Some questions about 3D monitors/TV's/Projectors

SkScotchegg · 29 Jan 2011 at 17:39

Hi there, please can you answer a couple of questions for me:

You know if you buy a 3D monitor for your PC, do you have to buy nvidia glasses if you have an nvidia graphics and ATI glasses if you have an ATI graphics card?

Also if you have one of the glasses for either ati or nvidia can you use the same glasses to watch films on your TV and projector or do you need to buy different glasses for TV and different ones for projector?

Also, what makes TV/monitor/projector 3D, when your looking at the spec, does it just have to say 120hz?

And out of them 3, TV/monitor/projector, is there any of you that has seen 3D in all 3 formats and can say any pro's or con's about each one?

Thanks in advance.

McPhee · 29 Jan 2011 at 19:45

ATi's 3D stuff isn't on the market yet. nVidia have 3D Vision where you buy a 3D Vision kit and a 3D Vision certified monitor to use with an nVidia graphics card. They also have 3DTV Play, which works with modern 3D TVs and projectors (compatibility list available on nVidia's website). The ATi solution involves a HDMI 1.4 enabled 120Hz monitor (none currently on the market) and 3D glasses from one of their partners.

cmndr_andi · 29 Jan 2011 at 20:23

Hi there,

First thing o understand is that there is two main connections used for modern 3D systems - Dual Link DVI and HDMI v1.4.

Even though HDMI 1.4 is newer - its bandwidth is less than Dual link DVI and for 3D content it is restricted to 1080p@24Hz or 720p@60Hz. Meanwhile, dual link DVI can support 3D content up to 1200@60Hz.

If you are only planning to use 3D to watch 3D films - then HDMI v1.4 (1080p@24Hz) is enough. However, if you want to play games then you would need to switch to 720p@60Hz to run things smoothly, which is a significantly lower resolution than what dual link DVI can support - not to mention the native resolution of 3D TVs (1080p).

Hence, if you are gaming I would strongly suggest you go for a Dual link DVI solution.

As for which 3D ecosystem to go for - I would suggest going with Nvidia. Their system means that Nvidia are responsible for the graphics cards, the shutter glasses system the drivers (including getting games to work well with the system). In comparison, the AMD system relies on third party technology and doesn't seem to be as well supported - also the choice of monitors seems to be very limited.

here is a list of 3d (120hz) monitors that work with the nvidia 3d vision system. Here is a list which includes projectors.

SkScotchegg · 29 Jan 2011 at 23:52

Thanks so much for all that information, much appreciated! Sweet jesus, I didnt realise how complicated this was, thought it would be simple.

Well now you've told me all that am thinking I'd rather just have a normal monitor and TV without 3D technology for now....and just stick with a 3D projector.

The update that I last installed for my PS3 said "Thankyou, your PS3 is now 3D enabled" and I currently have a projector but its old and not 3D...so if I buy a projector that has 120hz then it is 3D enabled? then I can watch avatar in 3D through the projector using my PS3 to projector?

If that last sentence is correct then what kind of glasses do I need for the new 3D projector?

Thanks in advance.

cmndr_andi · 30 Jan 2011 at 00:20

If you want to run 3D blu rays off a PS3 which connects directly to the projector - then you will want a projector which supports 3D via HDMI 1.4a. Each of these projectors work with only their own brand glasses (usually active shutter).

Looking at the prices of these projectors (unless I have missed a cheap one) this is a very expensive option. You would be better off buying a cheaper 3D projector that works with Dual Link DVI and Nvidia 3D vision (plus a current-gen Nvidia graphics card if you don't already have one). This would not only cost less, but allow you to play PC games in 3D on the projector.

SkScotchegg · 30 Jan 2011 at 03:46

I hear what your saying but my graphics card is ATI and I didnt really want to upgrade it because its only 6 months old but I guess maybe I'll have to lol.

The reason I posted was because I didnt know much about 3D technology and both my 20" widescreen samsung monitor and my Sanyo 100" projector both need upgrading coz they're both over 5 years old, and they're both still sweet and could make do another year, but I just thought why dont I buy a brand new 27" widescreen HD monitor with 3D and also a brand new 1080p projector with 3D.

I've only seen one film in 3D and that was avatar when it came out at cinema, and the film and the 3D technology both blew me away. I fell in love with 3D that day.

I think it would be good if OCUK started selling some 3D projectors and glasses to go with em, would make things easier.

I've looked on OCUK shop and I can see what you mean, if I was to buy these three components would I have everything I need?
glasses = http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-018-NV&groupid=17&catid=1851&subcat=
monitor = http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-043-BQ&groupid=17&catid=1851&subcat=
gfx = http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-143-GW&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1010

I been looking at the projectors on that list you gave me but howcome they only go up to 1280x720 resolution? Does that mean if I want a 3D projector I cant have a proper 1080p HD one as well?

EDIT: I did a search online and found some 3D projectors on other websites which say they're full 1080p but are you saying if I went the nvidia way then I could use the same glasses I use for the nvidia setup with the projector so wouldnt have to buy different glasses? Also can you give me the name of a projector you'd recommend then if I went down that route? I really wanted the projector to do proper 1080p at 1920x1080 resolution but also be able to do 3D as well because I've got thousands of DVD's that I will still want to watch and probably only have avatar at the time which is in 3D.

Shaolin Chicken · 30 Jan 2011 at 09:36

I have a 3D monitor that is certified for use with ATI graphics cards.
It is HD3D certified which is the new AMD 3D specification.
Ideally you need an AMD 5 or 6 series card as these are HD3D ready
The monitor in question is the v3d241wm-led.
It is 23.6 inch led backlit and 120Hz
Comes with wired 3d glasses and an IZ3D driver.
Very nice it is too.

cmndr_andi · 30 Jan 2011 at 12:22

SkScotchegg said:
I've looked on OCUK shop and I can see what you mean, if I was to buy these three components would I have everything I need?
glasses = http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=1851&subcat=
monitor = http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=1851&subcat=
gfx = http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...14&subcat=1010

Yup - that lot will all work together fine.

SkScotchegg said:
I been looking at the projectors on that list you gave me but howcome they only go up to 1280x720 resolution? Does that mean if I want a 3D projector I cant have a proper 1080p HD one as well?

I don't think there are any 3D@1080p projectors that work with Nvidia 3D vision yet. That said - when projecting a movie, 720p should be plenty and these projectors are pretty good value. Also, when you run a projector with Nvidia 3D vision you can use the same Nvidia 3D glasses as are used with the monitor.

If you want a true 3D@1080p projector - then there are projectors on the market that do this. They have a HDMI v1.4 connection, their own glasses and cost several thousand pounds. If you have found a cheap one then please make sure that it runs at 1080p when in 120Hz mode - not all do.

If you are looking for a 27in 3D monitor - then the upcoming Acer HN274H is one to keep an eye on.