Introduction

Over the past five years, stereo glasses or shutter glasses have been in the limelight repeatedly, but have not been exceptionally successful. This was mainly due to the unproven technology which resulted in too many disadvantages for the user. With the ELSA 3D REVELATOR, normal PC monitors can now display images with an astounding three-dimensional IMAX-like reality to the standard PC.

The technology behind it.

To generate the third dimension effect, the graphic driver receives instructions from the 3D game to draw a three-dimentional scene from the game. Depending on their distance (i.e. their Z value), objects will be moved to the left or the right, and images with the correct perspective for the left and the right will be calculated consecutively.

While the computer is working on the next scene, these images are shown in sequence.

The image for the left eye is shown while the right LCD is darkened, then the image for the right eye is shown with a darkened left LCD.

This process repeats itself 120 times a second, ensuring an absolutely fluid display with 60 images per second per eye.

All calculations are effected within fractions of second by the graphic driver itself, so that no adaptation of the game is required.

The lack of speed of the eye and the fact that the LCDs, unlike the monitor, are outside the eye focal range ensure that practically no flicker is perceptible. The user thus sees a true three-dimensional image.

All of this is based on the assumption that each eye views an image that is correct from its own angle combined to the slowness of the eye. The human eye is so slow that a 24 frames per second movie doesn't allow the eye to perceive any flicker. Therefore, with a sufficiently high frame rate while closing the other eye, a truly spatial impression will result for as long as the frame rate is high enough to ensure that the eye does not register the individual images.

An important point to bear in mind is the fact that all the above only apply for peoples with a perfect viewing condition. Therefore, those who cannot see stereoscopically because of incorrect positioning of the eye, refractive anomalies or other reasons will not be able to train the required sensory capability needed to see the 3D spatial effect of these glasses.

The requirements

Unfortunately, in order to work, the 3D REVELATOR needs to be attached to either an ELSA Victory II, ELSA ERAZOR II or ELSA ERAZOR II graphic card. None of the other graphic card on the market will work with these glasses as the 3D REVELATOR driver installation software will check for the presence of one of these graphic cards.

On the monitor side, the 3D spatial effect is best viewed on a 17 inches monitor capable to sustain a refresh rate of at least 120Hz to avoid any flicker. Tests with refresh rates as low as 85Hz have been conducted with very satisfying results.

The prerequisite is for a game to be displayed in true 3D is that the game uses the so called Z values or the Z buffer.

Z values will normally take on a value between 0 and 1, in which 0 is "in the very forefront" (approximately the position of the screen) and 1 is 'in the far background". Using these values, the graphic driver recognizes the distance between the objects and the viewer is able to edit the perspective for both eyes.

The performances or the viewing results

Honestly, I've been amazed by the reality of the 3D effects generated by the 3D REVELATOR. Using these glasses really gives the impression of being immersed into the game. With the 3D REVELATOR, I didn't had the feeling of being just a simple spectator as I've always been before while playing so called 3D games but to be truly part of the game... To get a better judgement of these glasses, I passed them to my two sons and their bunch of friends. They not only were all amazed by the results but they all came to the same conclusion and said the these glasses are really giving the effect that some of the things they were looking at were looking so real that it was like if the were up front of the monitor or coming out of the monitor...

Conclusions

If you already own a ELSA ERAZOR II or plan to buy one, or even better, you wish to upgrade to an ERAZOR III then these glasses are for you as they will make of one of these graphic card the best improvement you can get for your money. For as long as you get a good pair of eyes in perfect viewing conditions, the 3D REVELATOR will blow you mind of realism and unsuspected sensation from any games using the Z value. As far as I'm concerned, as soon as a game uses the Z buffer, I now play it by wearing my ELSA 3D REVELATOR glasses for more realism and playing pleasure...

Please visit ELSA Web site for more information.

REQUIREMENTS
System: PC with Pentium II, Pentium III or AMD K6-2 CPU
(as recomended by 3D applications)

Graphics Board: ELSA VICTORY II, ELSA WINNER II, ELSA ERAZOR II OR ERAZOR III

Monitor: any monitor capable of minimum 100 Hz refresh rate in the desired resolution (minimum) (some individuals may experience minor screen flicker)

Monitor: any monitor capable of minimum 120 Hz refresh rate in the desired resolution (recomended)

PACKAGE CONTENT

• Comprehensive user manual
• Service Warranty 1 year
• ELSA 3D REVELATOR CD
• Stereo adapter
• Adapter cable for connecting ELSA 3D REVELATOR to the your ELSA graphics accelerator card