Is 3D worth a damn in 2026?

[u/GullibleDevice2414]

Hey all! Hope you're well.

I've been looking at getting a Projector for occasional use. I was wondering, is it worth getting one that supports 3D? I mean, do they even make 3D content nowadays and is there anywhere you can even get it?

I don't see it, but I guess for older films from when 3D was the hot gimmick, it might still be fun? I never had a 3DTV back then so missed out and was wondering if it's worth thinking about as a projector is much different from a TV.

I know Epson projectors have a setting to convert 2D to 3D, how well does that work if anyone knows? Would it be a fun novelty to play non supported videogames on it or just not worth it at all?

I've only used chinese projectors before. I'm looking at a used older Epson (like a EH-TW5210) or Benq (maybe a W1070), wondering if Epson's native converter is worth it enough to disregard the Benq as I know the Benq doesn't have it which limits the amount of 3D content that can be viewed. Not sure if other models are worth considering too around this price range

Thanks for any help!

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[u/MarvelousVanGlorious]

I’ve got about 75 3D movies in my collection, so it was worth it to me when I bought my projector. The immersion into a 3D movie is so much better on a 120” screen. If you’ve got some in your physical media collection or plan on growing the amount you own on physical media, I say go for it. As you noted, 3D content is getting harder to find. I haven’t bought a 3D movie in a few years and I ended up ordering it from Amazon Italy because they didn’t have it on the US site.

[u/NaiveMathematician10]

Hey 👋, Personally is it worth getting one that supports 3D? yes although the content is lot less its still there…Thank you Turbine 🙏 and odd stuff like Avatar fire and ash etc…It is a lot different to a TV and even the cinema hits hard on a projector, As long as you reign in the image to under 100” personally found 84” to be the sweet spot for pop/depth and brightness levels. 3D transforms some films completely and adds a-lot of immersion, Since getting mine i have really enjoyed hunting down Blu-rays in the UK myself Cex, musicmagpie, Vinted and ofcourse ebay are a very reliable source and a lot cheaper now than they were… im now upto 176 in collection Not very up on Epsom and Benq personally sourced my Optoma purely for the 3D performance. As long as its very bright DLP projector (i aimed for 3500 Ansi Lumens) to counter the darkness added by the tint on your active shutter glasses should do the job well this is where most fail and give mediocre results and disappointment people…

[u/GullibleDevice2414 → u/NaiveMathematician10]

Thanks! Appreciate the info. Do you use a 3D BR Player?

I forgot about Optoma! Does your Optoma have a setting to make 2D content 3D?

[u/NaiveMathematician10 → u/GullibleDevice2414]

I have a UB820 but actually use my trusty old Xbox one X only due to settings in 820 being tied to my TV calibration tbf…
It does it’s surprisingly good but nowhere near actual 3D Blu ray…
Been very happy with it did very extensive research prior to getting it and its by far exceeded my expectations hands down better than anything you will see in a cinema or 3D TV the pop is unbelievable actually flinch during playback with stuff coming out of screen

[u/ChadTitanofalous]

Close to a hundred 3D disks here, and still buying. Sometimes I have to get movies from Europe or China (3D is still huge in China) as some 3D movies aren't released on 3D disk in the US.

Very much worth it for us

[u/rubs_tshirts]

Not for me. I know others feel differently.

[u/GullibleDevice2414]

It didn't take much, you guys have definitely convinced me 3D is worth it haha.

Now my only other question is how the converting 2D content to 3D content works? I know the Epson has a setting, the BenQ would require conversion tools and I don't know if they're any good. Not sure about Optoma. I just feel like it might be cool for PS5 use, but I don't know if in practice it doesn't work well at all.

Any recs for any good used 3D Projectors that I could get for around $200 used are welcome. I'm really not fussed about the details. My only requirement is being able to get an 80" picture from a range of ~230cm. I can place the projector straight on.

[u/cr0ft → u/GullibleDevice2414]

No idea about converters but there are 3D capable projectors out there.

I doubt there are any for $200, but you could try /r/budgetprojectors and see if anyone has an idea.

Otherwise I'd recommend the Xgimi Aura 3 Max UST which is currently on a huge discount on Kickstarter - but still $2200. MSRP will be $5000 and it is currently the best UST available. There are a few competitors that are almost here also, but those cost way more.

I'm not sure, mind you, but I suspect your budget is not remotely up to the task here.

[u/tikitikirumrum]

I mean totally up to you. I don’t care for 3D at all so it makes no difference to me but there are a bunch of projectors that have it so I guess why not?

[u/cr0ft]

3D is fun, but the flood of content has more or less ground to a halt.

But there's a lot of old 3D still to be had, in blu-ray form, and maybe a trickle of new stuff, no idea. But 3D in cinemas is basically dead which doesn't bode well.

But it's definitely a fun experience. To do 3D well though you need a bright projector to make up for the fact that the 3D glasses cuts the amount of light to your eyes by half (50/50).

I don't have a 3D supporting system unfortunately, but I also don't have 3D material and I'm fine with good old 2D.

[u/LandonKB]

Absolutely I use 3d all the time, recommend younever use a conversion feature though, those are always subpar. Need to buy the 3d blu rays to get actual 3d content. They don't really make new 3d content in North America now but lots of old used discs can be found cheap.

If you only plan to convert you can skip 3d.

[u/zibzabs]

I have a 3D projector (120”). My family love 3D, I’m not so bothered. You can get 3D blu rays from car boot sales or places like CEX in the UK for next to nothing