. Thanks for commenting :)
Has anyone tried using the Sony 3d glasses with a Mitsubishi 3d TV? If so do they work? I've read about compatibility problems between brands. However, some of this can be solved by changing the settings on the TV.
nice info sue, i bought the whole samsung package as you suggested, i got myself a samsung 3d bluray player and samsung lcd tv, it work just fine with the free 3d blu ray disc from dreamworks that goes with the package. However when i purchased a new 3d bluray disc it doesnt work well, the movie particularly The Polar Express has bad reddish lines in every character in the movie, so bad that it will piss you off. any idea why? has it something to do with the disc manufaturer, i mean do i have to purchase those from dreamworks only to enjoy full 3d compatibility? Thanks
Hi Axl - Any of the stereoscopic 3d blu ray titles should work perfectly with your set up. Are you sure you didn't buy the polar express in anaglyph (red/blue) format by mistake?
You did a great thing by helping people understand everything about 3d televison.
Ms Chievous 2 years ago
Very helpful Susana S. I am printing this off and taking it with me when I go looking at tvs this weekend!