PC 3D GLASSES MAKES THINGS STAND OUT
Graphics and sound make your computer come
alive. Today's eye popping images splashed onto big computer displays,
coupled with 3D sound effects and music that completely envelope you,
all make for a total experience. Yet the one element that's lacking
for the ultimate visual experience is depth. We live in a three
dimensional world and perceive that third dimension with our
stereoscopic vision. Cover up one eye and everything becomes flat. You
can't really tell how close an object is to you, or to other objects.
Through perspective, you can get a feel for distance but it's exact
location is at best a guess. Watching your computer's screen is like
perceiving the world through one eye.
 A new pair of 3D glasses from 3DWorld
(www.x3dworld.com) allow you to view images in three dimensions on any
standard computer display. The Extreme 3D PC System ($99.95) is
comprised of a pair of electronically controlled polarized glasses
that connect to your Windows PC via its USB port. Install the included
software and that's it. Any game will appear in full color and be
displayed in three dimensions. What's important is that the games do
not have to be specifically written for this 3D system. Instead, it
uses a special stereo properties video driver developed by Nvidia, as
well as utilizing the current DirectX 8.1 video drivers that come from
Microsoft. This "PC Gateway Software" is included with the glasses.
The more motion in the game, the more 3D you will experience. For
images with no motion, the "X3D Image Converter Software" converts
still 2D images into 3D pictures which is ideal for photographic
images you have scanned in or taken with a digital camera.
The system comes complete with a pair of wired
3D glasses and the driver software. 3DWorld also throws in 15
full-version computer games that should keep you busy through the
holidays.
If you want to share your 3D experience with
others, you can with the Wireless Glasses accessory ($39.95) that
includes a pair of wireless 3D glasses and a transmitter. Extra pairs
of wireless glasses are available at the same price but only one
transmitter is needed. Theoretically you can have an unlimited amount
of wireless glasses watching at the same time. They just need to be
within the 30 foot range of the wireless transmitter. You must,
however buy the first pair of wired glasses as they are the ones that
come with all the setup software and hardware. After you buy the
wireless glasses, you no longer need to use the wired pair.
Another very cool feature is the option to use
the glasses with a WinTVGo card ($49.95) that lets you view broadcast
television and DVD movies on your computer's screen. With the card and
the Extreme 3D PC System, you can view live television and DVD movies
in 3D. Included is the "TV/DVD Gateway Software" that converts any DVD
movie, TV show or home video into three dimensional images. And for an
extra thrill, connect your Xbox gaming console's output to the
video-in port on the WinTVGo card and you'll be able to experience
your Xbox games in 3D too.
Currently, the Extreme 3D PC System only works
on conventional CRT displays and not on flat screens. However, 3DWorld
says it is working on a version for flat screens and will have it
available sometime next year. I suggest you keep an eye out for it.
www.x3dworld.com |
