The First S3DHD Monitor Hits The Shelves: Acer's 120Hz 23.6" GD235HZ

Jim here. We first spoke about the new Acer entry into the 120Hz widescreen monitor race back in October and now they have delivered. The Acer GD235HZ 120Hz LCD 23.6" S3D display is available right now and is the first full S3DHD monitor out there and is also slightly larger than the others that are available right now from Samsung and Viewsonic). Retail price is $399.99. Resolution is 1920x1080 with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Response time? 2 milliseconds.

Recommended with the monitor is the nVidia GeForce 3D Vision Kit to complete your stereoscopic 3D experience (unless you need to upgrade your video card).

From their press release: The new Acer 3D display becomes available at an opportune time. In its recently released 3D Display Technology and Market Forecast Report, DisplaySearch forecasts that the total stereoscopic 3D display market will grow from 0.7 million units and $902 million in revenues in 2008 to 196 million units and $22 billion in revenues in 2018, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38 percent for revenues and 75 percent for units.

The Acer GD235HZ 23.6-inch display provides a revolutionary new 3D viewing experience when combined with the NVIDIA 3D Vision technology, adding depth to the image displayed on the flat surface of the monitor. NVIDIA 3D Vision is a combination of high-tech wireless active-shutter glasses, a wireless USB transmitter, and advanced software that can transform hundreds of PC games into an exceptional 3D experience. The Acer display with NVIDIA 3D Vision can deliver 3D images from any PC content, including 3D games, 3D photographs, 3D videos, and upcoming Blu-ray 3D movies. The glasses are lightweight, can be worn over regular eyeglasses, and can provide up to 40 hours of 3D entertainment on a single charge. For more information on NVIDIA 3D Vision technology, please visit www.nvidia.com/3DVision.

Full Specs:

• 23.6-inch Widescreen
• 1920x1080 Maximum Resolution
• 0.2715mm Pixel Pitch
• 120Hz (Maximum) Refresh Rate
• 2ms Response Time (G to G)
• 80,000:1 Max (ACM) / 1000:1 (Native) Contrast Ratio
• 300cd/m2 Brightness
• 170° (H)/160° (V) Viewing Angles
• 16.7 Million Colors
• 6Bit + HiFRC
• 1x HDMI (w/HDMI), 1x DVI, 1x VGA Inputs
• Vesa 100mm Wall Mount
• Internal Power Supply

Hey, this display sounds great! I will have to check this out in person soon. As these displays start getting bigger and with better resolution, our S3DHD immersion will really take off!

3D Shorts: ViewSonic's LED 3D; World Cup In 3D; And Bringing 3D Life To Michael Jackson?

Jim here. Got three brief stories that have been accumulating and it is time to get them out there!

- Viewsonic is looking forward to launching LED based as well as a professional series of 3D screens in 2010.
...I have not seen their VX2265wm FuHzion in action, but the specs are similar to the 120Hz Samsung that I use.

- The FIFA World Cup will see about 50% of all of it's games broadcast in stereoscopic 3D. The World Cup is being held in South Africa next summer and it is thought that Sony will be participating in the S3D events as it is a major sponsor of the games. Sony is a leader of S3D technology development.
...We reported on discussions around the World Cup (and the London Olympics) being shot in S3D back in March of 2008. Looking forward to this!

- Michael Jackson could be brought back to life through full body 3D scans that were done of the King of Pop back in 1996. Of course this was before he had major cosmetic surgery and he was 37 at the time - the prime of his life.
- I have wondered about the feasibility of a well known actor/entertainer scanning his full body in 3D so that his/her estate could continue to capitalize on their likeness. No need to wonder anymore I suppose.

Viewsonic Joins Samsung In 120Hz 3D Gaming Monitor Biz

Jim here. Samsung is no longer the only one offering up a compatible 3D PC monitor for NVIDIA's 3D Vision technology - Viewsonic has jumped in with their FuHzion monitor and they too will operate with a 120Hz frequency.

The ViewSonic VX2265wm has a 1680x1050 resolution, 3ms response time, 20,000:1 Contrast Ratio and HDCP support (Dual link DVI-D) and is 22 inches.

"ViewSonic's heritage in providing high-quality visual display solutions and commitment to emerging technologies was an obvious choice to showcase the NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision stereoscopic glasses solution," said Ujesh Desai, vice president of GPU business at NVIDIA. "Jointly, we are helping to further the growth of truly 3D home entertainment."

Samsung's Syncmaster 2233RZ 22 finally has some competition - adding Viewsonic to the list is a great step forward in home 3D gaming.

MarketSaw will be offering reviews of 3D games shortly as I am getting set up with NVIDIA's 3D Vision. Can't wait!