| Author | Message | ||
     Eric D.V.H. Rating: N/A |
Hi. I'm a complete newbie to the world of stereoscopy. and I've been thinking of getting an autostereo display. most likely the 15" DTI one. as they've finally come down to earth in terms of price. but am wondering what kind of output the display needs. and what combination of software and hardware creates that. First. exactly what format should the stereoscopic data be in. interlaced? frame by frame? and in which order? as well. what kind of ports, cables, boxes and cards are necessary in order to use an autostereo display? Second. I know that my ProFormance 3+ 32MB(Permedia 3-based) can output stereoscopic video via the VGA and a timing signal through another, smaller port for shutter glasses and such. as well as having something in the drivers to force any RAVE or OpenGL-based program to cough up stereoscopic output. but what relation does an autostereo display have to the computer. and is there any software(Prefferably Mac compatible) that I can use to force stereo output from most titles using a different(Non-Formac) card? Descriptions of rigs and experiences from owners of autostereo displays would be highly appreciated. Eroc, | ||
| stefano mininel Rating: N/A |
Well, I have a DTI 15" at work, on Win2000, in a dual monitor setup with a CRT (card is Asus GeForce2MX 2V1D). I'm not such a stereo expert but I'll try to answer. Stereoscopic data can be almost any: frame sequential (page flipping), field sequential (Hor. interlaced), side by side, top-bottom. Cables are only VGA input and serial cable. The serial cable is basically only for PC command of the monitor, that is switching (commanding from application or from desktop) 2D/3D and which 3D mode. This same commands can be done anyway with the buttons on the monitor. Basically whatever comes in from the VGA input is transformed in the way decided by current mode to become the "vertical interlaced" output of the monitor. So if you "give" by VGA a full screen page-flip game you'll have it 3D (with halved hor. resolution), or if you have a windowed application that shows an interlaced stereo view (like my VTK-based apps) you'll have windowed stereo effect (and the rest of the desktop almost unreadable for halved res!). So ... I haven't really tried with other cards, but basically there shouldn't be need of an nVidia card to have page-flipping, if you have some kind of driver (or your developed application) capable of doing any of the other 3D formats. And your card should go well, no need (I think) to use the timing signal. But be sure your card CAN output stereo when monitor V freq. is set at 60Hz. My experience: very good! Good stereo effect and true multi-user possibility (verified up to 4 viewers). Easy to use. Great with the stereoscopic applet (multiple "virtual" windows on screen are always amazing). Only, if I were you, I'd ask accurately to their support about any possible problem with Mac. I only tried it on Windows and all the drivers are for this OS. I admit my disgusting ignorance but I don't know if conversion from input stereo format to output vertical interlace is computed by the drivers or by a chip internal to the monitor. If first (drivers): no way to have it work w/o Mac drivers of course (unless you develop applications with vert. interlaced stereo output, again VTK can do it). If 2nd (int. chip): you won't have the extra tools and apps for Win they give with the monitor, but it should work. By the way, has price dropped? I bought ours about 1 year ago for 1700$. I hope this helps. Greetings Stefano Mininel | ||
| stefano mininel Rating: N/A |
Me again! Well, your question gave me the right input to try what I sould have tried long ago. I just connected the DTI to my ECS desknote (with its poor SiS 650 graphic chipset) and tried the stereoscope applet and a java-VTK application of a medical isosurface WITHOUT any DTI driver and both work perfectly! Of course only in interlaced stereo mode, because this chipset can't output page-flipping. So, no need of anything special and if your card gives page-flipped output at 60Hz it shoud work! By the way, seeing my laptop connected to this autostereo LCD-TFT display makes me drool seeing a glimpse of the future! ... damn! when DTI will decide to sell patents to a big laptop producer so we'll have laptops with screens switchable to stereo display????? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi, New version of DTI monitor(both 15 inch and 18 inch) should work with MAC. We have tested MAC OS 9, and X, and works fine. Also, we are under develop the mode change command on Mac now. Peobalbly, we can provide that in a few weeks. In addition, even in old version of 18 inch works with Mac. As soon as we finish Mac Demo, you can check on our web site. www.dti3d.com Thanks for your interests Sincerely, Dimension Technologies Inc. | ||
| Eric D.V.H. Rating: N/A |
Wow! full Mac support. thanks a bundle! I can't wait to see it. judging from Stefano's descriptions up there. your monitors practically set themselves up. and the display quality is superb. plus the prices are nearly right on-line with dull old monoscopic monitors. you guys should really consider a full frontal assault on the gaming press. as this looks like the kind of product that will finally take stereoscopy out of the gutters of obscurity. Also. the Macintosh community. as users and developers. are quick on the uptake as far as new technologies and gadgets like this. especially relative to the world of MS Windows PCs. and major attention from Macintosh using 3D designers and gamers might be pretty easy to obtain. I'd suggest you submit your displays for reviews with some of the major magazines and sites: "Inside Mac Games Magazine"(Leading, sole magazine dedicated to Macintosh gaming) http://www.insidemacgames.com/misc/contact_us.php "MacAddict Magazine"(Biggest American consumer/games Macintosh magazine) http://www.macaddict.com/magazine/contact/ "Macworld Magazine"(Foremost professional design Macintosh magazine) http://www.macworld.com/company/contact.html "Architosh"(Premiere Macintosh CAD/CAM/CAE site) http://www.architosh.com/business/press%20information/aboutus.phtml Eric, |
