New 3-D monitor seeks to wipe out past stigma

For most of us the term 3-D conjures up memories of watching rubber aliens at drive-in theaters behind a cardboard pair of red and blue glasses. San Diego-based Neurok Optics LLC is determined to erase that image and get gamers excited about 3-D's possibilities.

They are currently ramping up production on their iz3D monitor, the first 3-D monitor designed exclusively for gamers.

3-D is certainly not new to the gaming industry. On the contrary, there have been quite a few companies that have ventured into the 3-D arena; however a trip to your local electronics store tells the tale of their failure. Tried once and brought back to their point of sale, the returned boxes of these 3-D devices stand as a testament to their inability to meet expectations.

That's why I approached the iz3D with trepidation. Fortunately I discovered that my reservations were unfounded. On first impression, the iz3D monitor's image quality is superior to any other 3-D device I've tried. Unlike other 3-D gadgets, there was no flickering and I did not suffer from any of the adverse side effects that can often accompany viewing 3-D displays. There was a slight doubling of images far off in the distance. However, as David Chechelashvilli, VP of marketing for Neurok, demonstrated, the iz3D allows you to easily adjust the image until it is perfect for you.

Chechelashvilli explained that the iz3D takes two LCD panels and stacks them on top of each other. He went on that the back LCD panel "stores the normal image while the front panel uses a modified polarization" technique. From there, iz3D's proprietary algorithm calculates the differences between the "modified front and back" images to replicate how our brain perceives depth.

The result is a rich display that brings new life to games like Grand Theft Auto IV. Having played this title numerous times I was not prepared for the difference the iz3D monitor made to the game play. Shrubbery in the foreground popped off the screen while buildings in the distance blended in with the horizon.

For now it seems as if Neurok is on the right track to finally bringing quality 3-D to the gaming industry. Unfortunately there is still one hurdle that they must overcome: the stigma brought on by years of B-rated science fiction movies and the slew of poor products.

Chechelashvilli said Neurok plans to combat "the bad baggage 3-D has" by "educating the marketplace that this [iz3D] is different. We understand the mistakes that have been made; we don't want to repeat the mistakes."

Neurok is also helping to erase the stains of the past by putting their monitors front and center in some prominent pro-gaming leagues such as the Global Gaming League (GGL). During this year's E3, iz3D monitors were used in the GGL's 5v5 CounterStrike tournament. This was met with rousing success and, as Ted Owen, founder and chairman of GGL, put it, "We are extremely excited to have the iz3D monitor for use in our All Star tournament. 3-D gaming is no longer a far-off dream. This unit demonstrates the unbelievable realism possible that 3-D viewing presents to the gaming industry."

Neurok is also making moves toward supporting ATI cards. Chechelashvilli told me that they are currently about a month or two away from providing drivers for ATI users. This would also be good news for the gaming industry since nVidia has been the only graphics chipset maker to support 3-D devices to date. It also means that Neurok won't automatically hamstring itself by choosing to make a product that is supported by only one-third of the market.

While Neurok has laid the foundation for a rebirth of the 3-D market, this groundwork comes with a hefty price tag. With an MSRP of $1,299, the iz3D is by no means cheap. However, considering you are not only getting two high quality 17" LCD monitors, but also a slew of complex hardware and proprietary software in one box, I'd say that the price seems justifiable.

Bear in mind Neurok Optics are no strangers to 3-D imaging. The company first ventured into the market in 2001 with their Smartron monitors. Using a similar stacked LCD panel configuration as the iz3D, the Smartron could be used without the aid of special glasses. Primarily used in medical imaging, the company later sought to find a military application for this technology. However, as Chechelashvilli laments, "This is why we decided to focus on the gaming market, because sales cycles are so long in the military, it basically kills a small company. We are still going to pursue the military market, but only with partners who are able to do integration work."

For now Neurok Optics is happy with the move to the gaming market. "[We] want to encourage gamers to give the iz3D a try," Chechelashvilli says. "It's an entirely different gaming experience and will really change your whole perspective on games. The closest example I can give you is that color replaced black and white, now 3-D will replace 2-D."