Nvidia Software to Enable 3D Blu-ray Viewing at Home
Nvidia is helping to enable 3D Blu-ray viewing in the home, extending beyond its current experience with eye-popping videogame imagery. The company will tie its 3D Vision software application to the expected early-2010 launch of the first 3D-capable 1080p PC desktop display from Acer. This display will be 120 hertz, the required speed for viewing and playing today’s 3D games. But Acer will break ground in that it will be the first to additionally output 1080p high-definition video.
To this point, there hasn’t been a desktop display available that offers the combination of 120 hertz speed and Blu-ray-compatible 1080p resolution. Acer is expected to publicly announce its launch plans, including pricing details, for the desktop in the next several days.
People will be able to playback 3D Blu-ray Discs on most existing Blu-ray computer drives, when coupled with the new Acer display and current 3D Vision software, promises Nvidia. Studios have not yet confirmed their first 3D Blu-ray releases, but the product is anticipated to start trickling into stores in 2010.
During an Acer 3D demo on Tuesday in Los Angeles, Nvidia showed how Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment’s G-Force would look in 3D Blu-ray.
Nvidia hopes that Acer offers its 3D Vision as part of a bundled package, matching how Nvidia’s software is often offered with 3D gaming desktop displays. For example, rival manufacturer Asus just began shipping the industry’s first 120 hertz netbook, which comes bundled with Nvidia’s 3D Vision software for $1,699. People also can buy just the netbook, without the 3D Vision support, for $1,499.
Currently, the 3D Vision software renders more than 400 PC games in 3D, including recently launched Batman Arkham Asylum and Avatar the Game.
Nvidia also is working on advancing its 3D Vision software so that it also renders other Web-based properties in 3D. By early 2010, the company plans to offer 3D viewing of Google Earth, photo programs Flickr and Snapfish and streaming site Hulu.
Bryan Del Rizzo, Nvidia senior PR manager of consumer products, believes that the company’s suite of advanced 3D support in the home will eventually prove appealing to the mainstream.
“People’s experience with a lot of 3D films in the home has been lackluster, where the [anaglyph] paper glasses just don’t work,” said Del Rizzo. “It hasn’t been a compelling experience. For this to take off, it really needs to be immersive, with movies and photos and games that add to it too. This is why we think our solution can drive everything forward.”
By Susanne Ault, Video Business
