Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)First, this is a combo review of both the actual glasses and several games I've played extensively utilizing the glasses. The next paragraph contains a brief review, followed by an in depth (possibly rambling, almost certainly too long) review. I purchased these glasses on a whim (08 July 2010) after finding out they would work with my older DLP's checkerboard 3D Input. I originally used these glasses with my Laptop (specs below) and was amazed with the results. However, the Laptop just didn't have the horsepower to drive games "The Way It's Meant to be Played", so a new "Gaming Rig" later and the full potential of these glasses was unlocked (and my mind subsequently blown ;-) ).
As a short review, if you already have a "checkerboard" DLP, a 120hz Monitor or a 3D Ready TV these glasses are worth every penny. They provide an unequaled measure of realism and immersion to games developed with the technology in mind, while still providing a new experience to almost any other game. (The drivers for the system are able to translate (shift) rendered scenes in the GPU to simulate 3D for games not developed with this tech in mind. For a listing of games and their "3D Worthiness", check the nVidia website). I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone with a reasonably powered gaming computer and the appropriate display. I wouldn't have many qualms about recommending these to someone missing a piece of the equation and adequate disposable income. This, of course, is not even taking into account the 3D content available from other sources, such as Blu Ray (Requires a Blu Ray computer drive, obviously) or streaming content through nVidia's website.====================Begin In Depth Review====================
1) Packaging
The packaging was not what I was expecting - they are packaged as an expensive accessory should be packaged! A heavy cardboard foldout cube contains the product itself and some accessories:
1 Pair of LCD Shutter Glasses
1 IR Emitter (Which has an on/off button, a USB mini female connector for attachment to a PC, a 3.5MM stereo adaptor for connecting a DLP with Checkerboard 3D, and a little wheel on the top to adjust the "Depth" of 3D Processing. The Unit glows green when plugged in and communicating with the nVidia Stereoscopic Drivers, Red when Plugged in and not communicating (e.g. booted into Linux))
1 Microfiber Pouch - For storing the glasses
1 Green nVidia Branded Microfiber Cloth for cleaning
Several bridge adaptors to suit your nose,
1 long (~3M) USB cable (A to Mini) for attaching the IR Emitter
1 slightly shorter (~2M) USB cable for charging the glasses (A to Mini)
1 3.5mm Stereo to DIN cable for Checkerboard Format DLPs
1 obligatory outdated drivers CD. 2) Setup and General Observations
Setup was easy, though I ran into a minor snag with my particular equipment arrangement. My TV would not allow a switch to 3D Mode using the HDMI Out on my graphics adaptors through my receiver, even set as "Pass through" Mode - the output had to be directly wired to the TV (I am using HDMI Outputs). This necessitated the use of a TOSLINK out for Sound purposes. Since I prefer the HDMI output (For HDCP content and less cabling, I've resorted to swapping two different HDMI cables, one directly connected to the TV and one to an input on the receiver). Once the drivers were installed, the IR Emitter attached to the PC and TV, I turned on the glasses (Which in a pleasant surprise, came out of the box with a hefty charge) and proceeded to be amazed. The glasses themselves have an excellent battery life, and are able to be charged from any 5v "USB Connector" source (For example, I usually use a PlayStation 3 Charging System and plug the glasses directly on the mini connector where a controller would sit, though plugging a USB cable into the side will also charge the glasses.) I have used these glasses for hours on end without discomfort (I don't wear glasses normally). My brother has also used these glasses for an extended period of time, and he has prescription lenses. The glasses fit comfortably over his glasses and he's not complained of comfort or vision issues. 3) Drawbacks / Cons
This technology is not without its drawbacks. Many games require disabling certain graphical effects as they do not display properly or conflict with essential game play elements. Bloom and Motion Blur are two common items. In many games, text windows / GUI Elements are drawn very close to the screen, breaking immersion when the object that the text pertains to is drawn in the "back" of the scene. In games marked "3D Ready!", everything works flawlessly. I have had great success with games marked as "Excellent" or "Great" according to nVidia. I have not tried any games marked as "Fair" or "Poor". However at some point I will trying both EVE Online and Star Trek Online. Both are marked as "Fair" and I will be interested to see the results, especially given my amazement at Sins of a Solar Empire. Space seems like an excellent medium for 3D gaming.
Another drawback of this technology is the system requirements. I have used this with two different computing platforms. Since this was being output to a DLP TV, most games had to be run at 1920x1080 resolution. However, some games were able to be black boxed into a 1920x1080 window but run at a much lower resolution. Call of Duty 4, for example, was run at 1024x768 with a ton of black-space around the window (But in 3D! The sacrifices we make...). I was shocked that several games were playable in 3D on my laptop at the 1920x1080 resolution. However, most were not, "requiring" (That's what I told myself, anyway) that I buy a new gaming rig. Specs at the bottom of the review in an attempt to mitigate the self serving ego stroking provided by posting system specs ;)
When playing games with other people around, games range from "watchable" without the glasses (Image just appears fuzzy in some areas) to "headache inducing". Speaking of headaches, some friends of mine have reported headaches or nausea after using the 3D glasses for a brief time. If you've not been exposed to 3D content in a movie theater or at a Demo Booth of this technology, and think you might be susceptible to the effect, I'd avoid these unless and until you've had a chance to get an extended hands on with the unit.4) Miscellaneous Musings
Some things I'd like to know about this product that I currently do not:
Are multiple pairs of glasses able to be used from the same IR Emitter (I believe the answer to this is "Yes", which would increase the value of these, especially for multi-person households (Families, Roommates, etc)
Are there 120hz LCD TVs that are not marked as 3D Ready that can be used as display devices for these glasses? I've heard different reports on this - some say it's not possible and you need the 1.4a HDMI Spec, and I've heard anecdotal accounts of PowerStrip being able to force 120hz refresh and subsequent usage.
Same Question as above for Plasma TVs.
"A Friend" told me that certain "Adult" content is quite impressive. I'll leave that as an exercise to the reader to determine the merits of this statement ;-)5) Individual Game Impressions
3rd Person Action / Adventure Game: Batman: Arkham Asylum (BAA)
These glasses coupled with a game marked "3D Ready" results in an amazing, immersive experience. Rarely playing video games did I feel like part of the action, but this game and these glasses did the trick. The first time I loaded this up, I was instantly reminded of the first time I played Time Travelers - "This is *SO* cool". Six months later, I still get that feeling. For example, BAA is stunning - utilizing this system gives one the impression they are watching through a window into a living world. The most memorable moments of the game so far in 3D (Having played through it once in 2D on a Xbox) involve crawling through duct work, opening said ducts, anything involving steam or explosions, fighting ... so pretty much the entirety of the game. Near the start of actual play, Batman walks through a decontamination chamber filling with mist - this mist swirls around Batman in all dimensions, totally enveloping him. When opening the ducts, bolts fly off out of the screen - the first time I did this (Even knowing I was playing in 3D, and having played other games in 3D) I tried to duck out of the way of the bolt - that says a lot about the immersion this technology allows. Still on the duct work, crawling through spider webs feels like crawling through webs (This time I resisted the urge to swipe at myself to get them off!). Simply Superb. I would highly recommend this game as a demonstration of the technology - even if you already have it for another platform. As far as I have seen, there have been no glitches or odd behaviours with this game. I believe the nVidia control panel recommends disabling a graphical enhancement in the options to prevent some anomalies. 3rd Person Shooter / Sandbox: Mafia II
Another game I have played extensively that was developed with this technology involved is Mafia 2. Ordinarily (in my opinion), this type of "Sandbox" game is uninteresting and quite frankly, boring. However, these glasses gave me an entirely different perspective (Hehe, 3D puns) on this genre. Running through the streets of Mafia 2 with it's already excellent "period" feel coupled with the depth this product provides turned what would have been a throw away game (for me) into something I played for hours and hours. An example: Standing behind a column, watching it destruct and deform under the sustained fire of...Read more›
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