Staying at the top of the heap can be challenging. Electronics aficionados may remember impressing their neighbors with early surround-sound systems, which were a rarity back in the day when few people owned even a stereo TV. But in 2004 they may find that even the most modern system does not amaze—probably because one can acquire a serviceable 5.1-channel surround system at the supermarket. Big-screen TV pictures were cool for a while, too, until CompUSA began selling decent video projectors for less than $1,000.

Unlike watches or fine wine, electronics tend to become less expensive and more appealing to the mass market as they evolve.  While we will not likely see a gas-station attendant hording cases of 2000 vintage Chateau Lafite Rothschild or sporting a Patek Philippe on his wrist, he may have a home theater system nearly as good as what you considered state of the art only a couple of years ago.

In these times of furious technological evolution, how do you stay ahead of the Joneses, let alone people who drive rusted-out pickup trucks? Sensio has a suggestion: Literally add a new dimension to your video with the 3SD-100 3-D processor. Before you wince at the idea of wearing chintzy cardboard 3-D glasses and watching Creature from the Black Lagoon (my first experience with 3-D in 1978) over and over again, rest assured that Sensio has come up with a dramatically more sophisticated solution, although special glasses are still involved.

It is an elegant solution, too, one that requires adding just a single box to your home theater system. It connects between your DVD player and your TV or projector—the bigger the screen, the better.  The back panel is simple, so much so that you might briefly consider sending your installer on holiday before coming to your senses, sitting back and lighting up a robusto while someone else does the dirty work.

The processor comes with two pairs of glasses (more can be purchased separately). The glasses have sort of a Buddy-Holly-meets-the-Terminator look and are powered by a couple of camera batteries. An infrared emitter, like those used in remote controls, has to be set up near your TV screen; it tells the high-tech glasses when to open or close the electronic shutters covering each of your eyes.  The shutters alternate—right eye, then left eye—every sixtieth of a second so each eye sees a different image without perceiving the flickering.
Watch without the glasses, and you will see what appears to be an out-of-focus image. But put the glasses on and sharp three-dimensional images appear. As many people can use the system as are able to fit in the effective field of the infrared emitter—about 50 degrees to the left or right, in my experience.

Sensio 3-D relies on special glasses (left) to create a three-dimensional video effect. The glasses accept control signals from an infrared emitter (near right) connected to the main unit (far right). (Click images to enlarge)

Sensio warns that the system could cause fatigue of the eyes if used for too long a period, and also cautions that people who suffer from seizures probably should not use it.  If you wear eyeglasses, you may find it hard to get the special 3-D glasses to fit right, which diminishes the experience; Sensio says that only large eyeglasses are likely to present this problem.

After a couple minutes of setup, I match the system to a DreamVision Cinema Ten Pro projector and a Toshiba DVD player. As long as your DVD player has a component video output, it will work fine; if your DVD player offers a progressive-scan output option, you must turn it off.

The 3SD-100 provides a VGA-style RGB output to your video display. Most video projectors accept this  connection, but most TV sets demand component video. However, VGA-to-component video adapter boxes are available. Do not plan on using Sensio 3-D with your plasma TV, though, because plasma TVs emit a great deal of infrared light, which interferes with the operation of the glasses.
It takes me two minutes to plug everything together and another couple of minutes to adjust the synchronization of the glasses to the system. I play the five DVD titles Sensio provided with my review sample—mostly IMAX 3-D films, all of which provide a convincing stereoscopic effect. Objects seem to pop off the screen, and the 3-D tricks work as intended. Of course, as with all 3-D movies, some work better than others, but Sensio clearly passes the flinch test.  That is, put an unsuspecting person in your theater, and if you pick one of the more dramatic scenes from a Sensio-compatible DVD, he or she will flinch when an item shoots off the screen at them.

It is much more difficult to describe Sensio’s 3-D effect than it is to describe such relatively mundane aspects of video performance as color accuracy and brightness.  And the 3-D effect can be limited by the quality of the original film or video. However, the effect is realistic enough to cause even me to flinch initially, and it routinely astonishes guests who try it, although a few who wear corrective eyeglasses have a problem with the fit of the Sensio glasses.

Right now, there are only a handful of Sensio-compatible DVDs available, including one adult title. However, the company is negotiating to acquire rights to more movies, including Spy Kids 3-D and a number of James Cameron films.

While I suggest you take Sensio 3-D for a test drive before writing a check— some may find the experience fatiguing—the Sensio 3SD-100 works well and will absolutely impress any guest you invite into your theater.  Thankfully, you can enjoy life at the top of the home theater food chain once again.

DESCRIPTION
In-line 3-D decoder for displays with VGA-style RGB input (or for displays equipped with a converter)

CONNECTIONS
Component video input, component video output (DVD player pass-through), VGA-style DB-15 RGB input and output, 2 DIN-3 ports for infrared emitter

DIMENSIONS
6.3 x 17 x 13.5 inches (hwd)

PRICE/CONTACT
PRICE: $2,999
CONTACT: www.audioplusservices.com; 800.663.9352