3D Glasses for Your PC

With all the news around 3D technology this year, as a gamer you no doubt want to get in on the action and start playing in 3D on your PC as soon as you can. You know this is going to mean getting some goggles on your head and buying some 3D glasses for use with your PC, but which ones to buy?

Many people are going out and buying the old style anaglyph 3D glasses or the polarized ones we've been using at the movies lately thinking that these will work for 3D PC gaming - they won't. But you really can't be blamed for thinking these types of 3D glasses will enable you start enjoying 3D gaming. One manufacturer of anaglyph 3D glasses are promoting their product for use with 3D Movies, Gaming and TV and while they're not lying as such, they aren't being completely honest either.

Anaglyph 3D glasses will only work with 3D movies, games and TV broadcasts that are in anaglyph format ie: red/green layered images. The vast majority of PC games, new 3D movies and 3D TV broadcasts ARE NOT in anaglyph format, therefore anaglyph 3D glasses will be a waste of money.

The same is true for the polarized 3D glasses, if your aim is to play in 3D on your computer. The polarized 3D glasses only work at the movies and not at home because again it's a different format not used for 3D gaming, 3D TV or 3D Blu Ray.

As you probably know, gaming in 3D on your PC requires more than a set of 3D glasses. The 3D experience can only be created at home with some specialist software in addition to a pair of active shutter (stereoscopic) 3D glasses and this is a bit more expensive than the 17 cents that polarized glasses are selling for.

You basically have four choices of 3D glasses plus software solution for gaming in 3D on your PC. These are:

• nVidia Geforce 3D Vision Kit
• XpanD 3D Stereoscopic Kit
• eDimensional 3D Wired System
• TriDef 3D Experience Pack

Let's take a quick look at each 3D glasses system, what each are compatible with and what other hardware and software you will need or read here if you want to see if your PC is 3D Ready or you want to upgrade your computer so that it is.

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In comparison to the other computer 3D glasses/software options available the eDimensional system is by far the cheapest going and definitely has some major advantages over the other systems. For one it supports all video cards and two it's the only system that works with a Windows XP operating system. It's also compatible with a variety of display monitors (as long as it's capable of a minimum 60Hz refresh rate).

• Windows XP/Vista or 7 OS
• CRT or LCD external monitor with minimum 60hz refresh rate
• Support for all Video Cards
• Converts 2D to 3D

The eDimensional 3D Glasses System tends to create more in the way of image depth rather than the "jumping out" type of 3D but it is still pretty good. Great for those who don't want to upgrade their PC and who want a low cost 3D PC gaming option.

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nVidia's Geforce 3D Vision Kit is the market leader when it comes to 3D Gaming on your PC. Not only is it very well priced, the 3D rendering is top notch and it's the superior option for 3D PC gaming in my book. It will convert most of your favorite PC games into mind blowingly immersive 3D. You can adjust the 3D depth easily through the IR emitter box and the 3D active shutter glasses are comfortable and flicker free. A great 3D glasses system, but does require some essential hardware specifications to go with it.

• Compatible with Mitsubishi 3D TV's, ViewSonic, Samsung, Acer, LG and Alienware 120 Hz monitors as well as CTR monitors with over 100Hz refresh rates.
• Requires nVidia GPU
• Windows Vista or 7 OS
• Converts 2D into 3D
• Dual Core Procesor Minimum

Read more about Nvidia Geforce 3D VIsion Kit and the full spec required.

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TriDef's system is on the way out really, unless you happen to have one of Samsung's older DLP 3D Ready TV's to use as a display, in which case this is the perfect option. TriDef's 3D Experience Pack was created in tandem with Samsung's DLP 3D TV's which means they work perfectly together. Unfortunately TriDef's 3D glasses system will not work with ANY other displays, so don't make the mistake of buying this kit to play in 3D on your PC without having a Samsung DLP 3D TV.

• Only compatible with Samsung's older style DLP 3D Ready TV's
• Dedicated GPU with DVI or HDMI out
• Windows OS
• Vesa Compatible Synch Connector Required

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XpanD's 3D Stereoscopic Kit is the most expensive of the lot, but you do get two pairs of active shutter glasses instead of the standard one pair that the other systems include. There's no doubting the quality of XpanD's 3D products - they are the ones providing 3D glasses to cinema's the world over but there is not a great deal of info around about what hardware is and is not compatible with the XpanD system, so take the leap with them at your peril! If you do fancy going with XpanD it's probably best to wait for XpanD's x103 Universal 3D glasses to come out later in the year at a much more reasonable $150 per pair and with the advantage of full compatibility across all 3D protocols .

• Windows Vista or 7 OS
• Dual Core Processor
• DLP Display Required

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If you've got any questions about setting up your 3D glasses, your 3D PC, 3D home entertainment system or anything else related to 3D products, please feel free to leave a comment or question and I'll get right back to you.

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