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3D High Definition TV is here!
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Setups: A minimum test configuration

Okay: you looked at the back of your brand new HDTV and discover that it has a 3D-Sync socket! Cool! You didn't know it, but you bought a 3D-Ready HDTV. So now you want to test it to see if it is a great as I say it is. But you also want to spend as little money as possible! So you only spent about $60 for an eDimensional "Wireless Upgrade Kit." Or you may decide to purchase the very excellent 3-D DLP® Starter Pack after checking the Dynamic Digital Depth company's Starter Pack system requirements.

Step 2: PC Video Card

It is time to look at your PC. Here is the most important requirement. Your PC must have a graphics card with a DVI connector (Digital Video Interface). (Note: a DVI connector is not needed for 3D-Projectors, only for 3D Ready HDTV's). If your PC has a seperate graphics card instead of integrated graphics on the motherboard, and the card has a DVI connector you should be good to go. (GeForce 7100 motherboard graphics chipset may also be successful - 2/2/08).

The other considerations will no doubt be satisfied if your PC has this kind of card: it runs Windows XP or VISTA and has a moderately fast CPU (at least 1 GHz). Your PC also has DirectX 9 graphics drivers installed. To check this just click "START" and then "RUN" from your Windows desktop. Type "dxdiag" in the "run" box. The program will tell you what you need to know. There is probably no need to buy a new PC, at least not for just checking out your 3D-Ready HDTV. You don't even need a DVD drive for now.



Step 3: Free Software Downloads

Here is the good news: All the software you need to test your new 3D-HDTV is FREE! The bad news? None really. Only when you see how great this system works you will be hooked, guaranteed. Then you will want to purchase the licensed version of StereoPlayer. Don't worry. It will only set you back $50. So here is what you do.
  1. Download the FREE trial version of StereoPlayer (Version 1.2.1) from www.3DTV.at
  2. While you are at 3DTV.AT download the FREE GPL MPGEG-1/2 Decoder
  3. You will also want to download the FREE AC3Filter (for audio)
These are fairly small files and are easy to install. Install all three of these programs on your PC. The free version of StereoPlayer will play for five minutes, which is plenty enough time to check out your system.

Step 4: Stereo Movies!

On page one I described the awesome UNESCO "Upper Middle Rhine Valley" travelogue. This movie, however, is an 822 MegaByte download. You probably want to start with a smaller video file. I would suggest "Summer in Heidelberg" which is a 182 MegaByte download. Make a note of whether you are downloading the "side by side" or "over/under" 3D format.

Software Setup

You will only have to do this once. Run the StereoPlayer and click "FILES-->SETTINGS." The window to the left will appear. Click the tab which is marked "Decoder." Click on the arrow in the "Video Decoder" box and you will find the GPL decoder as shown. Do the same with the Audio Decoder box to load the AC3Filter as shown.

Software Setup 2

Now this is the cool part. In the same "Settings" box click on the tab labeled "Playback." Click on the arrow of the "Stereoscopic" box. Scroll down until you find the 3D Ready TV selection. If your PC will be connected to the internet you can also check the "Contact server when opening ..." check box. This is a very handy option.

Your PC is now ready to hook up to the 3D-HDTV. Next I will go over the cable connections, which could not be much easier.

 
  • Page 1 - Is your HDTV "3D-Ready?"
  • Page 2 - 3D glasses and PC requirements
  • Page 3 - video card and software requirements
  • Page 4 - Hooking up the test
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