Hello people! Today I am here to bring an amazing solution to a problem many AMD Video card users face. As everyone with an AMD video card will know, there are very limited options for 3D gaming or entertainment. Everyone who dreamed of 3D gaming with an AMD card will have surely met with disappointment seeing how NVIDIA's dominance in 3D gaming has left us AMD gamers with no quality options.
The current status:-
Currently, if you own an AMD card and wish to play games in 3D you have the following options:
1. Hooking up a 3d TV via hdmi and using AMD HD3D using a 3rd party software like Tridef.
2. Using AMD HD3d certified monitors like Samsung 950D, etc
3. Using Nvidia 3D Vision certified monitors which support HDMI 3D (like Acer HN274H) and have built in 3d emitters.
Of the above only option 2 offers the best experience as you are not limited to HDMI restrictions of 720p@60 or 1080p@24. However the problem is its almost impossible to find an HD3D certified monitor unlike 3D Vision monitors. The only HD3D monitor currently available are the Samsung monitors 750D and 950D. However they are expensive and their quality is not what you would call the best. Moreover, they are no longer supported by Samsung.
My Solution
About a week back I had myself asked a question on this forum on how I could get 3D working on an Nvidia monitor with an AMD card. However, I like I had feared, there was no solution.
However I was determined to find a solution as I knew it was not impossible and believed that we required no special monitors for 3D gaming. So now after about a week from my first question on this forum, I have finally got 3D working on AMD card with a 3D Vision monitor which totally blows away normal AMD HD3D methods and equals if not surpass Nvidia's 3D Vision technology!
Since I myself didn't have a capable PC and parts, I sought help from my friend. So all the testing has been done on my friend's rig.
Here is what you need:
1. Any 120Hz+ monitor in the world whether it be Nvidia 3D Vision enabled or not. I used the Asus VG248QE monitor
2. Any AMD video card capable of stereo 3D. I used a dual AMD 7970 Crossfire config.
3. 1 pair of Xpand Youniversal glasses (Optional. For the best experience)
4. A DVI sync stripper with emitter kit
5. Tridef 3D Software
Procedure:
1. First of all, for the best experience, you will need to the Xpand Youniversal 3D glasses. Here is a link to their site: http://www.xpand.me/products/youniversal-3d-glasses/
You may find them cheap on Amazon or ebay or buy directly from them. Its just $99 a pair. It's available in various sizes too.
2. Then you will need to buy a a 3D emitter kit. You guys must have heard of 3DTV Corp. They have been selling a lot of the 3D products for 3D TV's and stuff. They have a special PC emitter kit which comes with a pair of 3D glasses (hence why step 1 is optional), a DVI sync stripper with an IR emitter and some cables. Their website will definitely look very non professional and shady but they are the real deal. They have excellent support and you get immediate responses. Or you could buy their product from ebay too (However much more expensive by about $85).
Here is their website: http://www.3dmagic.com/
Here is their product page: http://ahugq.vcfpq.servertrust.com/product_p/pcirk.htm
Alternative ebay link(with 2 pairs of glasses): http://www.ebay.com/itm/160868149343?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D160868149343%26_rdc%3D1
If you do not want the glasses in the kit, you can contact 3DTV Corp via email available on their website.
3. Once you have the emitter kit, connect the sync stripper between your PC and your monitor using a Dual Link DVI cable. You will need to use one dual link cable to connect the PC to the sync stripper and another one to connect the stripper to the monitor. You get one dual link cable with the kit.
Instruction manual : http://www.3dmagic.com/pdf/DSS%20Manual%20%204-24-11%20Final.pdf
4. Connect the mini USB cable coming from the sync stripper to the IR emitter in the kit. You don't need to connect a separate power cable to the emitter's optional power input.
5. Set your desktop resolution to the one you want and the refresh rate to 120Hz or more.
6. You will need to buy the Tridef software. If you have an AMD card, you get a 50% discount. So the final price is $25. Here is the link to get the discounted product: http://www.tridef.com/cart/pages.php?pageid=5
7. Install Tridef 3D. After installation, a display setup control panel will be launched. In the Monitor type, select Standard display types. In the monitor model option, select Direct 3D Stereo 120 Hz.
8. Pres the on/off button on the emitter. The sync signal LED should glow green.
9. Place the emitter on top of your monitor or somewhere where your glasses will get unobstructed signal from the emitter. If there is anything blocking the line of sight b/w the 3D glasses and emitter, the glasses will lose sync. This is true of even 3D Vision technology due to the limitation of IR waves.
10. Now if you have bought the Xpand glasses, download and install Xpand's PC application here: http://www.xpand.me/products/youniversal-3d-glasses/youniversal-pc-application/
Connect your Xpand glasses to the PC (read its manual) and upgrade your firmware with the PC application. What's really cool about this PC application is that it allows you to fine tune the glasses shutter timings and delays to give the best 3D experience you can get by eliminating ghosting. More on that later.
11. Activate your 3D glasses by bringing them close to the emitter and switch them on and then wear them. (the Xpand glasses or the glasses that come with the kit) The Xpand glasses will automatically detect the right IR protocol.
12. Launch Tridef ignition from the PC and search for installed games and apply appropriate Tridef profile if available and start the game and turn on 3D in game using Tridef keyboard shortcut. Kindly search online for Tridef tutorials.
13. Finally! You have it! Enjoy mind blowing 3D!
14. Read on for more tweaking and Nvidia Lightboost on an AMD card!!!
Troubleshooting:
1. If you see weird 3D effects: The left and right images may be swapped. Press the L/R button on the emitter to swap left and right shuttering of the glasses.
2. If you see ghosting: If you have Xpand glasses, you are in luck. You can use the PC application once the glasses are connected to the PC to adjust the opening and closing delays. Just slide the bars up and down to increase and decrease delay respectively. However this is a trial and error method but once you find the sweet spot, you will love it.
Note: If you increase opening delay, but do not increase the closing delay by the same amount, the brightness of the image may decrease. However you may get an image with less ghosting.
3. If brightness is too low: Increase your Monitor brightness to the Max.
Nvidia Lightboost on 3D Vision ready monitors with AMD card!!!
If you have heard about lightboost, you will know it was Nvidia's answer to solve dark 3D images. However you require lightboost compatible 3D Vision monitors and an Nvidia card (until now).
There have been many hacks to enable lightboost even in 2D mode for CRT like smoothness in picture quality. However they still needed an Nvidia card.
However a user from hardforums found a way to get Lightboost working even on Radeons ! But you will need to use the monitor with an Nvidia card once for a one time activation of the lightboost feature. Here is the link to the hack: http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1039680623&postcount=884
You can then use lightboost with an AMD card for both 3D and 2D gaming. The result is amazing with brighter 3D gaming and unbelievably smooth 2D gaming.
Note: You will need a Lightboost supported monitor for the Lightboost hack
My feedback:
I am totally mind blown! I can't believe that I had an experience at least as good as Nvidia 3D vision if not better. If Nvidia didn't go about with its monopolistic influence in the 3D monitor market, we AMD users would not have to settle for cheaper options. However now with this method you do not have to make any compromises other than the initial setup and a slightly higher cost compared to Nvidia's solution.
If anyone is looking for a 3D monitor, I would definitely suggest the 24 inch Asus VG248QE. It supports refresh rates up to 144Hz and also supports Nvidia Lightboost. And it's incredibly cheap too! It's just $269.99 on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313
I would like to hear feedback from you guys if you have tried my method. I am sure at someone will definitely find this useful. And sorry for the really long post
The current status:-
Currently, if you own an AMD card and wish to play games in 3D you have the following options:
1. Hooking up a 3d TV via hdmi and using AMD HD3D using a 3rd party software like Tridef.
2. Using AMD HD3d certified monitors like Samsung 950D, etc
3. Using Nvidia 3D Vision certified monitors which support HDMI 3D (like Acer HN274H) and have built in 3d emitters.
Of the above only option 2 offers the best experience as you are not limited to HDMI restrictions of 720p@60 or 1080p@24. However the problem is its almost impossible to find an HD3D certified monitor unlike 3D Vision monitors. The only HD3D monitor currently available are the Samsung monitors 750D and 950D. However they are expensive and their quality is not what you would call the best. Moreover, they are no longer supported by Samsung.
My Solution
About a week back I had myself asked a question on this forum on how I could get 3D working on an Nvidia monitor with an AMD card. However, I like I had feared, there was no solution.
However I was determined to find a solution as I knew it was not impossible and believed that we required no special monitors for 3D gaming. So now after about a week from my first question on this forum, I have finally got 3D working on AMD card with a 3D Vision monitor which totally blows away normal AMD HD3D methods and equals if not surpass Nvidia's 3D Vision technology!
Since I myself didn't have a capable PC and parts, I sought help from my friend. So all the testing has been done on my friend's rig.
Here is what you need:
1. Any 120Hz+ monitor in the world whether it be Nvidia 3D Vision enabled or not. I used the Asus VG248QE monitor
2. Any AMD video card capable of stereo 3D. I used a dual AMD 7970 Crossfire config.
3. 1 pair of Xpand Youniversal glasses (Optional. For the best experience)
4. A DVI sync stripper with emitter kit
5. Tridef 3D Software
Procedure:
1. First of all, for the best experience, you will need to the Xpand Youniversal 3D glasses. Here is a link to their site: http://www.xpand.me/products/youniversal-3d-glasses/
You may find them cheap on Amazon or ebay or buy directly from them. Its just $99 a pair. It's available in various sizes too.
2. Then you will need to buy a a 3D emitter kit. You guys must have heard of 3DTV Corp. They have been selling a lot of the 3D products for 3D TV's and stuff. They have a special PC emitter kit which comes with a pair of 3D glasses (hence why step 1 is optional), a DVI sync stripper with an IR emitter and some cables. Their website will definitely look very non professional and shady but they are the real deal. They have excellent support and you get immediate responses. Or you could buy their product from ebay too (However much more expensive by about $85).
Here is their website: http://www.3dmagic.com/
Here is their product page: http://ahugq.vcfpq.servertrust.com/product_p/pcirk.htm
Alternative ebay link(with 2 pairs of glasses): http://www.ebay.com/itm/160868149343?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D160868149343%26_rdc%3D1
If you do not want the glasses in the kit, you can contact 3DTV Corp via email available on their website.
3. Once you have the emitter kit, connect the sync stripper between your PC and your monitor using a Dual Link DVI cable. You will need to use one dual link cable to connect the PC to the sync stripper and another one to connect the stripper to the monitor. You get one dual link cable with the kit.
Instruction manual : http://www.3dmagic.com/pdf/DSS%20Manual%20%204-24-11%20Final.pdf
4. Connect the mini USB cable coming from the sync stripper to the IR emitter in the kit. You don't need to connect a separate power cable to the emitter's optional power input.
5. Set your desktop resolution to the one you want and the refresh rate to 120Hz or more.
6. You will need to buy the Tridef software. If you have an AMD card, you get a 50% discount. So the final price is $25. Here is the link to get the discounted product: http://www.tridef.com/cart/pages.php?pageid=5
7. Install Tridef 3D. After installation, a display setup control panel will be launched. In the Monitor type, select Standard display types. In the monitor model option, select Direct 3D Stereo 120 Hz.
8. Pres the on/off button on the emitter. The sync signal LED should glow green.
9. Place the emitter on top of your monitor or somewhere where your glasses will get unobstructed signal from the emitter. If there is anything blocking the line of sight b/w the 3D glasses and emitter, the glasses will lose sync. This is true of even 3D Vision technology due to the limitation of IR waves.
10. Now if you have bought the Xpand glasses, download and install Xpand's PC application here: http://www.xpand.me/products/youniversal-3d-glasses/youniversal-pc-application/
Connect your Xpand glasses to the PC (read its manual) and upgrade your firmware with the PC application. What's really cool about this PC application is that it allows you to fine tune the glasses shutter timings and delays to give the best 3D experience you can get by eliminating ghosting. More on that later.
11. Activate your 3D glasses by bringing them close to the emitter and switch them on and then wear them. (the Xpand glasses or the glasses that come with the kit) The Xpand glasses will automatically detect the right IR protocol.
12. Launch Tridef ignition from the PC and search for installed games and apply appropriate Tridef profile if available and start the game and turn on 3D in game using Tridef keyboard shortcut. Kindly search online for Tridef tutorials.
13. Finally! You have it! Enjoy mind blowing 3D!
14. Read on for more tweaking and Nvidia Lightboost on an AMD card!!!
Troubleshooting:
1. If you see weird 3D effects: The left and right images may be swapped. Press the L/R button on the emitter to swap left and right shuttering of the glasses.
2. If you see ghosting: If you have Xpand glasses, you are in luck. You can use the PC application once the glasses are connected to the PC to adjust the opening and closing delays. Just slide the bars up and down to increase and decrease delay respectively. However this is a trial and error method but once you find the sweet spot, you will love it.
Note: If you increase opening delay, but do not increase the closing delay by the same amount, the brightness of the image may decrease. However you may get an image with less ghosting.
3. If brightness is too low: Increase your Monitor brightness to the Max.
Nvidia Lightboost on 3D Vision ready monitors with AMD card!!!
If you have heard about lightboost, you will know it was Nvidia's answer to solve dark 3D images. However you require lightboost compatible 3D Vision monitors and an Nvidia card (until now).
There have been many hacks to enable lightboost even in 2D mode for CRT like smoothness in picture quality. However they still needed an Nvidia card.
However a user from hardforums found a way to get Lightboost working even on Radeons ! But you will need to use the monitor with an Nvidia card once for a one time activation of the lightboost feature. Here is the link to the hack: http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1039680623&postcount=884
You can then use lightboost with an AMD card for both 3D and 2D gaming. The result is amazing with brighter 3D gaming and unbelievably smooth 2D gaming.
Note: You will need a Lightboost supported monitor for the Lightboost hack
My feedback:
I am totally mind blown! I can't believe that I had an experience at least as good as Nvidia 3D vision if not better. If Nvidia didn't go about with its monopolistic influence in the 3D monitor market, we AMD users would not have to settle for cheaper options. However now with this method you do not have to make any compromises other than the initial setup and a slightly higher cost compared to Nvidia's solution.
If anyone is looking for a 3D monitor, I would definitely suggest the 24 inch Asus VG248QE. It supports refresh rates up to 144Hz and also supports Nvidia Lightboost. And it's incredibly cheap too! It's just $269.99 on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313
I would like to hear feedback from you guys if you have tried my method. I am sure at someone will definitely find this useful. And sorry for the really long post