3D Monitor

Whenever I open up my inbox, I'm constantly surprised by the product announcements. Today, I found some info about a 3D monitor from a company called Nortek:

March 23, 2006 – Neurok Optics, LLC, manufacturer of the revolutionary iZ3D™ monitor for gamers is a sponsor of the upcoming TransAtlantic Showdown Event. Both gamers and attendees will be the first to experience the latest games in 2D or 3D at the iZ3D display during the free event in the 5th Floor Atrium from March 24-26.

The GGL Showdown will feature Europe's best against North America’s best in four popular games: Counter-Strike 1.6 (5v5), Quake 4 Team Deathmatch (4v4), Quake 4 Duel (1v1), and Warcraft III: Frozen Throne (2v2). Gamers will battle it out for over $100,000 in cash and prizes.

“Due to improvements in video technology, our 17” 3D monitor is ideal for casual to professional gamers. This advanced technology is compatible with all popular current applications and allows users to gather more information and to use that information in a more sophisticated way than standard two-dimensional monitors permit, commented David Chechelashvili, Vice President of Marketing for Neurok Optics LLC.

“The iZ3D offers great image quality, a wide viewing angle and accommodates multiple users. It does not give players headaches or disorientation as earlier 3D versions did, this allows for extended periods of use and it’s compatible with most current games,” Chechelashvili added.

Not exclusively designed for gaming, the user-friendly monitor can be an upgrade to a standard monitor because users can easily switch between 2D and 3D modes, for word processing or cruising the web. A bright, wide viewing angle allows four to six people to experience 3D action at the same time, without any degradation to image quality.

iZ3D is an advanced video monitor capable of displaying impressive into-screen and out-of-screen 3D images with passive polarized glasses. Priced at $1,299.00 the new monitor offers a resolution of 1280x1024; a 500:1 contrast ratio; 8ms refresh rate and requires an nVidia card with two connectors.

For more information and as of March 24, 2006 to purchase online go to http://iz3d.com.

Digging around the company's website, I find that this product has been floating around for a few months, but it will be available starting tomorrow for public consumption.

This video was also illuminating.

From the video we glean that the key to the 3D technology is the use of polarizing glasses that can then separate the image on the monitor into left and right. This gives the image the depth that on a conventional monitor is just not possible. A dual output video card is required to drive this monitor.

As are many other cutting edge computer toys, this 3D monitor is being marketed towards the gamers. After all they are the ones with the deepest pockets, and could fork over a grand of hard earned cash for a monitor like this. The $1399 price tag is only for the 17" model; a 19" ize is also in the planning stages.

Assuming this monitor delivers the 3D goods as promised, I could see it being used in industry for simulation applications from pilots, to surgeons, and CAD engineering.

Stay tuned to see if this is future mainstream technology, or just another good idea that doesn't catch on. I'm hoping that 3D monitors are here to stay!

Manufacturer's Site.