3D TriDef - For Those That Want More 3D (1 Viewer)

[Lou Sytsma]

Hope it's OK to post this here as it is not Bluray related but this forum has become the defacto place to post about 3D.


To save time and, hopefully, nip in the bud posts that disparage 2D to 3D conversion software, this post is not meant for you.


However, if you are like me and enjoy 3D viewing and are frustrated by the lack of 3D content, there is a piece of software - that goes by the name of Tridef - that you may want to check out. You need to be able to attach your display device to your PC's video card output to use the software.


Background


This heads up is done solely with the intent of making others aware of this available solution to more 3D viewing. In no way do I stand to gain anything by mentioning Tridef. Nor do I guarantee to those that try the software out will be happy with the results. Caveat emptor and all that.


What I can stand by, are my experiences with this software. It should be noted that my display is, by today's standard, an aged Samsung DLP LED TV which provides near ghost free 3D viewing. I purchased Tridef software with the original intent of playing PC games in 3D on my TV. Which it does very well - with the usual tinkering that PC games and 3D require.


Added bonus Tridef supports 3D PC gaming at 1080p @60Hz versus Nvidia's 720P @60Hz.


3D Viewing


An unexpected bonus was discovering that Tridef includes a 2D to 3D conversion media player that works with DVDs and most video formats - avi, mp4, mkv. Sadly this does not extend to Blu-rays. To run the software is very easy. Just start up the Tridef software and click on the DVD icon. If you have a DVD to watch load it up. If you have a video file, click Cancel on the popup message and then select the file you wish to watch.


There are two controls on the Tridef player that allow you to select how strong the 3D will be and how much of the image should be assigned to the foreground. You end up with an image that is very much like those native 3D titles that extend the depth of the image so you get that looking into a window feel.


If your display is prone to ghosting with 3D content already, Tridef will probably not be for you.


Word of warning - as we all know, 3D support is diminishing across the board. Not only in hardware but software too. And Tridef is no different. Their software updates have slowed radically to the point where it may soon be considered stopped. This doesn't affect their media player - though hopes for Bluray support at some point is no longer likely.


2D to 3D conversion software is generally dismissed but my experience differs. It has been mostly a positive one and it's great to be freed from rewatching my small 3D library over and over.


Is it perfect? No. But with a little experimenting, I've been able to minimize ghosting and enjoy a very satisfactory image. It's great to watch current TV shows like the Flash, Arrow, and Sleepy Hollow in 3D! Just don't expect any sort of pop out moments. And results vary with each piece of content.


Tridef costs $40 US and for me it has been a more than worthwhile investment for PC gaming and content viewing.


Your mileage will probably vary but I wanted to share knowledge of Tridef with those that are looking for ways to expand their use of 3D.


If there are any questions I'll do my best to answer.


Cheers!

 

[fxrh]

I used Tridef for years, first with my HTPC and then later when it was included as the 2D-to-3D converter in my Samsung BD6700 Blu-ray player. (It converted Blu-rays as well as DVDs via the Blu-ray player.)


I also thought that the conversion was good, but I eventually went with Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra as my preferred converter.


One of my gripes with Tridef was that there was no mention that it wouldn't convert most commercially available DVDs because of copy protection. I found a workaround for that issue, but it annoyed me that this restriction was not stated in promotional materials for the software. I remember being frustrated when I would get the popup saying that the DVD I wanted to watch was copy protected -- as if that should prohibit me from watching a converted DVD.


My annoyance was compounded when I called Tridef, asking what the issue was, and the rep "played dumb" and failed to provide me with a straightforward answer.


Nevertheless, it's a decent product, and I appreciate and support your recommendation -- with the caveat that most commercial movies will have to be ripped to allow Tridef to do the 2D-to-3D conversion (if you are using a PC -- there was no issue with the Blu-ray player).

 

[Lou Sytsma]

Thanks for your feedback fxrh.


Can you expand on why you prefer Cyberlink? Does the conversion work for Blu-rays? I'll check out the free trial this weekend - see there's a 55% discount available until Jan 27th.

 

[fxrh]

I prefer Cyberlink because (at least on my HTPC) it proved to be more stable than Tridef and also produced better 3D. At a certain point I gave up on Tridef because every time I updated to the latest Nvidia driver it would stop working. I can't say that Cyberlink was all that easy to get working either, but the latest couple of versions (from about 12 on) have been much more stable. Hope you like it.

 

[Lou Sytsma]

Interesting for me it's been nothing but stable. Running Windows 8.1. I'm a little leery of Cyberlink because word of mouth says this comes with a lot of invasive bloatware.


If that's the only issue I'll stick with TriDef. I had assumed Cyberlink might be technically superior in some manner.

 

[fxrh]

Sorry to hear that you are having problems. I've read elsewhere that Windows 8.1 doesn't work too well with 3D software. My setup uses Windows 7.


I forgot to mention that Cyberlink does 2D-to-3D conversion on Blu-rays as well as DVDs.

 

[Lou Sytsma]

I forgot to mention that Cyberlink does 2D-to-3D conversion on Blu-rays as well as DVDs.

Ooooooo! That's worth having.


No problems yet - haven't installed it. Just relaying ancedotal feedback I've been seeing on the web.

 

[Lou Sytsma]

Well I did some BluRay conversion testing with Cyberlink but found it less satisfying than TriDef's DVD conversion. Expected the increased resolution of BluRay to provide a better 3D image but it did not. I don't know if the softer image of DVDs are better for 3D Conversion or if TriDef's software does a better job of conversion. All I can judge are the results.


Mayhap I need to do more tweaking with the Cyberlink software because I found its conversion of video and DVD files of lessor quality too.