FAQ Thread Frequently Asked Questions
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How about we start a FAQ thread... If you have any other ideas just post them in the thread.


[b]Q. What is 3D Stereo?
[/b]
A. 3D stereography refers to the process of beaming different images to your right eye and left eye (stereo) to give you the impression that you're looking at a real 3 dimensional object (not just a picture of a 3D object on a flat computer screen). Objects seen in 3D stereo will really appear to be sticking out or into the computer screen.
[center][img]http://www.sharp3d.com/images/figures/technology_3dviewing.jpg[/img][/center]

[b]Q. How does this relate to NVIDIA ?
[/b]
A. Nvidia produces a special device driver for it's graphics cards that can produce these 3D stereo images. This can be done in real-time so that games that use common 3D systems (such as DirectX or OpenGL) can be played in 3D stereo too.


[b]Q. What games work in 3D ?
[/b]
A. Essentially any game that use DirectX or OpenGL can be played in 3D stereo. Some games that work really well are Doom3, Quake3, Half-Life2, Unreal, etc. This is also independent of the DirectX version, so even older games will work well.


[b]Q. What setup do I need for 3D Stereo ?
[/b]
A. You'll need the following:[list]
[*]A PC
[*]Windows XP Home or Professional
[*]A compatible nvidia graphics card
[*]The nvidia software drivers
[*]3D glasses (either anaglyph, shutter or HMD).
[/list]See the sections below for more detail.


[b]Q. Whats the best graphics card to use ?
[/b]
A. Currently an nvidia 7800 series card is the fastest display that is supported in 3D stereo. Since driver release 77.77, SLI is also supported in stereo.


[b]Q. What other hardware do I need to see 3D stereo images/games ?
[/b]
A. There are a few different ways of producing the two images that are necessary for stereo viewing. In rough order of price/performance (from worst to best):

1) Anaglyph (Red/Blue) Glasses, in conjunction with a normal CRT or LCD screen.
This uses paper glasses that filter different colors into your right and left eye. Instead of displaying a color image, your graphics card super-imposes two images - one in red and one in blue - and each one can be seen through a different eye to produce the final stereo image.

[center][img]http://www.stereoscopy.com/reel3d/7026.jpg[/img][/center]

This is extremely cheap (a couple of bucks), but produces poor quality images in grey-scale only.

2) Shutter Glasses in conjunction with fast CRT screen or projector.
Shutter Glasses use small LCD lenses that act like computerised sunglasses. The computer can send a signal to either the right eye or left eye lens telling it to switch on or off. By quickly flicking between two different images on the screen and switching between the right and left eye on the shutter glasses at the same time, the left and right images can be displayed giving a good 3D stereo image.

[center][img]http://www.edimensional.com/images/sparewirelesssmall.jpg[/img][/center]

This is the standard hardware that most enthusiasts use, and is moderately priced ($25-$100). Can produce good images on any screen with a refresh rate above 120Hz, such a CRT screen. However using shutter glasses with LCD flat panel screens doesnt work well because they typically have lower refresh rates (80Hz) and ghosting and other artifacts can occur on CRTs.

[url="http://www.depthq.com"]DepthQ[/url] produce a digital projector with a refresh rate of 120Hz that should also be fast enough to work well.

3) Dual display with a mirror
This option uses two displays and a mirror that reflects one display into each eye. There is a special option in the Nvidia drivers (77.77 or higher) for using dual displays that automatically mirrors one of the monitors for you.

[center][img]http://www.crystalcanyons.net/Pages/TechNotes/TechNoteImages/DualMonitorViewing/InWeb/OverviewJohn_2.jpg[/img][/center]

Cost is the same as buying another monitor ($300) plus a mirror (not much). The advantages of this setup are that you dont get any ghosting, and that the resolution can be as high as your monitor can go. The disadvantage is that you have to keep your head in position against the mirror, which can be tiring.

4) Head Mounted Displays (HMDs)
HMDs are small wearable displays that typically have two small LCD flat screens inside (each one around 1 inch square or less) that display two separate pictures directly into the wearers left and right eyes.

[center][img]http://store1.yimg.com/I/i-glassesonline_1852_20026.jpg[/img][/center]

These are expensive ($600+), and while they dont suffer from ghosting or flicker like shutter glasses, the maximum resolution is currently 800x600 which is rather low compared to CRT screens.

5) 3D LCD Displays
There are a small number of highly expensive LCD flat screens coming onto the market that use some nifty optical tricks to display 3D pictures directly from a flat screen without needing any glasses.

[center][img]http://store.sharpsystems.com/buysharpssalrs_assets/product_images/2555920.jpg[/img][/center]

When I say expensive, I mean $1500+ which puts it out of the reach of most casual gamers.


[b]Q. What software do I need ?
[/b]
A. You'll need the NVIDIA graphics drivers, plus the 3D stereo drivers.

For the first, go to here: [url="http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_77.77.html"]http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_77.77.html[/url] and download the 77.77 driver.
Then go to here: [url="http://www.nvidia.com/object/3dstereo_77.77"]http://www.nvidia.com/object/3dstereo_77.77[/url] and download the stereo 77.77 drivers.


[b]Q. What operating system / windows version does it work with ?
[/b]
A. Currently Windows XP is the best option. Windows 2000, ME and 98 have been shown to have various problems, and in any case they are coming to end of life from Microsoft.


[b]Q. Where can I buy shutter glasses ?
[/b]
A. Various sources - just search the web. www.edimensional.com is a popular choice, but you may find cheaper retailers.


[b]Q. Where can I get help in chosing and installing a stereo setup ?
[/b]
A. This forum is a good start, as well as the forum at [url="http://forums.stereovision.net/"]Stereovision Forums[/url]


[b]Q. I upgraded my drivers, and now get blue screen errors
[/b]
A. This could be because parts of the old driver are still left on the system. To fully remove the driver you can:[list]
[*] Boot into Windows Safe Mode
[*] Uninstall both the Nvidia driver and the Nvidia 3d stereo driver from Control Panel.. Add/Remove Programs.
[*] Reboot
[*] Install the new Nvidia driver
[*] Reboot
[*] Install the new Nvidia 3D stereo driver
[*] Reboot
[/list]
How about we start a FAQ thread... If you have any other ideas just post them in the thread.





Q. What is 3D Stereo?



A. 3D stereography refers to the process of beaming different images to your right eye and left eye (stereo) to give you the impression that you're looking at a real 3 dimensional object (not just a picture of a 3D object on a flat computer screen). Objects seen in 3D stereo will really appear to be sticking out or into the computer screen.

Image




Q. How does this relate to NVIDIA ?



A. Nvidia produces a special device driver for it's graphics cards that can produce these 3D stereo images. This can be done in real-time so that games that use common 3D systems (such as DirectX or OpenGL) can be played in 3D stereo too.





Q. What games work in 3D ?



A. Essentially any game that use DirectX or OpenGL can be played in 3D stereo. Some games that work really well are Doom3, Quake3, Half-Life2, Unreal, etc. This is also independent of the DirectX version, so even older games will work well.





Q. What setup do I need for 3D Stereo ?



A. You'll need the following:

  • A PC
  • Windows XP Home or Professional
  • A compatible nvidia graphics card
  • The nvidia software drivers
  • 3D glasses (either anaglyph, shutter or HMD).
See the sections below for more detail.





Q. Whats the best graphics card to use ?



A. Currently an nvidia 7800 series card is the fastest display that is supported in 3D stereo. Since driver release 77.77, SLI is also supported in stereo.





Q. What other hardware do I need to see 3D stereo images/games ?



A. There are a few different ways of producing the two images that are necessary for stereo viewing. In rough order of price/performance (from worst to best):



1) Anaglyph (Red/Blue) Glasses, in conjunction with a normal CRT or LCD screen.

This uses paper glasses that filter different colors into your right and left eye. Instead of displaying a color image, your graphics card super-imposes two images - one in red and one in blue - and each one can be seen through a different eye to produce the final stereo image.



Image




This is extremely cheap (a couple of bucks), but produces poor quality images in grey-scale only.



2) Shutter Glasses in conjunction with fast CRT screen or projector.

Shutter Glasses use small LCD lenses that act like computerised sunglasses. The computer can send a signal to either the right eye or left eye lens telling it to switch on or off. By quickly flicking between two different images on the screen and switching between the right and left eye on the shutter glasses at the same time, the left and right images can be displayed giving a good 3D stereo image.



Image




This is the standard hardware that most enthusiasts use, and is moderately priced ($25-$100). Can produce good images on any screen with a refresh rate above 120Hz, such a CRT screen. However using shutter glasses with LCD flat panel screens doesnt work well because they typically have lower refresh rates (80Hz) and ghosting and other artifacts can occur on CRTs.



DepthQ produce a digital projector with a refresh rate of 120Hz that should also be fast enough to work well.



3) Dual display with a mirror

This option uses two displays and a mirror that reflects one display into each eye. There is a special option in the Nvidia drivers (77.77 or higher) for using dual displays that automatically mirrors one of the monitors for you.



Image




Cost is the same as buying another monitor ($300) plus a mirror (not much). The advantages of this setup are that you dont get any ghosting, and that the resolution can be as high as your monitor can go. The disadvantage is that you have to keep your head in position against the mirror, which can be tiring.



4) Head Mounted Displays (HMDs)

HMDs are small wearable displays that typically have two small LCD flat screens inside (each one around 1 inch square or less) that display two separate pictures directly into the wearers left and right eyes.



Image




These are expensive ($600+), and while they dont suffer from ghosting or flicker like shutter glasses, the maximum resolution is currently 800x600 which is rather low compared to CRT screens.



5) 3D LCD Displays

There are a small number of highly expensive LCD flat screens coming onto the market that use some nifty optical tricks to display 3D pictures directly from a flat screen without needing any glasses.



Image




When I say expensive, I mean $1500+ which puts it out of the reach of most casual gamers.





Q. What software do I need ?



A. You'll need the NVIDIA graphics drivers, plus the 3D stereo drivers.



For the first, go to here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_77.77.html and download the 77.77 driver.

Then go to here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/3dstereo_77.77 and download the stereo 77.77 drivers.





Q. What operating system / windows version does it work with ?



A. Currently Windows XP is the best option. Windows 2000, ME and 98 have been shown to have various problems, and in any case they are coming to end of life from Microsoft.





Q. Where can I buy shutter glasses ?



A. Various sources - just search the web. www.edimensional.com is a popular choice, but you may find cheaper retailers.





Q. Where can I get help in chosing and installing a stereo setup ?



A. This forum is a good start, as well as the forum at Stereovision Forums





Q. I upgraded my drivers, and now get blue screen errors



A. This could be because parts of the old driver are still left on the system. To fully remove the driver you can:

  • Boot into Windows Safe Mode
  • Uninstall both the Nvidia driver and the Nvidia 3d stereo driver from Control Panel.. Add/Remove Programs.
  • Reboot
  • Install the new Nvidia driver
  • Reboot
  • Install the new Nvidia 3D stereo driver
  • Reboot

#1
Posted 06/28/2005 10:20 AM   
Thats a good idea , infact its probably worth making an official FAQ thread and stickying it , as this will sort alot of the problems , like people thinking Stereo 3D is some kind of virtual surround driver , which seems to happen alot.

*bump*
Thats a good idea , infact its probably worth making an official FAQ thread and stickying it , as this will sort alot of the problems , like people thinking Stereo 3D is some kind of virtual surround driver , which seems to happen alot.



*bump*

#2
Posted 06/28/2005 02:31 PM   
Tidied up, added some sections and pictures.. bump

Steve
Tidied up, added some sections and pictures.. bump



Steve

#3
Posted 06/30/2005 05:34 AM   
Hey - we got a sticky! Thanks mod :)

Steve
Hey - we got a sticky! Thanks mod :)



Steve

#4
Posted 07/07/2005 02:24 AM   
In regards to...

3) Dual display with a mirror, I have a huge update:

[url="http://download.nvidia.com/Windows/77.77/77.77_3D_Stereo_User_Guide.pdf"]http://download.nvidia.com/Windows/77.77/7..._User_Guide.pdf[/url]

This new driver adds the StereoMirror 3D mode that reverses one one of your monitors for you! So many of us asked nVidia to do it and they finally did!!! Thank you nVidia!!!

This means that anyone with a dual-head nVidia card can enjoy hi-res, zero-ghosting 3D simply by setting up a single $50-or-less mirror (first-surface-mirror preferred) like this: [url="http://www.crystalcanyons.com/Pages/TechNotes/DualMonitorDigitalViewing.shtm"]http://www.crystalcanyons.com/Pages/TechNo...talViewing.shtm[/url] (shown above)

NO MONITOR DISMANTLING! MOD, PLEASE UPDATE FAQ ABOVE!!!

This could be a new day for 3D Gaming!

Besides the mirror, another way (although I have not yet attempted) to do dual display is with a large 45 degree Schmidt Prism (availalble for $150 at Edmunds Scientific) or try a cheap wedge prism to bend the view of one eye towards your second screen.
In regards to...



3) Dual display with a mirror, I have a huge update:



http://download.nvidia.com/Windows/77.77/7..._User_Guide.pdf



This new driver adds the StereoMirror 3D mode that reverses one one of your monitors for you! So many of us asked nVidia to do it and they finally did!!! Thank you nVidia!!!



This means that anyone with a dual-head nVidia card can enjoy hi-res, zero-ghosting 3D simply by setting up a single $50-or-less mirror (first-surface-mirror preferred) like this: http://www.crystalcanyons.com/Pages/TechNo...talViewing.shtm (shown above)



NO MONITOR DISMANTLING! MOD, PLEASE UPDATE FAQ ABOVE!!!



This could be a new day for 3D Gaming!



Besides the mirror, another way (although I have not yet attempted) to do dual display is with a large 45 degree Schmidt Prism (availalble for $150 at Edmunds Scientific) or try a cheap wedge prism to bend the view of one eye towards your second screen.

#5
Posted 07/21/2005 03:57 AM   
There's also the two projector options..

6) [url="http://www.depthq.com/"]http://www.depthq.com/[/url] - The shutterglasses + DepthQ projector (currently $3500 and 800x600 but no ghosting)

Or

7) Polarizing glasses plus two filtered projectors on a silver screen (like how theme parks and IMAX do it) but this menthod requires two projectors and a more expensive non-depolarizing screen and it produces a little ghosting.

Personally I like the HMD or dual-monitor methods simply because these are the only non-ghosting methods under $980.
There's also the two projector options..



6) http://www.depthq.com/ - The shutterglasses + DepthQ projector (currently $3500 and 800x600 but no ghosting)



Or



7) Polarizing glasses plus two filtered projectors on a silver screen (like how theme parks and IMAX do it) but this menthod requires two projectors and a more expensive non-depolarizing screen and it produces a little ghosting.



Personally I like the HMD or dual-monitor methods simply because these are the only non-ghosting methods under $980.

#6
Posted 08/01/2005 04:31 AM   
And, oh, to respond to Razor_Eator, I agree that Stereo3D is a confusing even though the scientific name (stereoscopic) has the word "Stereo" in it.

If nVidia wants to gain more market advantage, they should just change their latest driver release from "Consumer 3D Stereo" to the "Consumer 3D Holo-Gaming" or "3D Virtual Reality Gaming" driver or something equally cool and self-explanitory and put a link to it on their home page.
And, oh, to respond to Razor_Eator, I agree that Stereo3D is a confusing even though the scientific name (stereoscopic) has the word "Stereo" in it.



If nVidia wants to gain more market advantage, they should just change their latest driver release from "Consumer 3D Stereo" to the "Consumer 3D Holo-Gaming" or "3D Virtual Reality Gaming" driver or something equally cool and self-explanitory and put a link to it on their home page.

#7
Posted 08/11/2005 08:23 PM   
we need good, detailed description how to make up-down and left-right setup for stereo, so write here...
we need good, detailed description how to make up-down and left-right setup for stereo, so write here...

#8
Posted 08/12/2005 09:31 AM   
Perhaps we also need [b]Tomruman[/b]'s guide to shutterglasses and LCD included here.

I have rewritten it and included links for anyone interested.


[quote][b]HOW TO GET STEREO WORKING WITH LCD + NVIDIA DRIVER PAIR.
[/b]
You will need a matched driver pair (latest is 78.01) installed. You will also need 'ed.exe' which can be found here:

[url="http://solo11.abac.com/edimensional/downloads/E-D.exe"]http://solo11.abac.com/edimensional/downloads/E-D.exe[/url]


[u]1. Setup forceware[/u]

- Open the forceware panel via the taskbar icon or rightclicking on your desktop


---- Browse to the 'stereo properties' tab

- check 'Enabled' under Stereo Enable Mode

- select 'Horizontal Interleaved (VREX)' in the Stereo Type option box

- click 'Apply'

A medical test image will now appear.

- press escape to exit it and allow stereo to be enabled


---- Browse to the 'stereo setup and test' tab

- select the correct monitor size

- set each resolution to use the highest refresh your monitor supports

- click 'Apply' for each res

- check the 'Always use stereo refresh' box and click 'Apply'

- be sure to leave the slider at your desktop resolution and click 'Apply' before moving on

- leave this window open as we'll be using it to test the stereo



[u]2. setup ED activator[/u]

- double click on ed.exe and it will load to the taskbar

- click on it and select the following

+ interleaved
+ LCD mode 1
+ Stereo - normal



[u]3. Test[/u]

Return to the 'stereo setup and test' tab of the forceware driver panel and click on 'Launch Test Application'

You should now be seeing stereo on your LCD. Pretty good huh? Thanks Tomruman.



[u]4. A note about desktop resolution[/u]

You must play the games at the same resolution that your desktop is set to. If you need to play at a lower resolution for performance reasons then do the following:

- make sure that ed.exe stereo is set to OFF

- change your desktop resolution to the res you want in the game

- reenable stereo with ed.exe[/quote]
Perhaps we also need Tomruman's guide to shutterglasses and LCD included here.



I have rewritten it and included links for anyone interested.





HOW TO GET STEREO WORKING WITH LCD + NVIDIA DRIVER PAIR.



You will need a matched driver pair (latest is 78.01) installed. You will also need 'ed.exe' which can be found here:



http://solo11.abac.com/edimensional/downloads/E-D.exe





1. Setup forceware



- Open the forceware panel via the taskbar icon or rightclicking on your desktop





---- Browse to the 'stereo properties' tab



- check 'Enabled' under Stereo Enable Mode



- select 'Horizontal Interleaved (VREX)' in the Stereo Type option box



- click 'Apply'



A medical test image will now appear.



- press escape to exit it and allow stereo to be enabled





---- Browse to the 'stereo setup and test' tab



- select the correct monitor size



- set each resolution to use the highest refresh your monitor supports



- click 'Apply' for each res



- check the 'Always use stereo refresh' box and click 'Apply'



- be sure to leave the slider at your desktop resolution and click 'Apply' before moving on



- leave this window open as we'll be using it to test the stereo







2. setup ED activator



- double click on ed.exe and it will load to the taskbar



- click on it and select the following



+ interleaved

+ LCD mode 1

+ Stereo - normal







3. Test



Return to the 'stereo setup and test' tab of the forceware driver panel and click on 'Launch Test Application'



You should now be seeing stereo on your LCD. Pretty good huh? Thanks Tomruman.







4. A note about desktop resolution



You must play the games at the same resolution that your desktop is set to. If you need to play at a lower resolution for performance reasons then do the following:



- make sure that ed.exe stereo is set to OFF



- change your desktop resolution to the res you want in the game



- reenable stereo with ed.exe

It better be.

#9
Posted 02/14/2006 05:26 PM   
thnx bigtabs, you've written it in much better english than i did :) its useable now /thumbup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbup:' />
thnx bigtabs, you've written it in much better english than i did :) its useable now /thumbup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thumbup:' />

#10
Posted 02/14/2006 06:58 PM   
[b]Q. What are the last couple graphics/stereo drivers available for Nvidia cards?[/b]

A. graphics driver: [url="http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_93.71_2.html"]http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_93.71_2.html[/url]
stereo driver: [url="http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1511"]http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1511[/url]

JMB
Q. What are the last couple graphics/stereo drivers available for Nvidia cards?



A. graphics driver: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_93.71_2.html

stereo driver: http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1511



JMB

#11
Posted 06/12/2007 09:25 AM   
I've made a 3D info website:
[url="http://www.3d.wep.dk"]http://www.3d.wep.dk[/url]
where it's possible to see what 3D looks like before You buy any 3D gear.
I've made a 3D info website:

http://www.3d.wep.dk

where it's possible to see what 3D looks like before You buy any 3D gear.

#12
Posted 07/23/2007 08:56 PM   
Does this LCD solution work? With all forceware? With all LCD screens? 42"?

What about minimum response time in ms?
What about vertical and horizontal frequency sync range?

eDimensional recommends a refresh rate of at least 70Hz, wich is rare among LCD monitors. And considdering shutterglasses cuts that into half, 35Hz, that is VERY flickering. How do you deal with this?
Does this LCD solution work? With all forceware? With all LCD screens? 42"?



What about minimum response time in ms?

What about vertical and horizontal frequency sync range?



eDimensional recommends a refresh rate of at least 70Hz, wich is rare among LCD monitors. And considdering shutterglasses cuts that into half, 35Hz, that is VERY flickering. How do you deal with this?

XPS M1710, 2Ghz, 1Gb RAM, Go 7900 GS.

#13
Posted 08/25/2007 09:27 AM   
I Have An only question, there is info from Nvidia about geforce 8xxx Stereo Drivers?
All in the forums are rumors but what said Nvidia in fact?
I´m really interested, i just buy a shutterglasses pair an now because my video card is new i cant use it.
And I think 3d Stereo Is An important step forward to the next gen games.
Why don´t works in Directx 10?
It Could be a hit if Nvidia do something to make it more popular.
Everybody will like play games in 3D, but they dont know about it's existence.
[url="http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=50155"]Lets Do Something About It[/url]
I Have An only question, there is info from Nvidia about geforce 8xxx Stereo Drivers?

All in the forums are rumors but what said Nvidia in fact?

I´m really interested, i just buy a shutterglasses pair an now because my video card is new i cant use it.

And I think 3d Stereo Is An important step forward to the next gen games.

Why don´t works in Directx 10?

It Could be a hit if Nvidia do something to make it more popular.

Everybody will like play games in 3D, but they dont know about it's existence.

Lets Do Something About It

#14
Posted 11/02/2007 03:55 PM   
Whats the difference between those two options in my settings?

Does anyone have suggestions for a guy with a samsung syncmaster 225BW 21" Widescreen LCD? I just spent a fortune on it but want to try this 3d stuff out....

My refresh rate is 60.....would it really be THAT bad? Would it be worse than doing the blue and red glasses rig?

Anyone have any more info on the mirror thing? Should I do that? Oh I forgot to mention I have a Samsung 19' (not widescreen).....would that work with the mirror thing?

Any help would be appricated :) Thanks :)

- Epi
Whats the difference between those two options in my settings?



Does anyone have suggestions for a guy with a samsung syncmaster 225BW 21" Widescreen LCD? I just spent a fortune on it but want to try this 3d stuff out....



My refresh rate is 60.....would it really be THAT bad? Would it be worse than doing the blue and red glasses rig?



Anyone have any more info on the mirror thing? Should I do that? Oh I forgot to mention I have a Samsung 19' (not widescreen).....would that work with the mirror thing?



Any help would be appricated :) Thanks :)



- Epi

#15
Posted 12/20/2007 06:32 PM   
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