3D: Getting to Know the Hardware
By Stephen Hopkins
Taking the plunge into 3D home entertainment? Here are some components you'll need to know about.

After last week’s class on 3D: Getting to Know the Basics, we’re moving on to the nuts and bolts ... the hardware you’ll need to to get your own 3D theater up and running in time for poison arrows, missiles, and Smurf-a-hontas to fly past your Berklines.

Here are some FAQs.

Will I need a new display to enjoy 3D? If so, why?
To avoid a 3D format war, HDMI Licensing, LCC has released the 3D portion of the HDMI 1.4 spec for incorporation by all licensees, not just consortium members.



The spec outlines “Full HD 3D” as being able to present a 1080p frame at 60Hz refresh to EACH eye. Since each eye sees its own frame, and everyone I know has two eyes, this means the combined signal will need to support 1080p at 120Hz.

While many current displays are capable of refreshing at a 120Hz or higher, 120Hz INPUT signals are not supported by the current HDMI 1.3a spec. There are other more technical issues regarding LCD response time and processing power, but the 120Hz input requirement is the main consideration. Other lower resolutions outside of “Full HD 3D” may be added in the HDMI 1.4a spec, but that’s mostly speculation.

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