Buying Guide: 3D Monitors With Glasses

If you're looking to buy a 3D monitor with glasses, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to understand the different types of 3D technology available. Modern 3D technology typically uses either switching and timing or polarization to create the 3D effect. This means that you'll need a special screen and a pair of 3D glasses. When it comes to choosing a 3D monitor, there are a few options available on the market. Lenovo offers a 27-inch 3D monitor that provides a glasses-free 3D experience, ideal for 3D graphic designers, editors, and developers. On the other hand, Acer's Predator SpatialLabs View 27 monitor offers a stereoscopic 3D gaming display and comes with eye-tracking and real-time rendering capabilities. It's important to note that when purchasing a 3D monitor, you may also need to invest in a compatible graphics card and 3D glasses kit to ensure an optimal 3D viewing experience.

Glasses-free 3D monitors

Technology and Features:

The core principle behind glasses-free 3D involves projecting two independent images to each eye, creating a sense of depth and making the image appear as if it's popping out of the screen. This is achieved through advanced optical layers, lenticular lenses, and real-time eye-tracking technologies. Some monitors also include AI-powered software that converts 2D content into 3D, enhancing your viewing experience.

Products to Consider:

• Acer SpatialLabs View and View Pro Monitors: These 15.6-inch portable monitors offer stereoscopic 3D for gamers and content creators. They can convert 2D content to 3D and provide a 4K viewing experience with excellent colour accuracy.
• Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D Monitor: Debuted at IFA 2024, this 27-inch monitor offers a glasses-free 3D experience with a peak resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels in 2D and 1920 x 2160 pixels in 3D. It features a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 310 nits of maximum brightness. The monitor also doubles as a hub with multiple USB and HDMI ports.
• Magnetic 3D: While not specifically mentioned as a monitor, Magnetic 3D offers a range of glasses-free 3D solutions, including displays and video walls. Their products range from 28" to 100" and support multiple 3D formats, providing an immersive experience for various applications.
• Acer Predator SpatialLabs View 27 PSV27-2 Gaming Display: This 27-inch monitor offers a smooth gaming experience with a 160Hz refresh rate, 4K UHD resolution, and a 5ms response time. It also includes eye-tracking and real-time rendering technologies.

When purchasing a glasses-free 3D monitor, it's important to consider your specific needs, whether it's for gaming, content creation, or professional 3D design work. Additionally, keep in mind the technical requirements needed to handle 3D content, such as a capable CPU, GPU, and sufficient RAM.

3D glasses types: red/blue, shutter, polarised

When buying a 3D monitor, it's important to consider the type of 3D glasses that will be used with it. Here are the three main types of 3D glasses: red/blue (also known as anaglyph), shutter, and polarised.

Red/Blue (Anaglyph) Glasses

Anaglyph 3D is a stereoscopic 3D effect achieved by encoding each eye's image using filters of different (usually chromatically opposite) colours. The traditional combination is red and cyan, but other combinations such as red and blue or red and green also work. The blue lens filters out all the red light, and the red lens filters out all the blue light, so each eye sees a slightly different image. When viewed through the "colour-coded" anaglyph glasses, they reveal an integrated stereoscopic image. The visual cortex of the brain fuses this into the perception of a three-dimensional scene.

Anaglyph glasses are low cost, with paper frames costing as little as $0.30 per pair. They can be used to view 3D images or videos on any platform without requiring additional filters, hardware, or software. However, they can cause a skewed sense of colour due to the filters in the glasses themselves being coloured. Extended use of anaglyph glasses can also cause discomfort, and the afterimage may temporarily affect the viewer's perception of real-life objects.

Shutter Glasses

Shutter glasses (also called Liquid Crystal Shutter glasses) are used in conjunction with a display screen to create the illusion of a three-dimensional image. Each eye's glass contains a liquid crystal layer that has the property of becoming dark when voltage is applied, otherwise being transparent. The glasses are controlled by an infrared, radio frequency, DLP-Link, or Bluetooth transmitter that sends a timing signal that allows the glasses to alternately darken over one eye and then the other, in synchronization with the refresh rate of the screen. Meanwhile, the display alternately shows different perspectives for each eye, using a technique called Alternate-frame sequencing, which achieves the desired effect of each eye seeing only the image intended for it.

Shutter glasses are generally more expensive than other forms of stereoscopic glasses, with most models selling for over $100. They also require high refresh rates to function properly, and they can be much darker than regular glasses due to the polarisation. However, they eliminate "ghosting", which is a problem with other 3D display technologies.

Polarised Glasses

Polarised 3D glasses create the illusion of three-dimensional images by restricting the light that reaches each eye. To present a stereoscopic motion picture, two images are projected superimposed onto the same screen through different polarising filters. The viewer wears low-cost eyeglasses that also contain a pair of different polarising filters. As each filter passes only that light which is similarly polarised and blocks the light polarised in the opposite direction, each eye sees a different image. This is used to produce a three-dimensional effect by projecting the same scene into both eyes but depicted from slightly different perspectives. Polarised 3D glasses do not cause colour distortion like red/blue glasses, and they are also very affordable, costing around $2.00 per pair. However, the projectors required for polarised 3D can be costly.

Monitor compatibility with glasses

When it comes to 3D monitors and glasses, there are a few things to consider in terms of compatibility. Firstly, it's important to understand the different types of 3D technology available. Modern 3D technology typically uses either shutter glasses or polarization. Shutter glasses work in tandem with the screen, rapidly alternating the image displayed between each eye. This requires a high refresh rate, typically 120 Hz or more, which not all monitors support. Polarization, on the other hand, is a simpler system that doesn't require specialised glasses, but it may result in a loss of colour fidelity and light.

If you're looking to use a standard monitor with 3D glasses, you'll need to ensure the monitor has a high enough refresh rate and that your graphics card supports dual-link DVI to connect to the screen. Additionally, you'll need to invest in a pair of compatible shutter glasses, such as the NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit, which typically comes with the glasses and necessary software. It's worth noting that not all graphics cards are compatible with this technology, so be sure to check the requirements before purchasing.

For those seeking a more convenient option, there are now glasses-free 3D monitors available, such as the Lenovo ThinkVision 27. These monitors use lenticular lenses and real-time eye-tracking technology to deliver a natural 3D viewing experience without the need for specialised glasses. While this technology is still relatively new and may have a limited viewing sweet spot, it offers a more seamless way to experience 3D content.

When it comes to choosing the right 3D monitor and glasses combination, it's important to consider your specific needs and preferences. For those who want a more immersive experience and don't mind investing in additional hardware, a standard 3D monitor with shutter glasses may be the way to go. On the other hand, if convenience and ease of use are priorities, a glasses-free 3D monitor could be a better option, despite its current limitations. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your 3D viewing or creation setup.

GPU compatibility with glasses

When it comes to GPU compatibility with 3D glasses, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to ensure that your graphics card and GPU are powerful enough to handle 3D rendering. For instance, the Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D monitor, which offers glasses-free 3D technology, requires a computer with a minimum GPU of an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD equivalent to handle the 3D rendering.

If you opt for a 3D monitor that uses active shutter glasses or polarised glasses, your GPU options may vary. Active shutter glasses work by rapidly alternating the image displayed on the screen between the left and right eyes, and they require a compatible GPU and graphics card that can handle this technology. Polarised glasses, on the other hand, use a filter to separate the image into two slightly different versions for each eye, and they may have less demanding GPU requirements.

When choosing a GPU for your 3D setup, it's important to consider the specifications and capabilities of both the monitor and the glasses. For example, if you're using Nvidia 3D Vision technology, you'll need to ensure that your GPU is compatible with the specific version of Nvidia 3D Vision that your glasses and monitor support. This could be Nvidia 3D Vision 1 or 3D Vision 2, and you'll need to ensure that your GPU, glasses, and monitor are all compatible with the same version.

Additionally, when considering GPU compatibility, it's worth noting that some 3D monitors may have built-in GPUs or processors that handle the 3D rendering, reducing the demand on your computer's GPU. This can be a good option if you don't want to invest in a high-end GPU but still want to enjoy a 3D experience. However, even in these cases, it's important to ensure that your computer's GPU meets the minimum requirements specified by the monitor manufacturer.

Buying a 3D monitor with glasses vs without

3D monitors are available with or without glasses, and each has its own pros and cons.

3D Monitors with Glasses

3D monitors that require glasses are more common and have been around for longer. They work by sending two slightly different signals targeted to your left or right eye. The glasses then filter these signals so that each eye sees a different image, which the brain combines to perceive as a 3D image. This method is not perfect, as the information cues are not as detailed as those received in the natural world, but it can be convincing if done properly.

3D Monitors Without Glasses

Monitors that don't require glasses use a variety of technologies to achieve a 3D effect, including lenticular lenses and real-time eye-tracking. These monitors offer a more natural 3D viewing experience, but there is usually a limited "sweet spot" for ideal viewing. Additionally, the resolution is often reduced in 3D mode, as the panel has to draw the image twice (once for each eye). No-glasses 3D monitors are also generally more expensive and bulkier than their glasses-required counterparts.

Buying Considerations

When deciding whether to buy a 3D monitor with or without glasses, there are several factors to consider:

• Cost: No-glasses 3D monitors tend to be more expensive.
• Bulk: Glasses-required 3D monitors are usually less bulky.
• Viewing experience: Monitors without glasses offer a more natural 3D viewing experience, but there may be a limited sweet spot for optimal viewing.
• Resolution: The resolution is often reduced in 3D mode on no-glasses monitors.
• Convenience: With glasses-required monitors, you need to remember to have the glasses with you and keep them charged (if they are electronic).

Frequently asked questions