Acer's 3D-capable Aspire laptop leaks
The 3D-ready Acer Aspire 5738DG.
(Credit: pcpro.co.uk)A handful of bloggers have taken note of the Acer Aspire 5738DG, mentioned on that global PC brand's New Zealand Web site. This 15.6-inch laptop is notable for including a 3D-capable display.
Unlike Nvidia's 3D Vision setup, which requires specially powered glasses, one of a handful of approved 120Hz LCD monitors, and a specific desktop GPU with a dual-link DVI connection, the Acer version is a bit simpler. According to a hands-on report from Pocket-link.com, it utilizes a pair of polarized glassed, a special screen coating, and some custom Acer software apps, called 3D CineReal and TriDef.
These apps will apparently work with specially encoded video and photo files, and also will be able to convert some PC games from 2D to 3D. We've seen the technology in action, very briefly, and while it doesn't come close to the Nvidia version, which requires a lot more specialized hardware, we did see some reasonably decent 3D effects. PCPro.co.uk says, "It works well...(but) you need to have your head positioned carefully to see the 3D effects without ghosting."
We've also been playing around with Nvidia's 3D Vision technology recently, and while cumbersome, under the right circumstances the effect is close to amazing.
The official blurb on acer.co.nz reads as follows:
The Aspire 5738DG is Acer's first 3D notebook. Featuring Intel? Centrino2 Processor technology, up to 4GB memory and 3rd generation Dolby Home Theatre, you are now able to watch 3-D movies in the comfort of your own notebook. From RRP $1999 inc GST.
That works out to a bit under $1,500 in U.S. dollars, and we'll have to wait to see if the Aspire 5738DG is going to turn up stateside anytime soon. Between this, James Cameron's upcoming Avatar film, and Nvidia's 3D Vision, there's an awful lot of interest in 3D media lately. For more on that, check out this roundtable discussion on 3D technology I took part in on CNBC back in August.
New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan. 
Most anyone who wear glasses daily can easily disagree with that statement. Most of the people I know who wear glasses don't seem at all encumbered by them
however, as someone who wears glasses, I can tell you I find wearing 3D glasses + my normal glasses cumbersome. :/
I can also say NVidia 3D Vision is awesome.
IMHO 3D seems like more of a gimmicky marketing push. Buy all new TV's w/ the newest best 3D features, get new movies and past favorites in 3D. Maybe I'm the exception and maybe my mind will be changed when I see this stuff, but right now I just don't care if my entertainment is in 3D. I'm not a fan of the 3D style of movie making where shots need to be filmed in a certain style to emphasize the 3D effect or they are forced into a movie (I suppose that's more of a gripe with movies that go 3D and non 3D). 3D could be fun for the fam & kids movie nights but I'm not going to shell out for new equipment (if required) that only sees occasional use, I'd rather take them to the theater. Just my $0.02
Some people don't like 3d because of these reasons, but they are trying to convince us that so many feel this way that 3d will die out. Not going to happen. Sorry.
@tonhogg: 3D hurts everyone's eyes (you may be too young to recall) when done incorrectly (as it was in the begining) because it causes the eyes to strain on focusing on objects that aren't really there but appear to be. New technology has shown that when we stay within these limits then the overall effect is less straining.
@Xiro: agreed! Until it's a more instant/portable solution it woun't quiet catch on at the home front and it'll remain a gimic for the cinema. Once they have a fully 3d screen or projected image then maybe we have something... Also, maybe incorporate some holography to get a combined effect but holography needs major advancements as well.
Here you go astronaught, strap in, strap on, push, and be careful NOT to get stuck from the suction.
HAHAHA
Seriously, I'll hold out for the 3D HDTVs from Philips - sans glasses.
- by allo1977 October 15, 2009 6:41 PM PDT
- I WANT A 3D SCREEN WITH NO GLASSES THEN WE HAVE HIGH TECH
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