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What Is Needed To Watch 3D?

  1. You need a TV that is capable of displaying 3D

    A TV that is capable of displaying 3D is a TV that has the ability to display a separate full-color image for each of your eyes. This is unlike the old-fashioned red/green system (also know as anaglyph) used in the past. The images are slightly different images for the left and right eyes. Mitsubishi has been offering TVs with the ability to display 3D images for several years. Below are the Mitsubishi model numbers of the TVs that can display 3D:

    1. 2007 3D Ready TVs (the feature is named FX Gaming):
      • WD-57833
      • WD-65833
      • WD-73833
    2. 2008 3D Ready TVs:
      • WD-60C8
      • WD-65C8
      • WD-73C8
      • WD-60735
      • WD-65735
      • WD-73735
      • WD-65736
      • WD-73736
      • WD-65835
      • WD-73835
      • L65-A90
    3. 2009 3D Ready TVs:
      • WD-60C9
      • WD-65C9
      • WD-73C9
      • WD-60737
      • WD-65737
      • WD-73737
      • WD-82737
      • WD-65837
      • WD-73837
      • WD-82837
    4. 2010 3D Ready TVs:
      • WD-60C10
      • WD-65C10
      • WD-73C10
      • WD-60638
      • WD-65638
      • WD-73638
      • L75-A91
    5. 3D TVs:
      • WD-60738
      • WD-65738
      • WD-73738
      • WD-82738
      • WD-65838
      • WD-73838
      • WD-82838

    The models listed above as 3D Ready display 3D in a format called Checkerboard. These TVs require the source device to supply the 3D signal to already be converted to the Checkerboard format. Most of the 3D signals you will encounter today will not be Checkerboard. If the source device such as your Blu-ray player, cable box, satellite receiver, or game console cannot convert the 3D signal to the Checkerboard format then you will need some form of adapter that will process this conversion between the source device and the TV. The TVs listed above as 3D TVs display and also accept signals in the Checkerboard format, but they will also accept signals in the Side-by-Side 3D signal format as well. Again, like the 3D Ready TVs listed above, if the source device is not able to convert the 3D signal to either Checkerboard or Side-by-side formats, then you will need an adapter between the source device and the TV. Please return to this web site for announcements and details concerning software upgrades.

  2. You need a source device to provide a 3D signal

    A source device to provide a 3D signal is a device such as a 3D Blu-ray player, or in short, a piece of equipment connected to your TV that is able send 3D signals to your TV. Listed below are the most common types of source devices that can or will be able to send 3D signals. However, there may be other types of devices introduced in the future. Watch Source video.

    3D Blu-Ray player

    When purchasing a Blu-ray player for 3D, make sure it is marked as a 3D Blu-ray player. If it is not marked 3D, it cannot supply a 3D signal to your TV. In addition, the Blu-ray disc itself must be marked 3D. Yes, 3D Blu-ray players can play regular 2D Blu-ray discs, just as Mitsubishi 3D and 3D Ready TVs can display 2D content. 3D-enabled Blu-ray players simply add the ability to play a 3D Blu-ray disc and send a 3D signal when playing these discs. Blu-ray players that are not labeled as 3D cannot send a 3D signal and cannot play 3D-enabled Blu-ray discs.

    Cable Box

    Many of the high definition cable boxes already in homes today will be able to receive and send 3D channels in the Side-by-Side and/or Top-Bottom 3D signal format. Existing high definition cable boxes will be upgraded in consumers' homes by their cable company when the cable company is ready to deliver 3D channels. If you are a cable TV subscriber, you will need to check with your local cable TV provider to find out the details.

    Satellite Receivers

    Again, like cable boxes, many of the existing high definition satellite receivers will be able to be updated by your satellite service provider to deliver 3D channels in the Side-by-side and possibly Top-bottom 3D signal formats. If you are a satellite TV subscriber, you will need to check with your satellite TV provider to find out the details.

    Video Game consoles

    Sony has provided upgrades to the Playstation® 3 gaming console to provide the ability to play selected games in 3D. They also recently announced updates that will allow the Playstation 3 to play 3D Blu-ray discs and send 3D signals*. The upgrade for 3D game playing has been tested and shown to be compatible with the Mitsubishi 3D adapter. It should be noted that, as of this writing, some games for the PS3 such as James Cameron's Avatar have been written to provide a 3D signal in several 3D formats without this upgrade. The setting for the Checkerboard 3D display format has been shown to be compatible with all Mitsubishi 3D Ready and 3D TVs. While a formal announcement from other game console manufacturers have not been made, James Cameron's Avatar game for Xbox 360 also has the compatible Checkerboard 3D format setting.

    Home Theater PCs

    NVIDIA has had PC graphics cards and drivers for several years that will play 3D video and convert PC games to 3D. Also a company called DDD has software drivers named "Tri-Def" 3D. There are settings in these systems that are compatible with all Mitsubishi 3D Ready and 3D TVs. Please visit the NVIDIA 3D Vision site or the Tri-Def web site for detailed system requirements and updates to the drivers that may allow you to play 3D Blu-ray discs in 3D.

  3. You need 3D glasses that match the way your TV displays 3D

    A frequent question we hear is "Can I use the 3D Glasses I took home from the movie theater?" In most cases, no. The glasses used in most movie theaters use what are called passive polarized glasses. For these glasses to work, the screen itself must have special polarized properties which is not common in current home HDTVs and adds a significant cost to the TV. Watch Glasses video.

    Most 3D and 3D Ready TVs require Active Shutter Glasses. These glasses allow one eye to see the image while the other eye is blocked, then the glasses switch and allow the other eye to see the image and block the first eye. The number of "views" is based on the way the TV shows the image for each eye. Mitsubishi TVs show the image for each eye 60 times per second for a total of 120 views per second combined.

    It is very important that the active shutter glasses are synchronized to the way the TV shows each eye's view. The most common methods for synchronizing glasses are with IR (infrared) signals or with DLP Link-type glasses. However, it is possible to use other methods such as radio frequencies (RF) to synchronize the glasses. When using IR or RF you need some form of emitter or transmitter to send these signals from the TV to the glasses. DLP Link uses special white signals in the actual video or picture to synchronize the glasses.

    When using IR or RF type glasses, the glasses must match the IR emitter or RF transmitter. The emitter or transmitter must connect to the TV or be built into the TV. Mitsubishi uses a VESA (an industry standards group) standard jack to connect the IR emitter or RF transmitter. This gives you a choice of IR emitter/glasses systems from several manufacturers. Other manufacturers will build an IR emitter into their TV. However, at the current time there is no industry standard IR Emitter signal protocol, so when the emitter is built into the TV you can use only the glasses supplied by the TV manufacturer. There are efforts to create an industry standard in the future, however this standard is not currently available.

    DLP Link is a method to synchronize the glasses without the need of a separate emitter. Instead the TV will insert a special white signal into the video at a very fast rate. This signal will synchronize the glasses. This system is unique to DLP TVs and DLP video projectors, however, all DLP Link glasses should be compatible with a DLP Link compatible TV. All of Mitsubishi 3D Ready and 3D TVs are DLP Link compatible.

  4. You may need an adapter to convert the 3D format from one type of format to another type

    There are several 3D signal formats. The 3D signal is the electronic information that is actually carried on the cable between your source device and your TV. Watch Get 3D video. While there are a lot of 3D signal formats, the most common will fall into one of three types:

    1. Frame Packing - mostly sent by Blu-ray players and game consoles. This is a very high resolution signal that carries a lot of detail.
    2. Side-by-Side - mostly sent by satellite receivers and cable boxes.
    3. Top-Bottom - mostly sent by cable boxes and possibly by satellite receivers. This formate is also referred to as Over-Under.
    4. While the Checkerboard 3D format can be used to send a 3D signal over the connecting cable, this is not expected to be a common format from most source devices. However, new select Panasonic Blu-ray players have a setting to convert the 3D signal to the Checkerboard format that is compatible with all Mitsubishi 3D Ready and 3D TVs.
    5. For your Mitsubishi, when you need an adapter, you have two choices:
      1. 3DA-1 - this contains the 3D Signal Adapter, AC Power Adapter, Remote Control with battery, one HDMI cable and one Synchronization interconnect cable for the 3D glasses. Additional items that are needed but not included with this product are Active Shutter 3D Glasses, an IR Emitter or RF Transmitter (if you the glasses you select are the IR or RF type) and an HDMI cable to connect between your source device and the 3D Signal Adapter.
      2. 3DC-1000 - this is the 3D Starter Pack and it includes a 3D signal adapter, AC Power Adapter, Remote Control with battery, one HDMI cable, one 3D Glasses Synchronization Interconnect Cable, two Pairs of Active Shutter Glasses each with a battery, one IR emitter and a Blu-ray starter disc of select 3D video content.

  5. So how do I connect the equipment together?

    1. If the source device supplies a 3D signal that is compatible with your Mitsubishi TV (See Figure 1):

      1. Then you just connect an HDMI cable between the source device and the TV.

      2. If you are using 3D Glasses that are synchronized by an IR Emitter or RF Transmitter, you connect this emitter/transmitter to the VESA 3D Glasses Sync jack on the TV. Make sure to place the emitter/transmitter in a position where there are no obstructions between the emitter/transmitter and the glasses.

        Figure 1

        In this connection you will need to turn on the 3D mode in the TV when you are watching a 3D signal and turn the mode off again when you are watching a normal 2D signal. For 2007 Mitsubishi 3D-Ready models (833 Series TVs) you will need to change the name the input on the TV to "GAME" to view 3D.

      3. For Mitsubishi models listed as 3D Ready, the source device must supply the Checkerboard 3D signal format. You also may need to select this signal format (you will need to check the instructions for the source device for this procedure).
      4. For Mitsubishi models listed as 3D TVs, the source device must supply either the Checkerboard or Side-by-side 3D signal formats. Again, you may need to select this output on your source device. Please visit the 3D information section of our web site for any updates regarding compatible 3D signals.

    2. If the Mitsubishi 3D Adapter is required (See Figure 2): When your source device sends a 3D signal that requires the use of the Mitsubishi 3D signal adapter, you can leave this adapter connected all the time. When a normal 2D signal is being presented, the adapter will allow this signal to pass through unaltered. When a 3D signal that needs conversion is sent, depending on the signal itself, the adapter will automatically convert the signal to the Checkerboard 3D format. When the adapter cannot automatically identify the incoming 3D signal you can manually turn on the signal conversion.

      1. First you connect the HDMI out of the source device to the HDMI IN connection on the adapter.
      2. Then you connect the HDMI OUT on the adapter to the HDMI input on your TV. Remember, in the 833 series TVs, you must name this input "GAME" to view 3D.
      3. You also connect the VESA 3D Glasses Emitter jack on the TV to 3D Glasses IN jack on the adapter.

      4. If you are using an IR Emitter or an RF Transmitter to synchronize your glasses, you then connect this emitter/transmitter to the 3D Glasses Sync OUT jack on the adapter.

        Figure 2

        This step is not required when you are using DLP Link glasses.

      5. Place the emitter/transmitter in a position where there is nothing to obstruct the signal between the emitter/transmitter and the glasses.

    Multiple Devices

    1. If all 3D source devices are compatible with the TV:

      1. Connect each device directly to the TV HDMI inputs. Remember, for Mitsubishi 833 Series TVs you must name the input "GAME" to view 3D.
      2. Connect a single emitter/transmitter directly to the 3D Glasses Emitter jack on the TV.

    2. If an adapter is required for multiple 3D source devices (See Figure 3):

      When using multiple 3D Adapters from Mitsubishi, each adapter connects the same way between each source device and the TV except in the 3D Glasses Sync interconnect cable.

      1. Here you connect the cable from the 3D Glasses Emitter jack on the TV to the emitter input on the first 3D adapter. Remember on 833 Series TVs you must name the input "GAME" to view 3D.
      2. Then you connect the emitter output of the first 3D adapter to the emitter input on the second 3D adapter.
      3. If you have another 3D adapter you continue this chain to the last 3D adapter and you connect the emitter output jack of the last 3D adapter to the emitter/transmitter unit.
      Figure 3

    3. When using an AV Receiver or HDMI switching device and one 3D Adapter (See Figure 4):

      1. The first thing you need to do is establish if any of your 3D source devices require HDMI 1.4a 3D support in the AV receiver. You will need to check the specifications of the source device for this information. If the source device provides checkerboard 3D format, HDMI 1.4a is not required. If the source device provides side-by-side or top-bottom 3D format, then HDMI 1.4a may or may not be required (this would be a choice made by the designers/programmers of that source device). If the source device provides only Frame Packing (aka Full HD 3D) then HDMI 1.4a 3D support is required.
      2. Then you need to check the specifications of your AV receiver. If any of your source devices require HDMI 1.4a 3D support then your AV receiver must state in the specification HDMI 3D support. If this is not in the specifications, the AV receiver does not support 3D and the source device will not send a 3D signal. If your source devices do not required HDMI 3D support (they send checkerboard, side-by-side or top-bottom without the requirement of HDMI 3D support) then you need to make sure your AV receiver and handle HD signals up to 1080p.
      3. Connect the 3D Adapter to the TV and 3D glasses emitter/transmitter directly as shown in the simplest connection method. Remember, for Mitsubishi 833 Series TVs you must name the input "GAME" to view 3D.
      4. Connect the HDMI output of your AV Receiver or switching device to HDMI input on the adapter (Special note for 833 Series TVs - if your AV receiver supports HDMI Control aka CEC, turn that feature off in the AV receiver's menu).
      5. Connect each 3D source device to a HDMI input on the AV Receiver or switching device.
      Figure 4

    Operating the Mitsubishi 3D Adapter:

    1. Power:

      1. Ordinarily the 3D adapter will turn on automatically when the source device starts sending a signal on the HDMI cable. When the source device is turned off the 3D adapter will turn off automatically.
      2. Some cable boxes and satellite receivers always send a signal even when the box/receiver is in standby - here the signal is a black screen. In these cases the automatic power function cannot operate but you can turn on and off the adapter using the POWER button on the adapter or the remote control for the adapter.

    2. Setup for automatic operation:

      1. The 3D adapter has three 3D mode settings. These are:

        1. 3D Mode: NORMAL - the automatic mode
        2. 3D Mode: TOP BOTTOM - the manual mode for top/bottom 3D format signals
        3. 3D Mode: SIDE-BY-SIDE - the manual mode for side-by-side 3D format signals
        4. There is an onscreen display to confirm these settings
      2. The modes are cycled by pressing the 3D mode button on the front of the adapter or on the remote control for the adapter.

      3. In most conditions you would leave the 3D mode set to NORMAL. In this mode when you are watching: (Note: in the 833 Series TVs, the 3D mode in the TV is called FX GAMING).

        1. Standard 2D signal - the adapter allows this signal to pass through unaltered. Make sure the 3D mode in your TV is turned off.
        2. Checkerboard 3D format signals - the adapter will allow this type of 3D format to pass through unaltered. Make sure to turn on the 3D mode in your TV and activeate your 3D glasses to view this program. Remember to turn off the 3D mode in your TV when the program is finished.
        3. HDMI 3D as specified by HDMI 1.4a - the adapter will automatically detect these signals and convert these signals to the checkerboard 3D format. If you have not turned on the 3D mode in your TV, the adapter will display a message: Turn On 3D Mode In TV. Turn on the TV's 3D mode, activate your 3D glasses to watch this program. When the 3D signal ends and returns to 2D the adapter will automatically stop converting the signal. Remember to turn off the 3D mode in the TV.

    3. Manual Operation when the 3D signal is not HDMI 1.4a 3D signals:

      1. For checkerboard 3D format signals, leave the adapter set to 3D Mode NORMAL. Turn on the 3D mode in the TV and activate your 3D glasses. Remember to turn off the 3D mode in the TV after the program finishes.
      2. For Top-Bottom or Side-by-Side 3D formats that are not HDMI 3D standards, press the 3D MODE button on the adapter or the remote control for the adapter to cycle to the correct format. Then turn on the 3D mode in your TV and activate the 3D glasses. At the end of the 3D program remember to press the 3D MODE button on the adapter or the remote control for the adapter to cycle back to 3D Mode NORMAL and turn off the 3D mode in the TV.

      * See http://us.playstation.com/corporate/about/press-release/scea-announces-groundbreaking-products.html regarding the PS3 announcement.
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