Preamplifier that supports 3D movie

Most of the current pre/pros will support 3D. I think it's HDMI 1.4.

No audio pre-amp will handle 3D, because pre-amps are analogue only, so they have no digital processing built in.

You need a good quality pre-amp processor, such as the NAD T175.

If buying new I would wait till after CES as the latest will be released shortly there after. Otherwise look at as mentioned NAD, Marantz, Denon, Integra, etc.

Thanks for all the replies.

Are 3D capable preamplifiers all new models?

I have heard that sometime you can get great price on last generation (i.e. the one before the current generation) flagship models, and since those models were designed/made as flagship products, you can still get great quality and probably they provide better quality/price ratio than brand new ones. Are there such 3D capable preamplifiers models?

I was originally looking at Lexicon MC-12, and then found out that it is not capable of handling 3D movies.

Thanks!

Marantz AV7005.

Rotel RSP1570

If you have a dual HDMI output BD player, you don't need to upgrade yr current preamp.

Just send one HDMI to the preamp and a second one direct to the display.

The cheapest I have seen in my region (Asia) is the Pioneer BDP-LX55 which retails for less than US$400 bucks. Probably cheaper in the US. The Samsung equivalent is not available here.

I use an Oppo 95.

Thanks for the information. I think I have some idea about preamp now.

Here is another question regarding projector screen.
Using Da-lite 106" (diagonal) fixed frame screen as an example, when I search for them on Amazon, most of the screens are $1k+, while on bhphotovideo.com, most of the screens are in $500-$700. I doubt that for the same product, the price difference will be this big. So I am assuming there must be some differences in the screens they are selling.

My questions regarding the screens:
1. What specs should I look at for screen? I know gain is one of them. Is a gain around 1.0 (or slightly above 1.0) the best for a HT with no (or maybe a little) ambient light? I have read projectorcentral.com and know something about screen gain and projector throw distance, etc.
2. What other spec should I look at for a projector screen?
3. What are the good brands? Da-lite?
4. What is a good place to buy the screen?

Thanks!

You can try AVSForums.com They also have an online sales department.

The main problem is that active 3D projectors require as much brightness as possible

Have a look at the Dalite HP screen. If you can fit your projector in the right area (i.e. zero offset pointing directly at the centre of the screen), it should give you around 2.4 gain.

The downside is that higher gain screens tend to have a smaller viewing cone, so the gain tapers off when you are off axis.

Which projector are you using?

Thanks for the reply.

I don't have anything for my HT yet, I am just planning, trying to find out how my system should look like.

I am thinking about Panasonic PT-AE7000.

I didn't know that for 3D projection the screen needs to higher gain. I will do more research on that.

I guess if I buy the screen material and make the frame myself, it will be a lot cheaper?

I just registered at avsforum, and am reading some threads now.

Thanks.

Most projectors don't meet their "claimed" lumens rating when calibrated properly. I think the best (like JVC) could do 600-800 lumens (depending on zoom etc), and most were doing 300-500.

With 3D, some projectors "cheat" a little by using the brightest (non calibrated) mode for 3D, then use the tint in the 3D glasses to compensate a little.

But whatever lumens you have gets halved immediately with active 3D (since only one "eye" is active at any one time) and then that gets chopped further to account for switching between L an R images.

Be prepared to lose up to 70% of the lumens. That's why a lot of 3D projector owners prefer high gain screens.

ps if you can live with a 2 projector set up, I'd recommend an old JVC RS35/25/15/HD250 (preowned) for ultimate black/contrast and then get an Optoma HD33/3300 for 3D duties. This is IMHO the best of both worlds.

Most LCD/SXRD/DILA projectors aren't as well cut out for 3D (ghosting is still noticeable).

I heard that DLP projector has to be positioned (almost) exactly while LCD projector is much flexible in that. That's why I am heasitating to use a DLP projector.

For a 2 projector setup, you have to hang them up on the ceiling side by side? Or do you have to physically exchange the projector when you want to switch between them?

Thanks.

There are DLP projectors with lens shift as well. But these tend to be more expensive.

I use my DILA with zero offset on a shelf (lens aimed at the centre of the screen).

I would position the DLP with a fixed offset above or below the screen (ceiling mount)