Around 700,000 Samsung DLP HDTV owners can’t view 3D content from DirecTV and cable providers. The reason: a special adapter is required to convert cable and satellite 3D signals to the DLP compatible “checkerboard” format. Samsung does not offer one.

Mitsubishi began shipping its 3DC-1000 “checkerboard” converter this month, however, it is designed to only be used with its branded DLP 3D TVs. (For an explanation go here.) A company called Tru3D is now offering an adapter kit which permits using the Mitsubishi 3D-1000 with 15 models of 2007 and 2008 Samsung DLP 3D capable rear projectors (see the list below).

We spoke with Tony Welch, CTO of Tru3D. His company’s kit consists of the Mitsubishi 3DC-1000 and a box that is preloaded with an EDID code of a Mitsubishi 3D TV that “spoofs” the converter into passing an HD 3D signal from an cable box, DirecTV box or Blu-ray player to a legacy Samsung 1080p DLP HDTV.

The Tru3D adapter kit costs $289.99 plus shipping. It includes the ($100 retail)  Mitsubishi 3DC-1000, an EDID “spoofer” with preloaded code and all necessary cables. Compatible glasses (such as XpanD 102), required for viewing 3D are not included.

The 3D TV adapter kit only supports the following Samsung 3D DLP HDTV models:

• Samsung HL-T5076S 50″ 1080P DLP
• Samsung HL-T5087S 50″ 1080P) LED DLP
• Samsung HL-T5089S 50″ 1080P LED DLP
• Samsung HL50A650 50″ 1080P DLP
• Samsung HL-T5676S 56″ 1080P DLP
• Samsung HL-T5687S 56″ 1080P LED DLP
• Samsung HL-T5689S 56″ 1080P LED DLP
• Samsung HL56A650 56″ 1080P DLP
• Samsung HL-T6176S 61″ 1080P DLP
• Samsung HL-T6187S 61″ 1080P LED DLP
• Samsung HL-T6189S 61″ 1080P LED DLP
• Samsung HL61A650 61″ 1080P) DLP
• Samsung HL61A750 61″ 1080P LED DLP
• Samsung HL67A750 67″ 1080P LED DLP
• Samsung HL72A650 72″ 1080P DLP
• Samsung HL-T7288W 72″ 1080P DLP

Ordering information is at the Tru3D website.

Note: Panasonic’s 3D compatible DMP-BD300 and DMP-BD350 Blu-ray players  can output in the checkerboard format and are compatible to listed Samsung TVs allowing the playback of 3D Blu-ray discs without the adapter kit. However you will still need the Tru3D kit if you want to view DirecTV or cable 3D content.

Industry sources indicate (lower priced) cable/satellite solutions for listed Samsung HDTVs may become available in the near future. We will publish an update, if and when they are announced.

Edited By Michael Fremer

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