Confused with 3D Vision VS 3DTV Play
This is both a question and criticism. I'm a professional in IT and although I'm not familiar with these technologies, I feel it shouldn't take me so long to understand NVIDIA's products. I spent so many hours researching this stuff and only now I think I'm starting to understand how these products interact.

The terms used to name their products are confusing and there's not enough information out there that clearly explains the big picture. This critique isn't coming from a place of anger but I feel NVIDIA would increase sales with better information.

Anyway, tell me if this is correct.
- 3D Vision is a bundle of shutter glasses, an IR emiter and a driver that allows you to see 3D content on display devices not compatible with HDMI 1.4.
- 3DTV Play is a driver that allows you to see 3D content on HDMI 1.4 display devices that include their own glasses. 

Now, 3D Vision also uses 3DTV Play to show 3D content and 3DTV Play is actually marketed within 3D Vision in the website and forums. I don't understand why since they're used for different devices.

These are the differences between using 3D Vision and devices using 3DTV Play. 
- 3D Vision allows 3D surround, HDMI 1.4 devices can't (why not support HDMI 1.4 devices with 3D Vision as well?)
- HDMI 1.4 devices can't use 3D Vision glasses
- HDMI 1.4 devices can be used with other HDMI 1.4 sources

Both have access to the same content on the pc.

Is anything off with these statements? I'm trying to decide between an HDMI 1.4 device and one pre-HDMI 1.4. The former is actually cheaper and has the same specs but I was thrown off when I read it wasn't compatible with 3D Vision only to realize it souldn't make a difference because it's on the compatibility list for 3DTV Play. Am I on the right track here?

Sorry for the long post... I'm confused :)
This is both a question and criticism. I'm a professional in IT and although I'm not familiar with these technologies, I feel it shouldn't take me so long to understand NVIDIA's products. I spent so many hours researching this stuff and only now I think I'm starting to understand how these products interact.



The terms used to name their products are confusing and there's not enough information out there that clearly explains the big picture. This critique isn't coming from a place of anger but I feel NVIDIA would increase sales with better information.



Anyway, tell me if this is correct.

- 3D Vision is a bundle of shutter glasses, an IR emiter and a driver that allows you to see 3D content on display devices not compatible with HDMI 1.4.

- 3DTV Play is a driver that allows you to see 3D content on HDMI 1.4 display devices that include their own glasses. 



Now, 3D Vision also uses 3DTV Play to show 3D content and 3DTV Play is actually marketed within 3D Vision in the website and forums. I don't understand why since they're used for different devices.



These are the differences between using 3D Vision and devices using 3DTV Play. 

- 3D Vision allows 3D surround, HDMI 1.4 devices can't (why not support HDMI 1.4 devices with 3D Vision as well?)

- HDMI 1.4 devices can't use 3D Vision glasses

- HDMI 1.4 devices can be used with other HDMI 1.4 sources



Both have access to the same content on the pc.



Is anything off with these statements? I'm trying to decide between an HDMI 1.4 device and one pre-HDMI 1.4. The former is actually cheaper and has the same specs but I was thrown off when I read it wasn't compatible with 3D Vision only to realize it souldn't make a difference because it's on the compatibility list for 3DTV Play. Am I on the right track here?



Sorry for the long post... I'm confused :)

#1
Posted 10/31/2011 01:23 AM   
If you have bought 3DVision, you can also use a HDMI 1.4a compatible TV set (with their own glasses, though, you cannot use the emitter or the 3DVision glasses in that case).

You also have to understand, that the HDMI 1.4a compatible TV set is always inferior to a 120Hz monitor with a 3DVision set. The reason is that HDMI 1.4a is basically equivalent to a single-link DVI connection, while a 120Hz monitor uses a dual-link DVI connection.

The difference is that when using 3D, you're limited to 720p on a 3D TV set, or you have to use 24 Hz (24Hz with 1080p) which is even worse. A single DVI link (or HDMI 1.4a) just can't transfer more data than this.

On a 120Hz monitor with 3DVision you can play and use 3D with 60 Hz in full resolution (typically 1920x1080).

3DTV is just a cheap deal to get simple 3D with the limitation mentioned above without having to buy the full 3D emitter set.
If you have bought 3DVision, you can also use a HDMI 1.4a compatible TV set (with their own glasses, though, you cannot use the emitter or the 3DVision glasses in that case).



You also have to understand, that the HDMI 1.4a compatible TV set is always inferior to a 120Hz monitor with a 3DVision set. The reason is that HDMI 1.4a is basically equivalent to a single-link DVI connection, while a 120Hz monitor uses a dual-link DVI connection.



The difference is that when using 3D, you're limited to 720p on a 3D TV set, or you have to use 24 Hz (24Hz with 1080p) which is even worse. A single DVI link (or HDMI 1.4a) just can't transfer more data than this.



On a 120Hz monitor with 3DVision you can play and use 3D with 60 Hz in full resolution (typically 1920x1080).



3DTV is just a cheap deal to get simple 3D with the limitation mentioned above without having to buy the full 3D emitter set.

#2
Posted 10/31/2011 05:53 AM   
Hi Smig

In regards to this line

- 3D Vision is a bundle of shutter glasses, an IR emiter and a driver that allows you to see 3D content on display devices not compatible with HDMI 1.4.

That's not the most accurate way to think about it. 3D Vision was introduced before HDMI 1.4 and was designed to work on any screen that could play back 3D content, this included HDMI 1.3, VGA and Dual Link DVI screens, It's HDMI 1.4 that is deliberately not compatible with 3D Vision.

The reason for this is HDMI 1.4 is very specifically designed for 3D TV shows, 3D blue ray movies and consoles(the most profitable markets), there is no consideration what's so ever for PC gaming in the design.(technically it doesn't have the bandwidth needed for 120 frames per second at 1920x1080)

As such 3DTV Play had to be separate from 3D Vision due to the 'handshake' system needed for each TV. The system also uses frame packing (which employs artificial saturation and over sharpening for some reason /bloated.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':X' /> ) in 720p at 60Hz which looks terrible , I don't recommend 3DTV to anyone as it's restricted to a console mode.

Two years ago I started with the Samsung 2233rx 22" 120Hz dual link DVI screen but I found this to be too small. I then moved to the Viewsonic PJD6381 projector which connected from the computer via dual link DVI to VGA on the projector, this was great but it developed a lot of dead pixels. So I then got the Samsung PS50C7000 50" plasma. This screen supports checkerboard mode and I use that with 3D Vision (not 3DTV Play) with a mod called 'rollermod' to make the TV look like HDMI 1.3 to my computer (I bought the TV after finding rollermod).

In my experience your options are as follows.

A 3D TV used in conjunction with rollermod. The TV has too support checkerboard and the only 2011 models (that I'm aware of) are high-end Samsung LED's

A 3D projector, two considerations, recently released 1080p projectors using HDMI 1.4 have the same problem as tv's, you'll want something like the ACER 5360 which runs in 720p (gets lots of good feedback on the forums (search 5360). The other consideration is I found the projector was only good for movies and games, for general computer use I had a second computer with a standard monitor.
(This looks interesting as well, possible 1080p dual link dvi projector http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=213839 /shock.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':shock:' /> (i just found it looking up something else!)

The third option is a proper 120Hz 3D vision compatible computer monitor. I would look at the 27" Acer HN274H and ASUS VG278H. (Sony are releasing a 3D screen for the PS3 but its a TV and not compatible with 3D Vision, they give the impression its a computer monitor but it's not. It's just a 27" TV)

The difference between a computer monitor and TV in regards to all this, is a monitor features dual link DVI a TV doesn't.

Hope that helps /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':smile:' />
Hi Smig



In regards to this line



- 3D Vision is a bundle of shutter glasses, an IR emiter and a driver that allows you to see 3D content on display devices not compatible with HDMI 1.4.



That's not the most accurate way to think about it. 3D Vision was introduced before HDMI 1.4 and was designed to work on any screen that could play back 3D content, this included HDMI 1.3, VGA and Dual Link DVI screens, It's HDMI 1.4 that is deliberately not compatible with 3D Vision.



The reason for this is HDMI 1.4 is very specifically designed for 3D TV shows, 3D blue ray movies and consoles(the most profitable markets), there is no consideration what's so ever for PC gaming in the design.(technically it doesn't have the bandwidth needed for 120 frames per second at 1920x1080)



As such 3DTV Play had to be separate from 3D Vision due to the 'handshake' system needed for each TV. The system also uses frame packing (which employs artificial saturation and over sharpening for some reason /bloated.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':X' /> ) in 720p at 60Hz which looks terrible , I don't recommend 3DTV to anyone as it's restricted to a console mode.



Two years ago I started with the Samsung 2233rx 22" 120Hz dual link DVI screen but I found this to be too small. I then moved to the Viewsonic PJD6381 projector which connected from the computer via dual link DVI to VGA on the projector, this was great but it developed a lot of dead pixels. So I then got the Samsung PS50C7000 50" plasma. This screen supports checkerboard mode and I use that with 3D Vision (not 3DTV Play) with a mod called 'rollermod' to make the TV look like HDMI 1.3 to my computer (I bought the TV after finding rollermod).



In my experience your options are as follows.



A 3D TV used in conjunction with rollermod. The TV has too support checkerboard and the only 2011 models (that I'm aware of) are high-end Samsung LED's



A 3D projector, two considerations, recently released 1080p projectors using HDMI 1.4 have the same problem as tv's, you'll want something like the ACER 5360 which runs in 720p (gets lots of good feedback on the forums (search 5360). The other consideration is I found the projector was only good for movies and games, for general computer use I had a second computer with a standard monitor.

(This looks interesting as well, possible 1080p dual link dvi projector http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=213839 /shock.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':shock:' /> (i just found it looking up something else!)



The third option is a proper 120Hz 3D vision compatible computer monitor. I would look at the 27" Acer HN274H and ASUS VG278H. (Sony are releasing a 3D screen for the PS3 but its a TV and not compatible with 3D Vision, they give the impression its a computer monitor but it's not. It's just a 27" TV)



The difference between a computer monitor and TV in regards to all this, is a monitor features dual link DVI a TV doesn't.



Hope that helps /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':smile:' />

#3
Posted 10/31/2011 07:16 AM   
Here's a great website to read.

If it doesnt make sense after reading this website, please respond back.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/3dtv-play-compare.html
Here's a great website to read.



If it doesnt make sense after reading this website, please respond back.



http://www.nvidia.com/object/3dtv-play-compare.html

#4
Posted 10/31/2011 04:28 PM   
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