Almost real, almost here: A Quick Guide to 3D Displays

Posted at: Thursday 28th August 2008 by Mark Mackay

Long overlooked by gaming, 3D images with depth are back - at Nvision 2008, manufacturers of 3D displays were out in force. We take a look at how depth is the new frontier for graphics.

ALIOSCOPY

The final approach to 3D technology we saw came from a branch of 3DMX Studios called Alioscopy. Named after its inventor, Pierre Allio, Alioscopy’s product is unique in the sense that it does not require glasses to view the view the image in 3D. Its ‘autostereoscopic’ hardware works by utilising a lenticular lens placed over a regular LCD panel. Although it may sound exotic, lenticular lenses are something that you may have seen before in postcards or toys, where you can see a different image, or different version of the same image when you tilt the picture from left to right. The lenticular lens used in the 1080p 3DHD-40 display utilises eight different shots of an image. According to Alioscopy, ‘it’s simply the number that works best’. Although the display has to be viewed from a 45 degree angle from the centre of the screen, the distance a viewer stands from the display is irrelevant meaning than many people can enjoy the display in all its 3D glory without worrying about looking like a plum wearing dodgy shades. It was impressive to see a 3D monitor in action without needing eyewear, however the Alioscopy isn't yet available for games, an issue that the company were present at Nvision in an attempt to remedy. Another issue with this technology may also be the cost, with the 3DHD-40 display costing in excess of $14,000.

GAMES SUPPORT

As is all too often the case with technologies which enhance games (SLI, the Matrox TripleHead2Go), not all games work with stereoscopic 3D, although the number varies depending on the exact way the technology is applied. Nvidia claims over 350 games support its GeForce Stereoscopic 3D drivers as implemented by the Viewsonic display and its active glasses. Just over 100 games support iZ3D’s technology, as long as you count those games who not been tested by the company itself but marked by users as compatible. Uber as it was, Alioscopy’s approach doesn't yet support any games.

Although all three products on show at Nvision used different versions of stereoscopy to create a 3D effect, there wasn’t a great deal of difference in the results created - although of course, with Alioscopy you can avoid wearing the Buddy Holly-style glasses. On balance, we felt that Nvidia and Viewsonic's active approach provided better depth than that of iZ3D's screen. Coupled with Nvidia's large list of current games support and the resources it has available, it looks at present that iZ3D is something of an underdog.

THE NEXT BIG THING?

It's clear that manufactures believe 3D monitors could be the next big thing in gaming and as usual all concerned were claiming their approach was best. Arguing for the passive approach, iZ3D claimed Nvidia’s active approach tires out the brain as it requires the processing of two alternate images at very fast speeds. However, because of the high costs involved in iZ3D’s displays Nvidia believes its approach will be the winner. Alioscopy believes its glasses-free approach will win out. What the competition will undoubtedly come down to will be who can implement the technology cheapest and get it on the shelves the fastest. Whoever comes out on top, those who have witnessed 3D displays in action will no doubt agree it can only mean good things for how we enjoy our games in the future.