Using one of the new high quality 3D monitors is a superb way to enjoy the latest 3D games and movies, and the major manufacturers are strengthening their focus on development of increasingly powerful 3D monitors to compliment their 3D technology product ranges The best models currently available work at a screen speed of 120hz, which is perfectly adequate for displaying excellent 3D images.
Recently, great strides have been made in making 3D accessible via 3D TVs to home entertainment enthusiasts with or (to a much lesser extent) without the need for glasses. Films and television aren't the only areas of entertainment delving into three dimensions, either. Demand is steadily rising for 3D effects in video games and other computer media, as well. Now, thanks to the invention of LC shutter systems and parallax barriers, consumers can see high-definition 3D effects on their home computers -using a suitably powerful 3D monitor - as easily as they can in a movie theater.
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of 3D-ready glasses-free monitors available or announced right now. Any 3D-capable model of monitor needs to produce the effect through polarized anaglyph images combined with LC shutter glasses. Many, in fact, require Nvidia's new software and glasses-based system, Nvidia 3D Vision.
3D technology is still in its infancy, so there have only been a few computer monitor manufacturers to release or announce 3D monitors. Two standouts, however, are Acer and Alienware. At the Consumer Electronics Show in February 2010, both companies announced 3D-ready HD displays measuring at 24” each. This makes the Acer GD235HZ and Alienware OptX AW2310 monitors an excellent choice if 3D gaming is your goal. Gaming in 3D can be a spectacular experience, but it really requires a larger screen size to completely see the added depth. And maintaining the standard of 1080p 3D is a definite plus.
Asus has a monitor that comes close to the other top-of-the-line models with its VG236H monitor. The price is slightly less expensive than Acer's and Alienware's offerings when purchased alone, but the VG236H is slightly smaller, coming in at 23”. Though Asus's 3D monitor is slightly smaller, it is capable of broadcasting 3D content in high-definition 1080p like more expensive monitors.
LG also has a released Nvidia-compatible monitor. The LG W63D is able to produce stereoscopic effects across its 23” screen size, with a price tag similar to Asus's model. Like the Asus VG236H, 1080p resolution is available, even when viewing 3D content.
All four of these 3D monitors will require Nvidia 3D Vision system to display 3D effects, but more often than not you can easily find packages that include a monitor, Nvidia's software, and at least one pair of LC shutter glasses for an affordable price. It is important to remember, though, that any glasses-based 3D technology currently in use can cause headaches and serious eye strain over extended periods of time.
Unfortunately, there are no glasses-free 3D monitors currently on the market, and no definitive models have been announced for the future. Both NEC and Toshiba have released statements that they are working on a glasses-free display. The available information, though, indicates these will likely be smaller, more portable monitors in the range of 12”. There are no model numbers or release dates available on these, so it may be a while before glasses-free 3D monitors make their debut on the home PC market.
Additional Resources
The website GamingMonitors.org has a wealth of information on gaming monitors in general.
The video publishing site Youtube carries some excellent video reviews of 3D monitors, compiled either by users or manufacturers.
Released Models
Viewsonic V3D241wm LED 3D monitor, ships with a set of active 3D glasses.
3D Monitor News & Future Releases
Dec 2010 - The monitor manufacturer Eizo has announced a future release of a no glasses 3D monitor. The 23 inch monitor is planned for release -as an industrial version at first - around mid 2011.
