New Acer Display Converts 2D Images into 3D

On Tuesday Acer revealed a 27-inch 3D LED-backlit LCD display featuring "new advances in 3D technology" that allows it to convert any 2D content into 3D on the fly thanks to an "innovative chip-based solution." That means consumers can watch their favorite movies, videos, photos and games in 3D by using just the new monitor -- no extra software is required. You simply enable or disable the feature via the on-screen display.

"This allows regular movies and traditional photos and videos to be enjoyed in a completely new way," the company said. "In addition, it works with any graphics card, so popular PC games can now be viewed in eye-popping 3D."

On the hardware side, the new Acer monitor supports a native 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, a 2ms response time (GTG), 250 cd/m2 brightness, and 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio (dynamic). Other features include two HDMI ports, a VGA port, integrated speakers, Energy Star Certification, and an angle adjustable stand.

Unfortunately, this isn't a glasses-free solution. Acer's display will come packed with a set of polarized glasses made from composite materials for a lightweight comfortable fit. The film-patterned retarder technology used in both the screen and glasses supposedly enables a flicker-free 3D viewing experience, reduced eye strain, fatigue and headaches.

"[This is accomplished] by separating left/right images so only one image reaches the left or right lens at a time," the company said. "It also eliminates ghosting, since the display and glasses don't need to synchronize. Slightly larger than first generation 3D glasses, they provide a wider viewing area and increased external light blocking."

The 27-inch Acer HR274H 3D LCD is available for U.S. customers at leading retailers for $599 USD. It includes a three-year parts and labor limited warranty.

  • alhanelem
    why are so many monitors limited to 1080P?
    you'd think a 27" LED monitor would at least have a resolution of 1920 X 1200
    Reply
  • kristoffe
    cents on the dollar. an extra 120 pixels means big money in volume rollouts of 1,000,000 monitors. I do agree with you though, I always have 1920x1200 for my monitors if I can for a menu or tool set when building 2d/3d and even win/mac main toolbar.

    I got a great 28" 1920x1200 i-inc for $279 - $15 rebate then they disappeared. what an amazing monitor. and a V7 24" x1200. 3d version? how cool would that be sub $400?
    Reply
  • Thunderfox
    Converting 2d to 3d... yeah. In realtime, no less. I imagine it screws with the shadows and distorts the angle of the picture just enough to trick your eyes into some sort of limited depth perception, but there is no way to create a truly stereoscopic image from a plain flat picture.
    Reply
  • tanjo
    alhanelemwhy are so many monitors limited to 1080P?you'd think a 27" LED monitor would at least have a resolution of 1920 X 1200Since the display will mostly be used for movies (or at least that's the target), a native resolution of 1080p is used for best display quality. For 1200 displays, they have to stretch the content vertically which may distort it or create artifacts... but for a PC display the more pixels the better :D

    I wonder what a Win7 desktop looks like when you force 3D on it?
    Reply
  • wiyosaya
    Personally, I have no interest in a technology like this; no thanks, Acer. IMHO, it is "fake" 3D at best. And at that price, my money is best spent on a higher quality monitor. I'm not lining Acer's pockets with my money just because they included a gimmick, er, um, buzz word, in their monitor.
    Reply
  • fuc
    samsung s27a750d the best monitor ever!!!
    Reply
  • wererat
    I have no interest in "2d to 3d conversion" but I am excited about this monitor because it handles proper 3d content just as well.

    A 27" passive 3d screen is quite good, and 3d Vision Blog indicates it'll actually work with the Nvidia "3DTV Play" drivers (prior passive 3d monitors from LG, Zalman, etc. only worked with the Tridef "DDD" drivers.) Unfortunately most of the news articles focus on the least useful feature.

    The only downside is the price; at this price level I'd rather pick up a 32" Vizio passive 3d TV.

    I'm still waiting for the obligatory "3d is a gimmick" comment.
    Reply
  • jgutz2006
    alhanelemwhy are so many monitors limited to 1080P?you'd think a 27" LED monitor would at least have a resolution of 1920 X 1200
    I agree with this, I think that 3d will end up just another spec, standard equipment in future devices but not until the industry can just agree on standardizations. I dont care if they settle on 2 or 3, one for glassesless, active and passive shutters but i want to be able to use my generic or Sony glasses on my buddies samsung 3d TV. I made a commend on 4K UHD TV's just the other day, i think its time for manufacturers to mass produce 4096x2160 or 2160P displays and get them to reasonable prices, somewhere where LCD/Plasma displays were 6 years ago. That is what i want, im sick of 1920x1080 and the amazing pixel densities of the small smartphones/tablets tell me that this resolution is very possible. Toshiba has a 55" 4096x2160 ( http://hothardware.com/News/Toshiba-Reveals-55-4K-x-2K-HDTV-Supports-GlassesFree-3D/ )
    Reply
  • alidan
    ThunderfoxConverting 2d to 3d... yeah. In realtime, no less. I imagine it screws with the shadows and distorts the angle of the picture just enough to trick your eyes into some sort of limited depth perception, but there is no way to create a truly stereoscopic image from a plain flat picture.
    you can, and its been done before.

    but doing it well in reall time? no.
    tanjoSince the display will mostly be used for movies (or at least that's the target), a native resolution of 1080p is used for best display quality. For 1200 displays, they have to stretch the content vertically which may distort it or create artifacts... but for a PC display the more pixels the better I wonder what a Win7 desktop looks like when you force 3D on it?
    noting gets distorted, if it doesnt use those pixles they are just black. i use mine as a tv/dvd player at times out side of the pc.
    Reply
  • dark_lord69
    DAMN!!... I knew it would be expensive!
    Reply