NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision review - Final words and conclusion

Final words and conclusion

So I have to admit after playing and fooling around with the kit for a couple of days now, I do seem to like it a lot. The best way of describing this technology is that it is adding a new level of depth to your gaming experience. The perception of depth in game is intriguing, interesting and really a lot of fun.

Playing tricks on your brain also has a side effect, since you are looking and actively participating in a 3D environment, that grey matter of yours will tend to get much more active and get tired. I tell you, playing longer than an hour in 3D is absolutely fun... but (at least for me) tiresome. It's not just the depth perception being the bigger factor there, no you constantly have to refocus with your eyes a little when you look from left to right for example. But well, you get used to everything I guess and in the long run your brain will get used to this experience as well. I mentioned it in the article a little, ghosting is a tiny bit of an issue as well. Though admittedly... it's nothing huge and really a lot better then everything we have tested in the past.

But yeah, overall the technology is properly implemented and a heck of a lot of fun.

Now, I've invited some mates of mine to check out the technology as well, and while they were playing I observed them.  All three of them had the initial wow factor as well. They all felt that this is an enjoyable and good working, properly implemented set of shutter glasses. They feel it's much better than everything we have seen in the past. Two out of the three guys however stated that while enjoying this experience, they would probably not buy this kit. It was too complex on their eyes and mind. These two, both after 15-20 minutes, caved in and had had enough. One other guy was really into it. And when I asked him if he'd buy a kit like that he said he'd definitely opt for it.

When I asked the last guy the following question, would you pay 475 EUR for both the monitor and 3D shutter glasses kit? His answer was no without any hesitation. He felt that it's just not worth that kind of money. And that's exactly in line with the generic consensus I have and had prepared for this conclusion.

NVIDIA's 3D Vision kit is fun, it adds a niche factor to your gaming experience. But for the very same reasons it had in 2003, it's just not for everybody.

NVIDIA did good though. They are striving for the best possible quality and that shows. The combo of the Samsung 120 Hz LCD monitor and this kit is done properly. The 3D experience works really well, provided you have a decent performing graphics card though. The 3D shutter glasses kit itself is of course done really well. No longer do we see the nerdy glasses, these look like a set of sunglasses. The glasses are comfortable and very important, can be worn over prescription glasses or in combo with contact lenses. We like the fact that you can charge the glasses with a little USB cable, and with the push of a button 3D gaming is enabled. No more need for weird hotkey combinations either, in the past you had to activate 3D with a hotkey combo. Also the scroll-wheel on the back of the IR transmitter is golden as well. Here you can quickly fine-tune how much depth you want in the game, as it differs per person how much a person can actually take or get used to. NVIDIA made the entire process really easy to use.

Also, and I just wanted to add this in the conclusion, 3D stereoscopic imagery does not end with playing games. There is a big world out there loaded with 3D photos and movies, this kit can be utilized for that as well.

And that has to be my conclusion, the GeForce 3D stereo kit is done well, really well. It is very complete and well thought through. But the fact remains that we doubt a little that there's a large crowd out there that is willing to pay 475 EUR for it, making it once again a product for a very small user base. Purchase the glasses alone, and you are still out 175 EUR. Also, 3D stereo gaming is not for everybody, if anything the entire history of kits like these have proven that. But sure... this kit works as advertised, and where other kits have failed in the past... this is a colossal step forward and the overall implementation just works out really well.

But my man, if you feel it is worth the money, then sure... it is fun, oh heck yeah, a lot of fun!

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