Output to a 3D TV via dual head DVI hardware + existing laptop scrn at DVinfo.net

Robert Davis · June 3rd, 2010, 05:37 PM

Can the various multiple monitor output technologies be used to drive a 3D screen?

There are solutions to connect more than 2 (two) - e.g. three (3) triple screen conventional 2D displays to a Mac or PC Desktop or Notebook. The displays each display different things - i.e. NOT mirrored duplicates. So this means that a desktop display can be extended over the multiple screens.

There are three kinds of solution:
USB to DVI: plugs into USB port of computer - display signal generate from this and output via DVI, e.g.: Universal Multi-Display Adapter - K33928US - Kensington
For 17" Apple MacBookPro laptops/notebooks Full desktop PCI Express card installed in an enclosure box which then interfaces to the ExpressCard34 (only available on the 17" Pro out of the April2010 3 MacBookPro models): Magma - PCI & PCI Express Expansion Solutions
Custom hardware that attaches to the standard DVI output of the desktop or notebook: Matrox Graphics - Products - Graphics eXpansion Module - DualHead2Go

To me, the Matrox solution looks the best (third listed above) on grounds of cost and performance - using the DVI directly may provide the best sync performance between the display outputs - vital for left and right eye 3D.

So I was thinking, is there a TV, projector or monitor display that accepts two simultaneous DVI inputs: one for left and one for right eye, to provide the 3D? If so, then the matrox solution could be used to generate 3D images from a standard Mac, perhaps some software to send the correct images would be necessary too. Something like: Cineform Neo3D but perhaps cheaper.

Other techniques that could be adapted for this hardware are here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/3d-stere...d-editing.html

And some people have reported more than 3 multiple monitors attached to their Macs: Now Running Three Monitors on MacBook Pro
And here: My MacBook Pro Goes Multimonitor: 4 Monitors At Once!

Thoughts? Discussion?

Primarily looking for a solution that works with a MacBookPro 17", but other readers may also want thoughts on a PC based system.

Steve LaPierre · June 4th, 2010, 07:21 AM

You might want to look at the LG CF3D projector that apparently does 3D with two HDMI 1.3 connections.

LG Press Release | LG ELECTRONICS THINKS OUTSIDE OF THE BOX: UNVEILS WORLD?S FIRST FULL HD 3D PROJECTOR

I believe it is a little too expensive and since it is using two HDMI connections I am assuming it is not compliant with the 3D Blu-ray players so it might be in a limited sales market.

edit: Even though the press release said it would be available in May it doesn't seem to be in reality. On a positive note another article said it uses passive glasses. Of course that would mean a silver screen is needed I would think.

June 3rd, 2010, 05:37 PM	#1
Robert Davis New Boot Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 7	Output to a 3D TV via dual head DVI hardware + existing laptop scrn Can the various multiple monitor output technologies be used to drive a 3D screen? There are solutions to connect more than 2 (two) - e.g. three (3) triple screen conventional 2D displays to a Mac or PC Desktop or Notebook. The displays each display different things - i.e. NOT mirrored duplicates. So this means that a desktop display can be extended over the multiple screens. There are three kinds of solution: USB to DVI: plugs into USB port of computer - display signal generate from this and output via DVI, e.g.: Universal Multi-Display Adapter - K33928US - Kensington For 17" Apple MacBookPro laptops/notebooks Full desktop PCI Express card installed in an enclosure box which then interfaces to the ExpressCard34 (only available on the 17" Pro out of the April2010 3 MacBookPro models): Magma - PCI & PCI Express Expansion Solutions Custom hardware that attaches to the standard DVI output of the desktop or notebook: Matrox Graphics - Products - Graphics eXpansion Module - DualHead2Go To me, the Matrox solution looks the best (third listed above) on grounds of cost and performance - using the DVI directly may provide the best sync performance between the display outputs - vital for left and right eye 3D. So I was thinking, is there a TV, projector or monitor display that accepts two simultaneous DVI inputs: one for left and one for right eye, to provide the 3D? If so, then the matrox solution could be used to generate 3D images from a standard Mac, perhaps some software to send the correct images would be necessary too. Something like: Cineform Neo3D but perhaps cheaper. Other techniques that could be adapted for this hardware are here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/3d-stere...d-editing.html And some people have reported more than 3 multiple monitors attached to their Macs: Now Running Three Monitors on MacBook Pro And here: My MacBook Pro Goes Multimonitor: 4 Monitors At Once! Thoughts? Discussion? Primarily looking for a solution that works with a MacBookPro 17", but other readers may also want thoughts on a PC based system.

June 4th, 2010, 07:21 AM	#2
Steve LaPierre Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 46	You might want to look at the LG CF3D projector that apparently does 3D with two HDMI 1.3 connections. LG Press Release \| LG ELECTRONICS THINKS OUTSIDE OF THE BOX: UNVEILS WORLD?S FIRST FULL HD 3D PROJECTOR I believe it is a little too expensive and since it is using two HDMI connections I am assuming it is not compliant with the 3D Blu-ray players so it might be in a limited sales market. edit: Even though the press release said it would be available in May it doesn't seem to be in reality. On a positive note another article said it uses passive glasses. Of course that would mean a silver screen is needed I would think.