NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro Technology uses RF syncing to woo professionals

NVIDIA has a strong lead in PC land with its IR-based GeForce 3D Vision tech, but apparently us lowly consumers aren't enough for the squiggly green eyeball. The company has just announced NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro, which makes use of RF syncing to give the glasses a 150 foot range, along with avoiding some of those line of sight and crosstalk issues that plague the IR glasses used by most 3D-at-home applications. NVIDIA plans to market this new system, which will be out in October, to professionals for tasks such as 3D modeling and medical imaging, and just in case you don't believe them they've priced the glasses at $349 and the RF hub at $399. Still, when have unreasonable costs ever stood between us pesky proles and the 3D nectar we yearn for? There's a press release after the break, along with a video of Siemens putting the glasses to use on some ultrasound imaging.

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NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro Ushers in a New Dimension in Visualization
RF-enabled 3D Stereoscopic Solution Designed for Modern Professional Workstations and Multi-user, Large Scale Visualization Environme

New NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro-glasses and emitter

Create and Explore in True 3D - New NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro

Siemens and Quadro-The Wonders of 3D Imaging demo

NVIDIA Quadro Scalable Visualization Solutions (with Quadro Plex 7000) data sheet (features-benefits)
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - July 27, 2010) - SIGRRAPH 2010 -- NVIDIA (Booth #717) announced today NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ Pro, a new 3D stereoscopic solution empowering engineers, designers, architects and computational chemists who work with complex 3D designs to see their work in greater detail. 3D Vision Pro solutions brings true stereo 3D back to the desktop with support for LCD panels and offers a practical way to provide a rich, reliable 3D viewing experience for large scale visualization environments like video walls and collaborative virtual environments (CAVEs).

Incorporating active shutter glasses and an innovative radio frequency (RF) communication system, 3D Vision Pro solutions delivers the highest quality stereoscopic experience and supports a wide range of use cases:

Individuals can experience 3D on LCD panels at their Quadro powered desktop and mobile workstations
Small groups can view 3D on single or multiple projectors, and
Larger groups can experience 3D on power walls or in theaters driven by NVIDIA Scalable Visualization Solutions (SVS)
3D Vision™ Pro provides long range connections, up to 150 feet, with no cross talk, blind spots, or other transmission issues between multiple systems. As a professional stereoscopic solution, status information is transmitted from the glasses back to the host for effective IT management.

"With the ability to provide valuable insights into complex data, 3D stereo has become one of the core elements of the modern workstation," said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions Group, NVIDIA. "Together, 3D Vision Pro and Quadro solutions bring the highest quality and most immersive 3D experience to enterprise environments."

NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro -- A New Way of Looking at Things
Digital content creation (DCC) artists, product designers, and physicians can see their 'world' in 3D, with perspectives that are significantly richer than traditional two-dimensional views. Physicians, for example, can now view volumetric scans like ultrasound in 3D. Businesses looking to provide large scale visualizations such as popular video walls now have a reliable, enabling technology to deliver that kind of experience.

"NVIDIA is clearly a leader in the field of 3D visualization and has been working on Stereoscopic 3D technology since 1999. With their launch of a professional 3D solution, this technology can easily move beyond the entertainment viewing experience for individual consumers," said Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research. "By providing large scale visualization capabilities and remote management capabilities, NVIDIA is pioneering 3D technology for the enterprise, opening the door for professional users and large scale visualization system integrators to utilize 3D in ways not thought of before."

Key features of NVIDIA 3D Vision™ Pro stereoscopic solutions include:

Active shutter glasses technology that delivers a true progressive image, which preserves the highest quality texture detail and text;
Rechargeable batteries with 20 hours of continuous operation;
Wide range of panel and projector support, and;
A wide range of professional application support.
Professional applications for NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro already available
Companies such as Siemens Healthcare, Agilent, Cineform, and RTT are already embracing NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro technology as an essential element of new solutions they've recently announced:

Siemens Healthcare is now shipping its syngo.fourSight Workplace Imaging Management Solution for Obstetrics. It provides off-system 3D/4D volume manipulation and 2D image and clip review for a variety of Siemens' most powerful ultrasound platforms, assisting in communication with doctors, surgeons, and patients. It may also improve paternal-fetal bonding, and aid in treatment or pre- and post-natal surgical planning.

"Our syngo.fourSight Workplace software, combined with new NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro technology and the latest NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics solutions, makes this an even more compelling image management tool for enhanced patient throughput and department workflow in obstetrical ultrasound," said Barbara Del Prince, worldwide segment manager for OB/GYN, Siemens Healthcare. "Doctors, hospitals and imaging centers now have the most powerful, comprehensive and innovative 3D imaging solution toolset available for volume image manipulation."

Pricing and Availability
NVIDIA 3D Vision™ Pro stereoscopic solutions will be available in October directly from NVIDIA and from authorized resellers such as PNY Technologies at MSRPs of $349 (USD) for the glasses, and $399 (USD) for the RF transmitter hub. For more information on NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro, please visit: www.nvidia.com/object/3d-vision-professional-users.html.

Graphics professionals can experience 3D Vision Pro stereoscopic solutions at SIGGRAPH 2010 in the NVIDIA booth, #717, South Hall, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, from July 27-29, 2010. To learn more, visit: www.nvidia.com/quadro. Follow NVIDIA Quadro on YouTube, and Twitter: @NVIDIAQuadro.

About NVIDIA
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to the power of computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Since then, it has consistently set new standards in visual computing with breathtaking, interactive graphics available on devices ranging from tablets and portable media players to notebooks and workstations. NVIDIA's expertise in programmable GPUs has led to breakthroughs in parallel processing which make supercomputing inexpensive and widely accessible. The company holds more than 1,100 U.S. patents, including ones covering designs and insights which are fundamental to modern computing. For more information, see www.nvidia.com.

Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: the benefits, features, impact and capabilities of NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro, and NVIDIA's leadership in the field of 3D visualization are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: development of more efficient or faster technology; design, manufacturing or software defects; the impact of technological development and competition; changes in consumer preferences and demands; customer adoption of different standards or our competitor's products; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended May 2, 2010. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on NVIDIA's website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

© 2010 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, and 3D Vision Pro, are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

[aliendude5300 Posted Aug 4th 2010 3:55PM]

3D is still just a gimmick, I don't see the point of it at all, but it's kinda cool.

[InspectorEngadget Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:01PM]

@aliendude5300 Won't be long before someone KIRF's it and a much cheaper version finds its way stateside.

[JBerg Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:20PM]

@aliendude5300 : Oh, yawn, "gimmick, gimmick, gimmick". You anti-3D people are becoming nothing more than a bunch of trolls, always waiting for a 3D article to come out an blabber about it being a "gimmick".

Get over yourselves.

It's an optional function. No one is forcing you to watch 3D or buy 3D media, or buy any 3D-related hardware. Quit your bitching and just don't use it if you don't like it.

[bravokiloromeo Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:21PM]

@aliendude5300
I think this high priced update is going to kill it on computers, unfortunately. They should just replace the current model with the new ones at the same price IMO.

[SuiXide Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:28PM]

@aliendude5300

Hmm. The dvd drive on your computer must be a gimmick as well, considering it's OPTIONAL. Just like the keyboard, mouse, monitor, network card, video card, and all the assorted cables. Those must be gimmicks too. Nobody NEEDS the internet, right? Who cares about typing, or seeing anything your computer does? All optional. Hell, the computer itself is optional. Go read a book.

Seriously, STFU about 3D being a gimmick. We get it, nobody likes it. Well, save for the PEOPLE BUYING THE THINGS EVERY DAY.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:28PM]

@JBerg Maybe us "Anti-3d" people are just trying to open sheeple's eyes to the fact that they are being sold 30 year old technology that has made 0 improvements over the last 30 years other than becoming cheaper to make because of Digital Video.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:29PM]

@SuiXide u need to look up the definition of gimmick

[JBerg Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:50PM]

@SirNoDroin : So, using ridiculously biased phrases like "sheeple" and "gimmick" is somehow equated to "educating" people? First you insult them and then you put down what is a totally **optional** function as a gimmick when it's blatantly obvious to even the casual observer that the tech companies aren't letting this go away?

Yeah, okay. I hope you don't work in the educational sector with that kind of attitude.

[Chibi Chaingun Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:14PM]

@SirNoDroin

No improvements over 30 years? Does 1080p (or even higher) images to each eye mean nothing to you? 3D works better the crisper each image is. Try harder.

[MisterWarmth Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:36PM]

They need to make the base station double as a lube dispenser.

[atc9000 Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:40PM]

@aliendude5300 I have the NVIDIA vision glasses and its good. But at that price they can fuck right off..

[WiredEarp Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:40PM]

@SirNoDroin As mentioned by other posters, you know nothing about what you are talking about.

Firstly, stereoscopic ('3D') is not the same as being able to look around the scene by moving your head (head tracking). Conflating the two technologies isn't going to gain you any credibility.

If you want head tracking 3d, just buy a TrackIR and add it to your 3d glasses. Problem solved - now you have stereo 3d, AND can look around to get 3D parallax effects.

I dont believe they had 3d games 30 years ago, so there was no need for this technology. This tech is not really important for movies IMHO, but for games and simulations, it makes a big difference in terms of immersion.

[seeloesix Posted Aug 4th 2010 7:34PM]

@WiredEarp

I hadn't heard about trackIR, sounds pretty awesome..I have the nvidia vision kit,loving it so far, definitely not "gimmicky", but not worth the price hike, 150ft should be standard :)

it's unfortunate trackIRs list of supported games is pretty weak. I would like to see this implemented more...

[WiredEarp Posted Aug 5th 2010 3:37AM]

@seeloesix Yep, TrackIR is really a great accessories for sims etc, but I'd like to see head tracking (not just TrackIR, there is also Freetrack that does the same thing for free using a webcam) more widely supported by other games. ARMA and ARMA 2 are about the only FPS's I know of that currently support it. You can hack it into any game by making the trackir emulate the mouse, but then you suffer from drift and lose the accurate positioning that makes TrackIR so good.

FSX with TrackIR and 3d glasses is excellent.

@Zombo and Hazdaz, Nvidia SUCKS for supporting 3d. They bring out a solution, let it languish, change their drivers so it no longer works, then repeat the whole process to force everyone to reinvest in new hardware. Thats the reason I haven't upgraded my eDimensional glasses to 3D Vision yet...

[d0mth0ma5 Posted Aug 4th 2010 3:56PM]

I guess this would be of benefit to surgeons and the like. I still don't buy consumer 3D outside of the cinema and other "special events" like the occasional sporting fixture. Oh, but nature shows would be incredible.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:04PM]

@d0mth0ma5 what benifit? having a 2d image "pop out" at you?

They sell this stuff like its a holograph, its not, its still a 2d image with pseudo-depth

[SlimSpaceman Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:21PM]

@SirNoDroin When done properly, the depth should feel natural; equal to looking an a physical scene from a certain perspective.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:24PM]

@d0mth0ma5 but it can't be done, you only can emulate DoF and foreground background focus, its a 2d image, your eyes can't choose what you are focusing on, the screen decides. In holographs your eyes are focusing, thus creating a true sense of depth.

[SuiXide Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:30PM]

@SirNoDroin

Wrong.

L4D2 in 3d is the greatest. It takes getting used to because I'm used to being able to focus clearly at everything on screen, but to look at the butt of my gun, or off into the distance? I have to re-focus my eyes to do so. Sure it may be 'fake' but if you want real, go outside and quit complaining.

[Chibi Chaingun Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:43PM]

@SirNoDroin

You have no idea what you are talking about.

The 3D image you get w/ 3D Vision is full on depth created by your eyes converging and focusing on two perspectives. It's not cardboard cut outs popping out of the screen. Say a character is on screen, every curvature of their body has depth on its own. It works exactly the same way we see depth in real life. Ask your optometrist about it. I have. They even have a 3D test to give people that can't see 3D well. It test the convergence of their eyes by putting on polarized 3D glasses and looking at various 3D images. Maybe you should get tested.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:48PM]

@SuiXide sounds to me like you are more interested in rationalizing your purchase, using subjective, unquantifiable arguments like "L4D2 in 3d is the greatest." makes for a weak debate.

Your eyes are focusing on a single focal point (the screen). The focus of objects on the screen don't change based on if you are looking at them or not, the engine decides what is in focus and what is not, the same as if you were watching a traditional 2d screen. Both 2d and 3d FPS break away from what the true human eye can naturally see and both foreground and background are in focus (hold your arm up like a gun in a FPS, then view in the distance, you will see that you arm goes WAY out of focus). The guns focus doesn't change when you look in the middle of the screen, even in 3d, its just a emulated effect.

If you like it, that's great. I'm not even talking about the consumer market in the tread. All I'm saying is that seeing a "3-d" medical image is nothing more than a marketing gimmick, it's "popping out" of the screen, if you tilt you head, the angle of the object doesn't change, it doesn't allow you to focus on different parts or whatever, like you can if you were looking at an object in real life, or, as i said before, a hologram.

It provides no added value than looking at the object on a traditional 2d screen, the very definition of a marketing gimmick.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:52PM]

@Chibi Chaingun

ummm no,

you are seeing a image of converging and focusing on two perspectives that a camera or render has made. Its the equivalent of being forced to focus and look at something through someone else eyes. When you focus on an object near you, or far away from you, your eyes make tiny adjustments to put the object of your desire in focus. The image on the screen doesn't change based on what you are trying to focus on, the image has already been rendered with a focal point created, you have no control over this.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:55PM]

@Chibi Chaingun

do this, hold a pen in-front of your face, focus on it. That's image one.

Now holding the pen in-front of your face still, focus in the distance, thats a whole diffrent image.

In this world of pseudo-3d you are only given one of these 2 images, and you have no control over which one, the camera/rendering engine does.

[Chibi Chaingun Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:04PM]

@SirNoDroin

In S3D (stereo 3D) games, you are fed two images. It's up to your eyes and your brain to converge them. Just like in real life. It's clear you have never played a S3D game because if you did you would know that where you look is literally changing the convergence of your eyes. There are even convergence settings as well. You can mess with these and can give yourself a head ache because your eyes strain from unnatural convergence limits. Nvidia hides these settings and they have to be activated by the user because the potential for eye strain.

Tilting your head to see a different perspective of the medical image does not mean it's not a S3D image. That means that it doesn't have head-tracking, which can be done. In real life, that's not what gives you a stereoscopic image anyways. Seeing things move relative to how far they are from you is just ANOTHER cue for depth. We have two eyeballs for a reason; to see depth w/out having to bob our heads around lookin' like damn fools. :)

[Chibi Chaingun Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:11PM]

@SirNoDroin

Ummmm no.

You do realize the difference between pre-rendered 3D movies and rendering in 3D in real-time right? There is no camera focus, no pre-determined focal point. You're eyes converge on what they want to focus on based on where you look. You're simply misinformed.

[JBerg Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:03PM]

@Chibi Chaingun : He's not misinformed. He's just ridiculously desperate to try to convince people of his asinine anti-3D position so that he can keep calling it a "gimmick".

[iBrebu Posted Aug 4th 2010 3:58PM]

Not interested...It uses glasses.

[InspectorEngadget Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:03PM]

@iBrebu Yeah. I'm waiting for the holodeck too.

[OrsonX Posted Aug 4th 2010 3:59PM]

Mmmm, 3D goodness

Avatar was WOW, but I wasn't compelled by the tech.

However, this week I had a go of a Sony 200Hz 3D TV showing American Football in 3D.....

cheerleaders in 3D = :)

[kapanak Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:29PM]

@OrsonX

Um...there is no such thing as a 200Hz TV...it is 240Hz.

Still, 3D is cool.

[OrsonX Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:55PM]

@kapanak

The man in the shop & Google beg to differ:

Sony Bravia HX803 3D TV.... 200Hz

[fel Posted Aug 4th 2010 8:48PM]

@OrsonX
you must be in the US.

[fel Posted Aug 4th 2010 8:49PM]

must not be rather

[OrsonX Posted Aug 5th 2010 6:23AM]

@fel

UK... where TVs refresh more slowly, it would seem!

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:03PM]

I don't see the benefits, its still a 2d image. Holographs are useful, this is a gimmick.

[SlimSpaceman Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:24PM]

@SirNoDroin A gimmick? No. A questionable enhancement? Indeed.

[Chibi Chaingun Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:51PM]

@SirNoDroin

You don't see the benefit of seeing depth?

Here is how it is a benefit: Look outside. Close one eye. You do not see depth cues associated w/ seeing from two perspectives (that's why we have two eyes). Open the other eye, your eyes converge together to focus on objects that are closer and further from you. You are looking from two perspectives (each eye), thus depth. This works exactly the same way. Two perspectives are fed to each eye, your eyes focus on objects.. Bam! You have depth.

[Graham J Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:15PM]

It's amazing how much two LCD pixels and an IR LED/phototransistor or radio cost these days.

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:25PM]

@Graham J BUT ITS POLARIZED!!!!!!!! POLARIZZZZZEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDD

[r3loaded Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:52PM]

@SirNoDroin Actually, it's active shutter tech here. So no polarization :)

And you need to stop spamming about 3D being a gimmick as well. I'm no fan of 3D, particularly in TV (hurts my eyes and my head), but that doesn't mean I trash it at every opportunity. It might actually have a seriously good use in medical imaging.

[Brokinarrow Posted Aug 5th 2010 3:49PM]

@r3loaded - Additionally not everyone gets headaches and such from it, and some people simply love it.

I don't like iPhones or most of what Apple puts out, but I don't go around on every Apple post trashing Apple either... give it a rest Sir

[Wag Posted Aug 4th 2010 4:25PM]

Doctor during first 3D tele-surgery:

Wow! Look at how lifelike everything is... Whoops! All you really need is 1 testicle anyways...

[SirNoDroin Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:02PM]

@JBerg but being called a troll is ok?

[JBerg Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:12PM]

@SirNoDroin : And your definition would be what? The only time you anti-3D people come out is when something new or information about 3D appears, then suddenly ...

"OH, GIMMICK! It's a gimmick! It's just a gimmick! Gimmick, gimmick, gimmick!"

The fact that you people are so offended by what is an OPTIONAL enhancement to existing visual mediums and the fact that you look for every opportunity that you can to vilify it ... yes, THAT is a troll.

[Hazdaz Posted Aug 4th 2010 5:43PM]

Are you shitting me with that price???

3D shutter glasses used to cost $100 like 10+ years ago, so why the hell are they over 3X as expensive now?!?

This is ridiculous.

[Chibi Chaingun Posted Aug 5th 2010 1:10PM]

@Hazdaz

In the case of nVidia 3D Vision (consumer model), you're also paying for on-going software support and them working with game developers and video software to make their products 3D Vision ready. $199 for the kit, but you also get upgrades like new 3D video players, new drivers, new compatibilities for games and/or displays. I got a Viewsonic 3D Projector for $400 new on Amazon and a 3D Vision kit, for a grand total of $600, really just to play with. It runs on my 8800 GTS video card just fine. The projector doubles as our movie projector too.

[Zombo Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:01PM]

I also don't understand why a relatively old and established tech like shutter glasses got MORE expensive the longer they've been around . I want to see 3D find it's niche market so I can buy into it a few years down the road when there's some content , but with the shutter glasses being so expensive and one brand unable to work with other makes of dvd players and tvs it seems they're shooting themselves in the foot on competing formats as well as price !

[Hazdaz Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:18PM]

@Zombo

Absolutely agree. I sometimes wonder if these companies purposefully TRY to sabotage these technologies by either over pricing components or having incompatible versions... or in this case, both.

[mukatuna Posted Aug 4th 2010 10:18PM]

Is aricle really newsworthy? IR or RF... makes no difference, 3D still needs those stupid glasses. No thanks!

[blckman Posted Aug 5th 2010 11:22AM]

I just don't understand why isn't anyone discussing how expensive this hardware is. That's my question. We know that these glasses have been out for a while, bur every time I witness someone put these on in the store, they look at the price value and walk away. 3D will be here for a minute, but there needs to be another price point for me. Peace...