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3D High Definition TV is here!
Page 3

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! There are now two possibilities:

  1. If you own an XBox 360 or Playstation 3 all you need is to purchase "AVATAR the Game" and our 3D-30 Kit. Just set the display option in AVATAR to "Full Checkerboard" and turn on the TV's 3D-mode. But for watching 3D movies you may still want to hook up a PC to your TV.
  2. If you can hook up a PC to your 3D-Ready HDTV you can also purchase our our 3D-30 Kit as long as your PC has the needed graphics hardware.

Step 2: PC Video Hardware Check

Most fairly new PC's will support 3D video to your 3D-Ready TV, especially if the PC has an HDMI socket. PC's that do not have an HDMI port will also work if it has a DVI connector (Digital Video Interface), but you will have to purchase a DVI to HDMI cable.

The other considerations will no doubt be satisfied if your PC has a video card with a DVI or HDMI output: it runs Windows XP or VISTA and has a moderately fast CPU (at least 1 GHz). Your PC graphics also has to support Microsoft DirectX 9 or better, but your PC would have to be very old not to satisfy this requirement. If your PC is XP and does not have Direct X version 9 you can download it here: MicroSoft DirectX 9 Page



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 (may not be needed for Vista OS)
  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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