DIY 3D home cinema for $1 (and a spare projector)

By using the filters from a pair of RealD 3D glasses from the cinema you can easily create your own 3D Home cinema. I happened to have my old projector lying around after upgrading so I thought I'd demonstrate how simple it is.
RealD 3D glasses are circularly polarized so to make a home-cinema that works with these glasses you also need circularly polarised filters for your projectors. By opening up a pair of glasses you get two filters for about a buck. (If bought at the cinema.) Place each filter infront of the projectors so that the light shines out through them as if the light was shining out of your eyes. When viewing, you wear the glasses normally so the light passes the other way through the filters.
I recommend you use a program like Stereoscopic Player from 3dtv to display a test-image on both projectors for alignment.
It's this easy. No magic, no expensive stuff. (Except that extra projector ofcource.)
Oh, and you need a video-card with dual-monitor support.
One thing I forgot to mention in the video: You need a silverscreen or a reflective screen. Regular white will not work. The reflective surface will allow the light to return with the same polarization as the projector gave it so it is absolutely essential. If you already own a screen that is somewhat reflective for daylight viewing then it should work.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• realD
• 3d
• home
• cinema
• diy
• stereoscopic
• polarized

[efendy2]

how to make one for a dollar > umm... you need an extra projector along with the other one (everybody has got projectors lying around anyway) > oh, you need a graphics card with two hdmi or dvi outputs or vga > I almost forgot to mention you need a silver screen too!

dont want to discourage anybody or slander the video but it's not as cheap as it's presented here. for proof of concept it's fine but for a working system you need to spend some money. but if you get it working it's the best thing!

[1kreature]

@efendy2 The title is ment to be sarcastic. Sorry if someone didn't get that.

That being said, I actually have 4 projectors. 3 are "retired" but still work fine. If you go for quality when you buy a projector you will find they last longer than the technology. You end up replacing them based on resolution and input-options rather than function.

[Bergen79]

What a brilliant idea! Do you have any trouble with the filters getting hot (even melting?) in front of the lens?

[1kreature]

@Bergen79 No problems with the filters. Proj was 2100 ansi. My new projector is 2500 ansi and it works good too.

[Rogergarymichael]

I have just seen your video actually playing a film back! And after reading the description I am even more excited! Sorry for all the questions. Did you paint your NSF screen black twice before painting with the Matt silver? Not sure which co our to paint it before finally painting silver. I appreciate your time - many thanks :-)

[1kreature]

@Rogergarymichael I used matte white primer. You will cover it completely so it doesn't really matter.

[1kreature]

@minners71 LOL. Better cameras may give better image, but in the end, all you need to create 3D is images shot from different angles and a way to deliver those TWO images to the eyes seperately.

Oh, and I repeat: The effect in this video is and has never been 3D, nor have I ever claimed so. They just show the channel-seperation I achieve using RealD 3D glasses polarizers on a silver-screen. Notice how you are the only one not getting it? Hehe...

[1kreature]

@Rogergarymichael I painted it with matte white primer.

Make sure you sand it down between the coats to get it nice and even. (Use an electric sander or your arm will fall off.)

[efendy2]

@1kreature Was this video meant to be a joke? If yes then I would call it sarcastic. otherwise, it's a misleading title. That's what I meant basically. You might have 4 projectors. But it doesnt mean people will have more than one. Actually most people don't have any projectors. and no, I won't tell you how many projectors I have. I am not here to brag.

[tecneek253]

I have 2 i just got a new 1 soooo gonna try this

[Rogergarymichael]

Lol will do! Thanks for your advice! Can't wait to get started :-)

[Rogergarymichael]

Sorry should have said Mdf screen not NSF.