Preamplifier that supports 3D movie


Hi,

I am very new to home theater system, and I am planning to set up my first home theater. Please bear with me if my question is too naive.

Are there any preamplifier that supports 3D movie? Based on what I have just learned, if preamp doesn't support 3D, then I would have to connect 3D blu-ray player directly to projector for 3D video, and connect audio using separate cable to the preamp.

My total budget for the whole system is $10K - $13K (or slightly higher). So I guess for preamp my budget will be $1k-$3k (depending on what I buy for the rest of the system). Don't mind suggestions for quality used equipment.

Thanks!
deeperblue
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.