I was lucky and had to be in Vegas this week for business. I acquired the much anticipated Mitsubishi 3DC-1000 3D Starter Kit from an RC Willey store there.
I have played with the new toys for a day now. I will attempt to give a review of the components and the overall 3D effect with my home theater system, thus far.
My 3D system:
Mitsubishi WD-73737 73 DLP HDTV
DirecTV HR-24 500 Satellite DVR receiver
Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Bluray player
Mitsubishi 3DA-1 Converter box and remote
Mitsubishi IR emitter Model #SSG-2100ME/ZA
Mitsubishi Active shutter 3D glasses Model #SSG-2100MG/ZA
As many of you know, the Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Bluray player already does native checkerboard output, so this device required no converter box to interface with the TV.
The question I wanted first answered was this: The directions for connecting the 3DA-1 adaptor show the device needing conversion to checkerboard (in my case, the DirecTV receiver) connecting to the 3DA-1, and the 3DA-1 connecting to the TV. This makes obvious sense. BUT, then the instructions indicate that you should connect the IR emitter to the output on the 3DA-1. I thought this odd, because then only one device at a time could be made to function with the Mits glasses, requiring a HDMI 1.3 switcher for multiple devices, and all 3D device needing to loop through the adaptor. I only have one other 3D device, the Panny Bluray, and it does not need to go through the 3DA-1 for checkerboard. So I remembered the IR emitter port on the back of the TV set itself, and thought I would try connecting the IR emitter there, hoping for a more global solution. The upshot: This approach DOES work! So you won't have to be plugging and unplugging your IR emitter, or worry about getting a HDMI switcher if your Bluray player outputs checkerboard. Do note though, that for some reason, the TV may turn off the 3D mode, when you are switching between sources. After you have switched from Satellite or cable viewing to 3D DVD, verify that the TV is still in 3D mode (no reverse needed).
Let's get to the good stuff. The adaptor seems well constructed and sturdy with it's own remote. It's simple to connect one device at a time for checkerboard conversion to your HDTV. The kit even comes with an extra HDMI cable. Nice touch.
The IR Mits 3D glasses are wonderfully light weight. They also come with a nice microfiber cleaning cloth. I had previously owned some XPand X102s for 3D Bluray watching, and I'll tell you, the Mits glasses weigh half as much, and are very much more comfortable. I easily watched Coraline last nite without any nose fatigue. The Mits glasses themselves appear to be a clone of the Samsung SSG-2100AB glasses. And actually, I had borrowed a pair of the Samsung glasses from a friend, I can report to you that the Mits glasses are indeed IDENTICAL in every way and function to the Sammy 3D battery glasses. Upshot: Go get yourself the Samsung glasses on eBay and save yourself a bundle, until the Mits glasses drop in price. They are the same glasses!
Mits 3D glasses performance with the IR emitter. I played around with various locations for the emitter, on top of the set, to the lower corner, etc. There doesn't seem to be any difference where I locate the emitterit all works great! The glasses themselves, are faintly green tinted, and seem to work very well with the emitter. I did not discern any issues with connectivity as I moved around my home theater (my furthest seating is about 12 feet from the TV). At no point side to side, was there an issue either. The glasses don't display any noticeable flutter (detectable lens switching). Very easy on the eyes. Yes, they do cut down on light somewhat, but that's what is so great about a DLP displayit can be very bright if you want it to be.
The DirecTV receiver now allows unfettered access to the 3D channelsno issues. I watched part of a Peter Gabriel concertwonderful! Then I verfied that my pre-recorded DVR World Cup matches played without issues. I know what I'll be watching this weekend!!
On to 3D Bluray on the Panny DMP-BDT300 : Blurays look great with the Mits glasses. I viewed parts of Cloudy, M vs. A, and Coraline. All were lovely to behold on the system. Did I mention how comfortable the glasses were? Are they as sturdy as the Xpand's. No. Howeverlet's put it this way. Do you let anyone throw your eyeglasses around or abuse them. I doubt it. Just keep an eye on the kids with these and they'll be fine. If you can't control your little monsters, you'd better get the Xpands. Note about X102s and Mits IR glasses. I don't have access to the X102's any longer as I returned them due to their overall heaviness and uncomfortable design for me personally. However, I can verify that I did have to use the 3D REVERSE setting on my TV when using the XPands to get the display correct. So I can assume that you cannot mix the Xpands and Mits glasses during a single viewing, as the Mits glasses do not require the TV REVERSE setting for 3D viewing.
What else can I say? My verdict: Mitsubishi has a great product on it's hands. A very nice intro to 3D. Now if they can just get the kit and adapter into wide release, everyone will be happy! I know I am thoroughly satisfied with it.
Let me know if you have questions. I'll try to answer them!
---Chris
I have played with the new toys for a day now. I will attempt to give a review of the components and the overall 3D effect with my home theater system, thus far.
My 3D system:
Mitsubishi WD-73737 73 DLP HDTV
DirecTV HR-24 500 Satellite DVR receiver
Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Bluray player
Mitsubishi 3DA-1 Converter box and remote
Mitsubishi IR emitter Model #SSG-2100ME/ZA
Mitsubishi Active shutter 3D glasses Model #SSG-2100MG/ZA
As many of you know, the Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Bluray player already does native checkerboard output, so this device required no converter box to interface with the TV.
The question I wanted first answered was this: The directions for connecting the 3DA-1 adaptor show the device needing conversion to checkerboard (in my case, the DirecTV receiver) connecting to the 3DA-1, and the 3DA-1 connecting to the TV. This makes obvious sense. BUT, then the instructions indicate that you should connect the IR emitter to the output on the 3DA-1. I thought this odd, because then only one device at a time could be made to function with the Mits glasses, requiring a HDMI 1.3 switcher for multiple devices, and all 3D device needing to loop through the adaptor. I only have one other 3D device, the Panny Bluray, and it does not need to go through the 3DA-1 for checkerboard. So I remembered the IR emitter port on the back of the TV set itself, and thought I would try connecting the IR emitter there, hoping for a more global solution. The upshot: This approach DOES work! So you won't have to be plugging and unplugging your IR emitter, or worry about getting a HDMI switcher if your Bluray player outputs checkerboard. Do note though, that for some reason, the TV may turn off the 3D mode, when you are switching between sources. After you have switched from Satellite or cable viewing to 3D DVD, verify that the TV is still in 3D mode (no reverse needed).
Let's get to the good stuff. The adaptor seems well constructed and sturdy with it's own remote. It's simple to connect one device at a time for checkerboard conversion to your HDTV. The kit even comes with an extra HDMI cable. Nice touch.
The IR Mits 3D glasses are wonderfully light weight. They also come with a nice microfiber cleaning cloth. I had previously owned some XPand X102s for 3D Bluray watching, and I'll tell you, the Mits glasses weigh half as much, and are very much more comfortable. I easily watched Coraline last nite without any nose fatigue. The Mits glasses themselves appear to be a clone of the Samsung SSG-2100AB glasses. And actually, I had borrowed a pair of the Samsung glasses from a friend, I can report to you that the Mits glasses are indeed IDENTICAL in every way and function to the Sammy 3D battery glasses. Upshot: Go get yourself the Samsung glasses on eBay and save yourself a bundle, until the Mits glasses drop in price. They are the same glasses!
Mits 3D glasses performance with the IR emitter. I played around with various locations for the emitter, on top of the set, to the lower corner, etc. There doesn't seem to be any difference where I locate the emitterit all works great! The glasses themselves, are faintly green tinted, and seem to work very well with the emitter. I did not discern any issues with connectivity as I moved around my home theater (my furthest seating is about 12 feet from the TV). At no point side to side, was there an issue either. The glasses don't display any noticeable flutter (detectable lens switching). Very easy on the eyes. Yes, they do cut down on light somewhat, but that's what is so great about a DLP displayit can be very bright if you want it to be.
The DirecTV receiver now allows unfettered access to the 3D channelsno issues. I watched part of a Peter Gabriel concertwonderful! Then I verfied that my pre-recorded DVR World Cup matches played without issues. I know what I'll be watching this weekend!!
On to 3D Bluray on the Panny DMP-BDT300 : Blurays look great with the Mits glasses. I viewed parts of Cloudy, M vs. A, and Coraline. All were lovely to behold on the system. Did I mention how comfortable the glasses were? Are they as sturdy as the Xpand's. No. Howeverlet's put it this way. Do you let anyone throw your eyeglasses around or abuse them. I doubt it. Just keep an eye on the kids with these and they'll be fine. If you can't control your little monsters, you'd better get the Xpands. Note about X102s and Mits IR glasses. I don't have access to the X102's any longer as I returned them due to their overall heaviness and uncomfortable design for me personally. However, I can verify that I did have to use the 3D REVERSE setting on my TV when using the XPands to get the display correct. So I can assume that you cannot mix the Xpands and Mits glasses during a single viewing, as the Mits glasses do not require the TV REVERSE setting for 3D viewing.
What else can I say? My verdict: Mitsubishi has a great product on it's hands. A very nice intro to 3D. Now if they can just get the kit and adapter into wide release, everyone will be happy! I know I am thoroughly satisfied with it.
Let me know if you have questions. I'll try to answer them!
---Chris
With the Texas Instruments 3D info and a fair amount of optimism, that's what I expected.
